News

Source CHAKRA, November,15th,2012: Hindu American Foundation (HAF) announced the formation of a partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) earlier today, as part of a joint project to serve the medical needs of Bhutanese Hindu refugees in Nepal. The protracted refugee crisis originated during the 1990’s, when Bhutan forcibly expelled more than 100,000 minority Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa, the…

Source INDIA, November 17, 2012 (HPI): HPI thanks a reader for sending us the press release below. It clarifies that a textbook published in India and purchased by schools which says meat-eaters “easily cheat, lie, forget promises and commit sex crimes,” as reported by the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20354669) is not connected to a Hindu author. The story was picked up by…

Paras Ramoutar TRINIDAD, November, 2012, (by Paras Ramoutar): This oil-rich nation with 44% of its 1.3 million of East Indian stock celebrated its 167th Divali, a public holiday since 1966. Divali celebrations climaxed as more than 300,000 Hindus lit diyas, burst fire-crackers and recited special prayers and benediction to Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Beauty. Prime Minister Kamla…

Source The sun can give heat and light to the whole world, but he cannot do so when the clouds shut out his rays. When egotism veils the heart, God cannot shine upon you.— Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886), guru of Swami Vivekananda

Source To have an altar at home alters our life.— Swami Tejomayananda, spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission

Source INDIA, November 15, 2012 (Daily Pioneer): The Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala, Kerala’s famous mountainous Hindu pilgrim centre, opened on Thursday evening for the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage amidst tight security measures.The pilgrimage season starting on the morning of Friday, the first day of Vrischikam month of the Malayalam calendar, will conclude on January 20 after the sighting of the…

Source LONDON, ENGLAND, November 13, 2012 (BBC): At source above is a delightful slideshow of scenes from Diwali in the UK.

Source WASHINGTON, November 16, 2012 (Oman Tribune): US Vice-President Joe Biden joined a select group of Indian-American officials, community members and diplomats at this year’s Diwali celebrations at the White House. During the White House celebration of festival of lights, Biden spoke of the universal resonance of Diwali and asked guests to commit themselves to providing for those less fortunate.…

Source They have “Dial-a-Prayer” for atheists now. You call it up, it rings and rings, but nobody answers.

Source WAYNE, NEW JERSEY, November 14, 2012 (northjersey.com): A 300-pound statue of the Hindu God Siva has been stolen from the Indian Cultural Society Hindu Temple and Mahatma Gandhi Center, according to temple officials who plan to offer a reward for information leading to an arrest. The statue, valued at around US$6,200, was perched on a hill on the temple…