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Source KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 4, 2014 (Malay Mail Online): Selangor Islamic authorities interfered with the affairs of other religions when it raided a Hindu temple to probe a bride-to-be it suspected was Muslim, Malaysia’s largest interfaith group said. Jagir Singh, the president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), described the Selangor Islamic…

Source AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, June 6, 2014 (Scoop): Plans to make grieving families seek permission before scattering the ashes of loved ones and charge them for the privilege need to be reconsidered, Labour’s Ethnic Affairs spokesperson Phil Goff says. “Auckland Council’s proposals seem heavy handed, unnecessary and bureaucratic. There has been insufficient consultation with the public and in particular with…

Source Like the household fire, devotees seek the glory of the Lord even from afar and enshrine it in their inner chamber for enlightenment. The glory of our Lord is full of splendor, all-illuminative and worthy to be honored in every heart.— Rig Veda 7.1.2

Source Mexico City, June 1, 2014, (OEM): At exactly 8:30 am, families, couples, young cyclists and children gathered at the fountain of the Glorieta Diana on Paseo de la Reforma to participate in a yoga session outdoors, sponsored by the Government of the Federal District, through the Institute of Sport (Indeporte), held every Sunday as part of the strategy for…

Source DEHRADUN, INDIA, May 31, 2014 (The Hindu): Chief Minister Harish Rawat, on Saturday, said that the first and second phases of reconstruction work shall begin in the Kedarnath Valley in the coming week. Suggesting that the State government would want to make the Char Dham yatra a year-long yatra, Mr. Rawat said that the priest community of the four…

Source AUSTRALIA, May 30, 2014 (Gizmodo): Even a building as famous and photographed as Angkor Wat has its secrets. With the help of an image enhancement algorithm, a sharp-eyed rock-art researcher has revealed that unassuming smears of pigment are actually faded drawings. It could be graffiti – or it could be the remnants of a concerted 16th century restoration program.…

Source When the Creator dances, the worlds He created dance. To the measure that He dances in our knowledge, our thoughts, too, dance. When He in heart-endearing dances, the several elements, too, dance. Witness in rapture surpassing the dance of that One who is a glowing flame.— Tirumantiram, 2786

Source UNITED STATES, May 30, 2014 (Pew Research): A Pew Research chart of the foreign-born population of the United States as of 2012, lists India in the number two position, behind Mexico, with 1,974,305. This represents 4.8 percent of the foreign-born population. Other countries that may interest readers are: Trinidad/Tobago: 239,015Bangladesh: 187,641Nepal: 77,890Fiji: 49,063Bhutan: 32,954

Source MAHARASTRA, INDIA, May 23, 2014 (The Hindu, by Amruta Byatnal): TThe temple administration of this 900 year old temple has interviewed women and those from outside the Brahmin community for appointing them as priests. The Vitthal Rukmini Temple Trust (VRTT), which functions under the Maharashtra government, has made the radical move possible. “For the first time, a temple is…

Source CAMBODIA, May 29, 2014 (Phnom Penh Post): Sandstone figures packed into crates returned to Cambodia yesterday.The Kingdom welcomed the repatriated 11th-century statues with little fanfare, a remarkably placid homecoming given the lengthy legal battle with auction house Sotheby’s and the enlivened conversation with a California art museum that led to their return. “They are Duryodhana and Bhima. One from…