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www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Swami-Satyamitranand-Giri-to-expand-his-service-to-society/2013/12/30/article1971733.ece CHENNAI, INDIA, December 30, 2013 (New Indian Express): Swami Satyamitranand Giri, an octogenarian from Haridwar who has followers across the globe, is planning to start more service-oriented programs in the coming months. This is in addition to the number of service activities that are already going on through the Samanvaya Kutir and Satyamitranand Foundation founded by him. In an…

Source Life should be dynamic, full of movement, flowing endlessly like the mighty Ganges. Life’s movement should be channelled in the right direction. Life becomes a burden for many people because it has lost its dynamism. For them life is not like a flowing river. It is a static, turbid puddle. Understand that action gives movement to life, knowledge gives…

Source Do not be proud of wealth, people, relations and friends, or youth. All these are snatched by time in the blink of an eye. Giving up this illusory world, know and attain the Supreme.— Adi Shankara, 9th century Indian philosopher and saint

Source UNITED KINGDOM, January 1, 2014 (The Guardian): Research undertaken by Prof. Jeremy Carrette, with colleagues from the University of Kent’s department of religious studies, has revealed that more than 70% of religious non-government organisations (NGOs) at the UN are Christian, and that there is historical privilege in allowing the Vatican a special observer status, as both a state and…

Source SABARIMALA, INDIA, December 31, 2013 (The Hindu): Thousands of devotees from across the country, mainly South Indian States, prayed at the Ayyappa temple here as it was opened for the Makaravilakku pilgrimage on Monday afternoon. The Pampa Manalpuram was crowded with a multitude of pilgrims congregating for the customary holy bath in the Pampa River before climbing the hills.…

Source Water is sufficient to cleanse the body, but truthfulness alone can purify the mind.— Tirukkural 298

Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 29, 2013 (Indian Express): (HPI Note: this news item from the Indian Express is part of our effort to inform the Hindu public of all sides of the issue of gay rights now being debated not only in India but in many countries.) Religious leaders on Sunday came together to oppose the UPA government’s decision…

Source NADI, FIJI, December 21, 2013 (Fiji Times): Hindu priests have been directed by visiting international professors specializing in Hinduism to wear a dhoti while performing puja. They have also been asked to refrain from drinking yaqona (kava) and smoking. This was revealed during a workshop for Western Sanatan priests at Votualevu in Nadi this week. The meeting was organized…

Source Like a tortoise withdrawing five limbs into its shell, those who restrain the five senses in one life will find safe shelter for seven.— Tirukkural 126

Source INDIA, December 16, 2013 (Forbes): Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest person, who’s a strict vegetarian and animal lover, has issued an order banning all nonvegetarian products from his Reliance Retail chain. This involves shutting down 100-odd Reliance Delight stores that sell a range of fresh and frozen meats and seafood, including the Real brand of frozen chicken owned by fellow…