Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, February 23, 2015 (NDTV): Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan today claimed that modern medicine originated in India and that Indians had practiced inoculation against smallpox even before the vaccine for the disease was invented by Edward Jenner. Dr Vardhan, who is himself an ENT surgeon, said that most of what is taken to be…
Source Silence is the first door to spiritual eminence.— Adi Sankara (788-820), in his Vivekachudamani, 368
Source WASHINGTON, USA, February 20, 2015 (Indian Express): Tulsi Gabbard, the first ever Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, will marry cinematographer Abraham Williams in April in a Vedic ceremony, a media report has said. The marriage will take place in Hawaii. The second term Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard, 33, announced her engagement about a month ago. She disclosed…
Source MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, February 17, 2015 (Herald Sun): An investigation has been launched into whether a Craigieburn house is being used as a Hindu temple. But the home’s owner denied the claims when approached by Hume Leader, despite running a Facebook page promoting prayer sessions and taking donations. Craigieburn Mata Mandir is listed on Facebook as a Hindu temple in…
Source Attach yourself to Him who is free from all attachments. Bind yourself to that bond so all other bonds may be broken.— Tirukkural 350
Source LOS ANGELES, USA, February 18, 2015 (The LA Times): One hundred fifty people sat in the big meeting room, hands on laps, eyes closed, feet flat on the floor.”Bring your attention to this moment,” Janice Marturano instructed. “Be open to sensations of warmth or coolness, sensations of fullness from breakfast, or perhaps hunger.” Minutes later, the meditation ended with…
Source CHAKWAL, PAKISTAN, February 18, 2015 (by Nabeel Anwar Dakku, Dawm.com): Preparations are being made at the Katas Raj Temple Complex to receive pilgrims from India, coming to celebrate the Maha Shivaratri, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism. “About 60 pilgrims are arriving from India and will reach Katas Raj on Monday (February 16),” District Coordination Officer (DCO)…
Source HYDERABAD, February 20 2015 (Deccan Chronicle): HPI Note: It is significant that the new state of Telangana (separated off from Andhra Pradesh in 2014) is choosing to have the government continue to administrate Hindu temples, rather than handing them over to Hindus to manage in the same way Christians and Muslims manage their churches and mosques with no government…
Source There are two great forces in the universe, silence and speech. Silence prepares, speech creates. The strength of noise and activity is great. But infinite is the strength of stillness and silence, in which great forces prepare for action. To be capable of silence, stillness and illuminated passivity is to be fit for immortality.— Sri Aurobido (1879-1950)
Source HOUSTON, TEXAS, February 12, 2015 (Sewa International): Sewa International has launched its annual Yuva for Sewa (YFS), 8 to 10-week volunteer summer internship opportunity for college students to travel to India to contribute their time to serve humanity. Since its inception in 2006, 52 YFS youth interns have volunteered their time for healthcare, education, environment, women’s empowerment, rural development,…