Ontario Passes Proclaims November Hindu Heritage Month

Source ONTARIO, CANADA, November 18, 2019 (Legislative Assembly of Ontario): Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Hindu community. Since the first Hindu immigrants arrived in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century, Hindu Canadians from across Ontario have made significant contributions across all fields: science, education, medicine, law, politics, business, culture and sports. They have helped build…

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The Meat Question: Animals, Humans and the Deep History of Food

Source USA, November 18, 2019 (Mitpress): Humans are eating more meat than ever. Despite ubiquitous Sweetgreen franchises and the example set by celebrity vegans, demand for meat is projected to grow at twice the rate of demand for plant-based foods over the next thirty years. Between 1960 and 2010, per capita meat consumption in the developing world more than doubled;…

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Sat Maharaj of Trinidad Passes On

Source TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, November 16, 2019 (Trinidad Express): Champion of many Hindus and Indians in Trinidad and Tobago Satnayaran Maharaj died clasping the Hanuman Chalisa. “In his dying moments he clasped a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa which he always kept in his possession when he was alive,” stated a release from the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) executive and Maharaj’s…

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Puri’s Govardhan Mutt Moved out of Odisha Government’s Control

Source BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, November 16, 2019 (Hindustan Times): The Odisha government passed an amendment to free Puri’s famous Govardhan Math from state control on Saturday following persistent demands by the Puri Shankaracharya. The amendment gives Puri Math parity with the other three Hindu monasteries of Dwarka, Shringeri and Joshimath, all established by Adi Shankaracharya and managed without government interference. Law…

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Daily Inspiration

Source When I think of myself as a body, I am your servant, my Lord; when I think of myself as an individual soul, I am part of you; but when I realize I am atman, you and I become one.— Lord Hanuman in the epic Ramayana

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How the US Military Has Embraced Growing Religious Diversity

Source WASHINGTON, D.C., November 12, 2019 (Religion News by Ronit Stahl): In 1917, when the United States entered World War I, chaplaincy was a majority white and fully Christian organization. No law specifically stated the acceptable religious backgrounds of military chaplains, but only mainline Protestant ministers and Catholic priests wore the insignia of the military’s religious officers. American military chaplains…

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Ekal Vidyalaya Makes History With 100,000-School Milestone

Source NEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 14, 2019 (India Life): November 9, 2019 will remain as the historic day in the annals of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation. On this day, in star-studded, glamour-filled “Future of India” Gala in New York City, Ekal reached a 100,000-schools milestone fund-raising within minutes of its beginning. Going into the gala, Ekal had 99,200 schools and…

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Daily Inspiration

Source Bliss is the dance-stage, bliss is the lyric; bliss are the diverse instruments, bliss is the meaning. The supreme felicity of the universe is bliss for he who yearns for His dance of bliss.— Tirumantiram, a sacred mystical treatise by Rishi Tirumular, verse v. 2725

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Lord Shiva Bathed with Rice at Gangaikondacholapuram

Source JAYANKONDAM, INDIA, November 12, 2019 (Deccan Chronicle): The annual Aippasi Pournami Annaabishekam was performed on the massive Shiva Lingam at the Sri Bragateeshwarar temple at historic Gangaikondacholapuram near Jayankondam in Ariyalur district on Monday. In all 5,500 lbs. of raw rice was cooked for this purpose and poured on the Shiva Lingam and Maha Deepaaraathanai was performed to Lord…

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Book Review: Western Foundations of the Caste System

Source INDIA, December 29, 2018 (India Facts): “Western Foundations of the Caste System” by Martin Farek, Dunkin Jalki, Sufiya Pathan, and Prakash Shah has been published by Palgrave Macmillan. The editors challenge the claim that the caste system was devised by self-serving Brahmans. How could, they ask, a small number of Brahmans be so successful in propagating the caste system…

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