Source DENPASAR, BALI, August 14, 2012 (The Bali Times): A major Indonesian broadcaster has been forced to cancel one of its prime Ramadan TV shows after angry protests from Balinese Hindus. The Indosiar historical drama series Sembilan Wali was commissioned to run throughout the Muslim fasting month, and features fictionalised adventures of the so-called “Wali Songo,” the “Nine Saints” said…
Source It is always good to endure injuries done to you, but to forget them is even better.— Tirukkural
HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, September 9, 2012 (HPI): The October/November/December 2012 issue of our flagship magazine is a special edition honoring Hindu temples and those who build them. With all the other fascinating articles and features you are used to. Our Hindu of the YearSince 1990 we have given our coveted Hindu Renaissance Award to the man or woman spiritual leader…
Source LEICESTER, U.K., September 7, 2012 (thisisleicestershire.co.uk): More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling on council bosses not to axe a grant for a major Hindu celebration. Leicester City Council has been providing US$32,000 to help pay for an annual Navratri event at De Montfort Hall, but is considering stopping the support from next year. The organizers of…
Source FIJI, September 6, 2012 (Radio Australia): Calls for Fiji to become an officially Christian state have been rejected by one of the country’s main Hindu groups. It comes after the president of Fiji’s Methodist Church yesterday said the country was ceded to God by the chiefs and was therefore a Christian nation. Vijendra Prakash, general secretary of Sanatan Dharam,…
Source Sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful Earth. They have filled the Earth with violence, drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilizations and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.— Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), disciple of Sri…
Source MUMBAI, Sep 4, 2012 (TNN): Playgrounds and street corners are transforming into oases of beauty as Ganeshotsav approaches on September 19. Palace and temple architecture remain the favourite decor of most mandals that have the resources to indulge their patrons. The muddy ground at Azad Nagar, Andheri, is giving way to a replica of the fabled Dilwara temple of…
Source WASHINGTON, D.C. September 5, 2012 (BBC): HPI note: We don’t report on national politics, but for those interested, BBC correspondent Seema Dirohi has produced a insightful story on the political affiliation of Indian-Americans, available at “source” above. A related report with a more religious slant is here.
Source INDIA, September 5, 2012 (theprovince.com): HPI Note: Our readers have expressed interest in the proposed McDonalds at two sacred spots in India, so we are running a few more news items on the subject. McDonald’s, home of the Big Mac, is facing Hindu protests over plans to open restaurants in two of India’s most revered religious centers and pilgrimage…
Source USA, September 5, 2012 (Forbes): McDonald’s plans to open vegetarian outlets in two holy cities in India. Why is the company that perfected burger flipping delving into the likes of McVeggie, McAloo Tikki and McSpicy Paneer, after more than 16 years in India? Here’s one possibility — global comparable sales were flat in July. The U.S. was down 0.1%,…