Source: Edmonton Journal EDMONTON, ALBERTA, August 17, 2002: A group of thirteen young men ranging in age from twelve to twenty-four were honored with a special samskara or rite of passage — bestowal of the sacred thread — at the North Indian Temple in Alberta, Canada. Entering the temple on the north side, the participants, bare-footed and in yellow robes,…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, September 29, 2002: Beating up children has traditionally been seen as a parental right in India. Even today, dad beats up mom, mom beats up child and child beats up the teddy bear. But experts say it is NOT OK to beat up children. Why do parents use physical means and why is it…
Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur HAMBURG, GERMANY, September 19, 2002: Adolf Hitler was fascinated with Buddhism and Hinduism, and many of his henchmen viewed him as a Krishna-like divine warrior who would cleanse the Earth of “vermin” in a baptism of fire, according to a headline-making new book. The book “Hitler-Buddha-Krishna” is by a controversial Austrian husband-and-wife team of authors who have…
Source: The Hindustan Times MUMBAI, INDIA, September 19, 2002: In tradition-bound India, says this article, if someone claims to be able to levitate or pull a gold chain out of thin air, it does not take long for him to become known as a “Godman.” There are numerous so-called “Miracle Babas” who are just out to get rich by duping…
GO TO SOURCE LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, September 23, 2002: Last January, Wayne Burgett moved his tool manufacturing business into part of a vacant 50,000 square-foot building in the Black Brook Industrial Park in Lowell. Burgett figured it was only a matter of time before some other large firm snatched up what remained of the warehouse-like structure. Burgett has a new neighbor.…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, September 20, 2002: Sexual activity, abortions and deaths from illegal abortions among teens in India is on the rise. Up to 60 million Indian women seek abortions every year. Some 100,000 died last year due to hazardous practices used in embryo removal. Four out of every five who died were 15-19 years old. An…
Source: Deccan Herald JAIPUR, INDIA, September 22, 2002: As many as 108 Muslim families embraced Hinduism again at a village in Ajmer district of Rajasthan, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesman claimed here on Sunday. The Muslims took a vow in the presence of VHP International general secretary Praveen Togadia to follow Hindu traditions and the way of life at Amba…
Source: ndtv.com SARANGPUR HANUMAN, GUJARAT, September 27, 2002):Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the head of the Bochanwasi Swaminarayan sect, today made an appeal for peace and compassion in Gujarat. “What happened in Akshardham should not become an excuse for violence. People should maintain the calm and peace and not take the law into their own hands. God will dispense the justice,” Pramukh…
Source: Hamilton Spectator HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA, September 19, 2002: Before the ruins of a burned-out temple, Hamilton’s Hindu community broke new ground yesterday and vowed to rebuild. About 60 people attended a traditional sod-turning ceremony held on the lawn outside the charred Hindu Samaj Temple. “It’s a great day,” said N. D. (Andy) Patel, the temple’s general secretary. “When people…
Source: United News of Bangladesh DHAKA, INDIA, September 18, 2002: The Trustee Board of Hindu Religious Welfare Trust under the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced a budget of US$378,000 for 2002-2003 fiscal year. The budget was approved at a meeting held here today with State Minister for Religious Affairs and Trustee Board Chairman Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan in the chair.…