Preparations for Janamashtami in Full Swing

GO TO SOURCE JAIPUR, INDIA, August 7, 2001: Though there are five days for Janamashtami to arrive, in this city of Jaipur widespread preparations for the festival have started. The main festival is celebrated in Govind Dev Ji. Here the material of display is being prepared and programs of religious music/bhajans are being held. To celebrate the birthday of Lord…

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2001 Ramayana Conference and Fair in Illinois

GO TO SOURCE DEKALB, ILLINOIS, USA, July 28, 2001: The Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and the International Ramayana Institute of North America will present an Artistic, Cultural and Literary Conference on Ramayana Worldwide, September 21-22, 2001. The International Ramayana Fair, which will include Ramayana performances and workshops for the entire family, will…

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Dancing to Aid Community

GO TO SOURCE CALIFORNIA, USA, Aug. 4, 2001: Last weekend,14-year-old Sharanya Mukhopadhyay performed an Odissi dance at the Federation of Hindus Association’s temple in Diamond Bar, California, to raise funds for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake. Last year, she helped raise funds for the Orissa cyclone and has performed three other times for different causes. “Basically, I want to…

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Parapsychology Foundation Honored

GO TO SOURCE NEW YORK, USA, Aug 4, 2001: Nearly 200 members of the Parapsychological Association, a group of active researchers, honored the foundation’s 50th anniversary this week at an annual convention. Parapsychology is the study of unexplained or paranormal phenomenon. It mostly focuses on dream research, but also includes the study of hauntings, clairvoyance and the occult. Founded in…

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“Phone Home” Gets Easier in Rural India

GO TO SOURCE BANGALORE, INDIA, Aug. 3, 2001: In the seas southwest of here off the coast of southern India, fishermen are already in touch with the dozen-odd seafood markets around here, checking prices at different ports by mobile phone. One fisherman, Ratish Karthikeyan, says that since he acquired his BPL mobile service over a year ago, his profit on…

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Taleban Puts a Stop to Christian Relief Program

GO TO SOURCE AFGHANISTAN, August 5, 2001: Cracking down on any agency or person that might disagree with their Islamic beliefs, Taleban hard-liners have now closed down a Western aid agency called Shelter Now International. After accusing the agency of promoting Christianity to its emergency relief victims, twenty-four members of staff were arrested. Eight have allegedly admitted to the crime.…

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American Hindus Against Defamation Profiled

GO TO SOURCE SAN DIEGO, USA, Aug 4, 2001: Ajay Shah’s family had been associated with the RSS for many decades. Nearly 35 years later, Shah, a scientist with an American firm in San Diego, proudly declares his continuing association with the RSS, and is known for his passionate role in the formation of the watchdog group, American Hindus Against…

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Mumbai Prayer On-Line

Source: Cybernoon MUMBAI, INDIA, August 6, 2001: For the overseas devotees of the elephant-headed Lord of the Siddhi Vinayak Temple here, the decision to make the auspicious arati and puja ceremonies in the temple going on-line, is a reason to rejoice. The temple trustees have joined hands with www.forindia.com to uplink the live Angaraki Puja to be held tomorrow (Tuesday,…

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Canadian Christians Flee to U.S. Because of Child Beating Dispute

Source: Religion News Service AYLMER, ONTARIO, August 4, 2001: A Christian fundamentalist group in Canada has moved their children to Indiana and Ohio in the USA to take advantage of looser laws on corporal punishment. The Canadian authorities forbade them from beating their children with sticks, something the group says is allowed by their Bible. The group may even claim…

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US$34,000 for New Sanskrit Department

Source: Tribune News Service SHIMLA, INDIA, August 3, 2001: The University Grants Commission has sanctioned US$34,000 to Himachal Pradesh University for setting up a department of astrology and a Sanskrit speaking center. This was stated by Dr S.K. Gupta, vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating a two-day National Symposium on Sanskrit today. He said our literary heritage Sanskrit was not only but also…

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