Daily Inspiration
Source Whatever defect I have in my sight, in my heart or mind, may God amend! May he, the Protector of the world, bless us!— Yajur Veda 36.2
Releasing Hindu Temples From The Clutches of Indian Government
Source INDIA, February 3, 2015 (By Rajiv Malik, for HPI and Hinduism Today magazine): a large number of NGO’s representatives, social activists and intellectuals participated in a one-day conference on the subject- “Towards a Rational Government Policy for NGO’s,” organized by Indic Studies Network, Centre For The Study of Developing Societies [CSDS] at Delhi’s prestigious India International Centre on Saturday,…
Malaysian Hindus Mark Thaipusam
Source MALAYSIA, February 3, 2015 (Bangkok Post): More than a million Hindus thronged temples throughout Malaysia on Tuesday to celebrate Thaipusam, a colorful annual religious festival. Celebrations in the capital Kuala Lumpur centered, as they have for 125 years, on the spectacular Batu caves complex on the city’s outskirts, which many Hindus walked up to ten hours to reach in…
Daily Inspiration
Source As you pray to God for devotion, so also pray that you may not find fault with anyone.— Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886)
Newcastle Hindu Healer Babaji Davender Ghai Reignites Funeral Pyre Plans
Source UNITED KINGDOM, February 1, 2015 (Chronicle Live): A Hindu healer who fought to legalize open-air cremations is ready to make them commonplace — five years after winning a landmark court battle. Babaji Davender Ghai spent years battling the system and almost went bankrupt fighting to make funeral pyres legal. Mr. Ghai, president of the Newcastle-based Anglo Asian Friendship Society,…
Dance Card: The Passing of the Master of Kathak, Chitresh Das, Left His Mourning Followers Prepared to Carry On
Source BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, January 31, 2015 (Times Herald): The unexpected death of 70-year-old Kathak master Chitresh Das on January 4 is a calamity for the world of dance, but it’s a disaster for which he prepared his disciples well. A performer of earthy exuberance and exquisite control, he was the driving force in spreading knowledge and appreciation of Kathak, the…
Daily Inspiration
Source For seven lives in seven bodies the grateful will remember friends who relieved their anguish and affliction.— Saint Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural, verse 107
Have We Reached “Peak Food”? Shortages Loom as Global Production Rates Slow
Source UNITED KINGDOM, January 28, 2015 (Independent): The world has entered an era of “peak food” production with an array of staples from corn and rice to wheat and chicken slowing in growth – with potentially disastrous consequences for feeding the planet. New research finds that the supply of 21 staples, such as eggs, meat, vegetables and soybeans is already…
Website Addresses Issues with How India is Portrayed in California K-12 Schools
Source FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, January 31, 2015 (press release): Hinduism as presented in California’s current 6th grade textbooks is lacking in accuracy, factual content and sensitivity. The 7th grade books don’t mention India despite it producing 1/3rd of the world’s gross domestic product during the time period (300 to 1700 ce). The Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) at California Department of Education…
Use of Critically Endangered Medicinal Plants to be Phased Out
Source INDIA, January 25, 2015 (The Hindu): In a few months, numerous “sought-after” ayurvedic medicines will be taken off the shelves as Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) is phasing out the use of critically endangered medicinal plant species. Of the 425 plant species obtained from pharmaceutical companies, the board has reviewed 40 species that were put on the red list —…