Source: Reuters CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, January 27, 2001: An international group of reproductive experts plans to start a serious effort to clone humans to provide children to infertile couples, a U.S. scientist said. A viable embryo, probably using stem cells or other cells taken from the man, could be available for implantation in the woman’s uterus within 18 months, said Dr.…
GO TO SOURCE KUMBHNAGAR, INDIA, January 23: One man is given the responsibility of ensuring that the millions attending the Kumbh Mela have a satisfactory bath. Rising 30 feet above the Sangam confluence, stands a three-story control tower. Special Superintendent of Police, Alok Sharma, is constantly monitoring for danger signs that could bring a crushing stampede. Starting this evening an…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 27, 2001: Stepping into one of the hottest religious controversies in South Asia, the Dalai Lama has joined Hindu leaders in condemning the Muslim and Christian practice of actively seeking converts. “Whether Hindu or Muslim or Christian, whoever tries to convert, it’s wrong, not good,” the Dalai Lama said Thursday after a meeting with…
GO TO SOURCE BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, January 26, 2001: European Union farm ministers will meet next week amid calls for tougher measures to combat the mad cow disease crisis affecting the continent. As consumers lose their confidence in beef, governments will debate whether they should extend compulsory testing of cattle for the brain-wasting disorder to younger animals and ban potentially dangerous…
GO TO SOURCE LONDON, ENGLAND, January 25, 2001: Immigrating from Northern India in 1975, Perween Warsi started her own business over 20 years ago by making and selling samosas from her home in Derby. From this humble beginning her multi-million dollar business now employs 1,300 people in 4 factories. Such a success story confirms Britain Immigration Minister Barbara Roche’s statement,…
GO TO SOURCE EAST JAVA, BALI, INDONESIA, January 22, 2001: An organization in East Java called the Santana Dharm Trama Foundation is appealing for funds to start a priest training program. They say training for suitable candidates is needed in the country and the community feels that trained priests are vital to uphold the tradition. HPI recommends that contributors research…
GO TO SOURCE WASHINGTON, MARYLAND, January 24, 2001: Temple construction may come to a standstill unless an additional US$1.8 million is collected. The North Indian style complex in Metropolitan Washington will include a 25,000 square foot temple, library, multipurpose hall, classrooms, and kitchens. Temple trustee, Shusheal Gupta, is confident that the affluent Hindu community will proceed as they have already…
GO TO SOURCE BARODA, INDIA, January 26, 2001: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj announced today: “Everyone is aware that the earthquake has wrought unimaginable destruction throughout Gujarat and other states in India. Thousands have died and thousands more have been made homeless. As citizens of Ahmedabad it is our duty to work together to do everything we can to help those…
GO TO SOURCE AHMEDABAD, INDIA, January 26, 2001: Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, BAPS, has its international headquarters in Ahmedabad. It has established massive earthquake relief work using scores of other BAPS centers in Gujarat, BAPS has outstanding experience in disaster relief, and is recommended by HPI as an excellent channel for donations to the relief effort, especially considering…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 25, 2001: Here, amid noisy crowds and cold winds laden with the sand of the Ganges, you can hear the sound of weeping from a cowshed-like structure. These are the unheeded cries of elderly women, abandoned by their families. This is the uglier side of the Maha kumbha Mela, where millions go to wash…