GO TO SOURCE KOLKATA, INDIA, December 12, 2001: The West Bengal government today passed a bill prohibiting smoking, spitting or consumption of tobacco in public places. The bill, which now awaits the president’s approval, will prohibit smoking and spitting in public auditoriums, hospitals, health institutions, amusement centers, public offices, court buildings, educational institutions, libraries, places of worship, public conveyances and…
GO TO SOURCE November, 2001: This article by Debra Stang gives some concrete suggestions about what to do if you see someone hitting their child. Debra encourages everyone to take a stand against the culturally accepted practice of spanking and advices, “Use your voice — silence is consent.” Eleven suggestions are given including direct confrontation (works most effectively if you…
GO TO SOURCE TAMIL NADU, INDIA, December 11, 2001: Officials in the Salem district of India’s Tamil Nadu state say there is a new awareness among the villagers against the notorious practice of female infanticide after two village couples handed over their newborn baby girls, in front a huge crowd, to Salem’s District Collector. With so many baby girls killed…
GO TO SOURCE UNITED KINGDOM, December 13, 2001: Liberal Democrat David Ward education spokesman in Bradford, one of the towns affected by racial riots earlier this year, has said he would support the abolition of single faith schools. “I believe that prejudice is created when people are kept apart,” he said. The idea of having a quota system for minority…
GO TO SOURCE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES, November 27, 2001: Hindus in Seychelles, a republic consisting of 115 islands located in the southwest of the Indian Ocean, are actively promoting their culture and contributing to the community at large. From coordinating a huge Diwali celebration to stocking a library with Hindu literature, plus affiliating itself with a Council in Africa and…
GO TO SOURCE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES, November 27, 2001: The festival of Diwali was celebrated by Hindus on November 24 with fireworks, prize presentations to children recognized for their knowledge of the Hindu religion, and historical religious plays. Soccer fans from the nearby stadium were luckily able to participate in the fireworks display as they were homeward bound, adding sparkle…
GO TO SOURCE The above “source” will take readers to the BBC report on the impact of ultrasound on fetuses.
GO TO SOURCE DHAKA, BANGLADESH, December 11, 2001: This website publishes a series of reports listing instances of attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh. For example, it reports that on September 20, at the Rajbari Uttar Sahapara village of Pangsha subdistrict of Rajbari District, a group of armed men entered into two Hindu worship halls and demolished the deities there. In…
Source: Kashmir Times JAMMU, INDIA, December 8, 2001: An emergency meeting of Bua Datti Temple committee was held at the temple complex after the conclusion of the annual festival. According to a report from the meeting, surprise was expressed at the behavior of government administrative personnel deployed at the gate of secretariat who unnecessarily harassed the management and devotees entering…
GO TO SOURCE SWEDEN, December 9, 2001: Scientists in Sweden have found evidence ultrasound scans may cause brain damage in unborn babies after they found men whose mothers had tests were more likely to be left-handed. They have concluded some male babies’ central nervous systems might have been affected by the process, and the increase in left-handedness indicated some kind…