Source SOUTH AMERICA, January 16, 2012 (New York Times): This long article covers the combined history of Guyana and French Guiana. It does so without managing to mention anything about the Hindus of Guyana who are 28% of the population. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating account of the political machinations of the last few centuries leading to the present situation.
Source HYDERABAD, INDIA, January 11, 2012 (La Repubblica): A competition of one the most visual forms of traditional worship, the rangoli, colors the streets of Hyderabad. [HPI note: This news comes through the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Though the text is in Italian, click on the “source” above to see a 6-photo slideshow. Click on “avanti,” meaning forward, to go…
Source All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything. All is God. But you cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.— Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), disciple of Sri Ramakrishna
Source LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, January 18, 2012 (LA Times): In a sign of the times, the Bodhi Tree Bookstore on Melrose Avenue, a mecca for spiritualists and philosophers since 1970, has been sold. For 40 years, the Bodhi Tree Bookstore on Melrose Avenue has served as the metaphysical mecca of Los Angeles. Actress Shirley MacLaine brought international fame to the…
Source SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, January 2012 (KGO): There is outrage in the Bay Area Hindu community after an Indian couple living in Norway had their children taken away over what appears to be a cultural misunderstanding. The parents say it’s because they were feeding their kids with their hands. The Bhattacharya family moved from Calcutta to Norway several years ago…
Source MATLI, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN, January 21, 2012 (Express Tribune): Money, jobs and a debt-free life: It sounds like a sweet deal for many of the Hindu laborers in Matli, but it comes with strings attached — convert to Islam.Hundreds of Hindus in the area have converted to Islam in the past few years, courtesy seminaries, mosques and self-styled preachers.…
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 16, 2012 (Hindustan Times): Hindu and Muslim priests are joining the campaign effort to sensitize people against pre-natal sex determination. A promise to never indulge in this illegal practice will soon be part of marriage vows — right at the wedding venue — and will be stated as an undertaking in marriage certificates as well.…
Source Speaking cruel words is like sharpening a boomerang.— Anonymous
Source PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA, INDIA, January 12, 2012 (The Hindu): District Collector, P. Venugopal, has said the services of various Government departments for the smooth conduct of the annual religious conventions at Cherukolpuzha would be ready well before the beginning of the respective event. The Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Maha Mandalam (HMM) will be celebrating the centenary of the annual Hindu religious meet…
Source DELHI, INDIA, January 6, 2012 (Indian Ministry of External Affairs): The Honorable Ms. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago paid a State Visit to India from January 5-14, 2012 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is the first woman of Indian…