Daily Inspiration
Source Arise, awake! Stop not till the goal is reached.— Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), disciple of Sri Ramakrisha
The Simpsons’ Apu: A Stereotype Hiding in Plain Sight
Source UNITED KINGDOM, November 6, 2017 (BBC by Christian Blauvelt): The comedian Hari Kondabolu is trying to wake up TV viewers to how generally accepted the questionable portrayal of the Simpsons’ character, Apu, has been. “After a while, you’d watch The Simpsons on a Sunday and you’d get a sense of how you’d be made fun of at school on…
Malabar Temple Management Board Takes over Thrissur Parthasarathy Temple
Source THRISSUR, INDIA, November 7, 2017 (Kaumudi Global): The Malabar Devaswom Board [see definition below] has taken over the Parthasarathy temple in Guruvayoor despite oppositions from various Hindu organizations. Though the board had come to take over the temple earlier, they had to return following strong oppositions. Malabar Devaswom Board officials arrived Tuesday morning. A team of police also arrived…
State Government Declares Vrindavan, Barsana as Sacred Sites, No Meat and Liquor Shops Allowed
Source UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA, October 28, 2017 (Indian Express): The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday issued an order notifying Vrindavan and Barsana towns in Mathura district as “pavitra teerth sthals” (sacred pilgrimage sites). No meat and liquor shops will be allowed in these towns anymore. Principal Secretary (Religious Affairs) Avinish Kumar Awasthi said: “… from now, meat and liquor shops…
Daily Inspiration
Source We want to claim that which we already are. You are already the Self. You are just not aware of it. Do not put it off based upon some concept that we are not ready, we are not worthy, we need more of this or that. None of those principles apply when it comes to Self-realization.— Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami,…
Their Homes in Disrepair after Harvey, Hindu Community Celebrates Diwali
Source HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 19, 2017 (Chronicle): Last fall, as the days grew shorter and the weather cooled, Sheetal Parwal began preparing her home for Diwali. This year, Parwal and her family will celebrate a holiday meant to bring good fortune and prosperity in a rented apartment – their Katy house sitting gutted miles away after taking on 2 feet…
Rakhine State Govt to Close Displaced Person Camps for Hindus and Ethnic Arakanese
Source SITTWE, MYANMAR, October 30, 2017 (Irrawaddy): The Rakhine State government will close camps for displaced persons who have fled violence in northern Rakhine State by Nov. 2, said the Rakhine State minister for electricity, industry and transportation U Aung Kyaw Zan. According to the minister, camps in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya townships will be closed as the…
Balinese Hindus Make Preparations to Celebrate Galungan Day
Source DENPASAR, BALI, October 26, 2017 (Republika): Balinese Hindus will soon celebrate the Galungan Holy Day on November 1, 2017 and Kuningan on November 11, 2017. The chairman of the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) of Bali Province, I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, appealed to society to observe this year’s religious ceremonies differently keeping in mind the status of Gunung Agung…
Debate on Letting Non-Hindus into Temples Resurfaces in Kerala
Source KERALA, October 25, 2017 (Daily Pioneer): Debate has resurfaced in Kerala over whether non-Hindus who believe in Hindu faith should be allowed to offer worship at Hindu temples with an important temple personality supporting the idea of allowing non-Hindus at the famous Guruvayur temple and major political parties like the CPI(M), CPI and Congress joining the campaign for bringing…
Is India’s Supreme Court Dictating Worship Practice at Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple?
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 28, 2017 (The Print): HPI Note: There is confusion in India over just what the Supreme Court is doing with regard to the temple. The court has yet to issue its formal ruling which will contain its reasoning and actions; once it does the issues should be more clear. This particular news report says the…