Christians, Muslims Upset Over Tamil Nadu Conversion Decree
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 7, 2002: Christian and Muslim organizations on Monday sharply reacted to the Tamil Nadu Government’s Ordinance banning use of force or inducement in religious conversions in the state. The All India Christian Council (AICC) has threatened to challenge the measure in court. “Forcible or induced conversion is an oxymoron. It is not possible,…
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Receives Gandhi-King Award
GO TO SOURCE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, October 7, 2002: The Gandhi-King Award for Nonviolence was presented to Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in Geneva in recognition of Her lifelong work in furthering the principles of nonviolence. Previous award winners include Nobel Prize honorees Kofi Annan (Secretary-General of the United Nations) in 1999 and Nelson…
Akshardham Temple Reopens After Terrorist Attack
GO TO SOURCE GANDHINAGAR, INDIA, October 7, 2002: On Monday, the Akshardham temple complex at Gandhinagar was a picture of serenity. Throughout the day, people kept filtering in through the main gate and almost all visited the main temple and exhibition halls. Had the metal detectors and armed security personnel been absent, one would not have guessed that this was…
Delhi Children Honor Gandhi’s Birthday
Source: Rajiv Malik DELHI, INDIA, October 3, 2002: A program entitled Peace and Harmony, a Festival of Songs was presented jointly yesterday by the Sarvodaya International Trust, New Delhi Chapter, and India International Centre. Children groups of New Delhi’s eleven prestigious public schools presented songs dedicated to the memory of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The songs were…
Balinese Dance Troupe Commences American Tour
GO TO SOURCE WASHINGTON, D.C., October 1, 2002: Seven of Bali’s top Hindu dancers arrived in the United States recently to commence a five-week national tour beginning October 1 near Washington, D. C. Heading the troupe is one of Bali’s oldest, best known and highly respected dancers, Ni Ketuk Cenik. The Master Dancers of Bali – an exposition of the…
American Students Do Not Want to Dissect Animals
Source: New York Times NEW YORK, U.S.A., October 1, 2002: When 16-year-old Jennifer Watson of Baltimore was removed from her high school honors anatomy class because she refused to dissect a cat, the Humane Society stepped in and requested that dissection alternatives be offered at Kenwood High School. School officials relented when 20 protesters picketed outside Jennifer’s high school. She…
“Get Connected” Youth Event in London, October 26 and 27
GO TO SOURCE LONDON, ENGLAND, October 9, 2002: The year’s second “Get Connected Youth Event organized by Hinduyouthuk is scheduled for October 26 and 27 at Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London N22. Admission is free to the Interactive Zones: Kids, Careers, Culture, Spirituality, Chill-Out, Chat, Health & Vitality and for the Stage acts: Fashion, Dance, Music, Drama. There is a…
Kashmiris Go On Strike over Falwell’s Remarks
GO TO SOURCE SRINIGAR, INDIA, October 7, 2002: The Kashmir valley observed a total shutdown on Monday following angry protests by mobs protesting remarks reportedly made by a Presbyterian minister in the US against the Prophet Mohammed. A derogatory reference to the Prophet reportedly made by Rev. Jerry Falwell during a 60-minute interview on CBS television was published in the…
Brahmins Do Not Have Monopoly to Perform Temple Puja
Source: The Hindustan Times NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 5, 2002: The Supreme Court has ruled that brahmins do not have a monopoly over performing puja in a temple and said a non-brahmin, properly trained and well-versed with the rituals, could be appointed as a pujari (temple priest). “As long as anyone well-versed and properly trained and qualified to perform the…