GO TO SOURCE AYODHYA, INDIA, December 18, 2000: Masons assembling the stonework for India’s most controversial Hindu temple in Ayodhya near the demolished Babri Masjid have been ordered to finish their work by March 31. Babri Masjid was built after the temple marking the birthplace of Rama was destroyed by Muslims. Almost daily trucks arrive in the town’s two dedicated…
Source: Hindustan Times LUCKNOW, INDIA, December 28, 2000: Police stopped a 32-year-old widow, Radha Rai, from committing sati — burning herself to death on her husband’s funeral pyre — December 26. Radha, who had dressed as a newly-wed bride, said she had had a dream in which she was directed to commit sati, an ancient practice in some parts of…
Source: The New Straits Times BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, December 16, 2000: Birmingham and Leicester have found themselves in a demographic race to become the first British city with a majority non-white population. In Leicester, with a population of 270,500, the ethnic minority population is expected to surpass its white counterparts as early as 2011. Birmingham is not far behind. Both cities…
Source: Jakarta Post KUDUS, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA, December 18, 2000: The becak (pedicab) is the main mode of transport in this small town of Kudus, 55 kilometers east of the Central Java capital Semarang. Once at the forefront of the spread of Islam, now the town is home to people of all religions. Kudus Tower and Al Aqsa Mosque, or…
GO TO SOURCE LONDON, ENGLAND, December 30, 2000: Bathing in the sacred River Ganga for purification and upliftment is a grand event once every 12 years. Beginning January 6, 2001, BBC Channel 4 in the United Kingdom will be providing Hindu devotees with coverage of the Maha Kumbha Mela where tens of millions of pilgrims, sadhus, and gurus partake in…
GO TO SOURCE KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, December 30, 2000: Inspired to set a record that will never be challenged, 15 jumpers from 5 different countries have conspired to parachute consecutively from Malaysia’s twin Petronas Towers, each 1,483 feet tall. Starting a few seconds before midnight on December 31st, the skydivers plan on successfully landing just past midnight for the actual…
GO TO SOURCE RISHIKESH, INDIA, December 26, 2000: For those interested in receiving the benefits of Panch Karma treatment, an ancient system of cleansing and healing that rebalances body, mind and spirit, Rishikesh College of Ayurveda is hosting such a retreat from February 7th to February 22nd, 2001.
GO TO SOURCE AGARTALA, TRIPURA, December 27, 2000: Baptist insurgents of the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) raided Dalak, a Jamatia-dominated village at night on December 25 and killed Lab Kumar Jamatia, leader of Hoda Okhra, a religious organization of the community, for his refusal to embrace Christianity. Lab Kumar was beaten up severely and died at the…
GO TO SOURCE GUJARAT, INDIA, December 28, 2000: Birthday celebrations for the acclaimed Pandurang Athavale were held last week on the banks of the Narmada River. Marking his 80th birthday and over 46 years of social service, the gathering was attended by over one million followers from all over the world. Promoting social change and healing, Athavale’s philosophy known as…
GO TO SOURCE WASHINGTON, D.C., December 24, 2000: The Washington Post has put together a list of the weirdest wackiest news this year, from all over the world. Two stood out to HPI. First is this one: Art patrons bought up Christie’s entire collection of 60 paintings created by artists that also happen to be elephants, including works by Sao…