Source MADURAI, INDIA, October 4, 2011 (The Hindu): A Hindu temple cannot be compelled to engage the services of a security agency owned by non-Hindus, the Madras High Court has ruled. Ultimately, reforms in matters of religious administration, if any, must come from within, not dictated by the court. So stated Justice K. Chandru, dismissing a writ petition of a…
Source There was once a wise man who lived simply. His spartan food habits reflected this. He had a friend who, being a sycophant of the king, lived in great luxury. One day this friend called on the wiseman while he was eating. Looking at the food, the friend said, “My friend, if you can please the king like me,…
Source INDIA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 (indianwine.com): In India, wine was traditionally used to bring back health. Ayurvedic wines used as medicine is documented in the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda. Draksharishtha, the oldest Indian wine, is made of grape juice and herbs, but minus the micro-filtration process that modern wineries use, and minus the stringent temperature monitoring in its…
Source HYDERABAD, INDIA, September 26, 2011 (thehindu.com): The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board has initiated a year-long effort to promote eco-friendly Ganesha murtis for next year’s festivities, thus protecting water bodies from the immersion of murtis made from harmful substances. A strategy session met Saturday to chalk out out the modalities. Seeking to build a cascading effect, the idea is…
Source What is the secret of the true life? To remain still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly awake while in meditation.— Dada Sadhu Vaswani
Source RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, October 7, 2011 (JB): “Maha Yatra,” “India Jaya Jaya,” “Krishna’s Jewels.” There is no shortage of events and plays celebrating Indian art, culture and religion in Rio de Janeiro this month of October. The Banco do Brasil Cultural Center has prepared an Indian-themed week called “India!”, featuring storytelling, drama and music from India interpreted by…
LONDON, ENGLAND, 2011 (RNS): Thirty leading scientists have added their signatures to a petition to ban the teaching of creationism as scientific theory in the nation’s publicly funded schools. The petition urges that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution be taught in all schools at both the primary and secondary levels. The government has issued official guidelines against teaching creationism in…
Source AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, October 3, 2011 (dailytexanonline.com): This Sunday was the 142nd anniversary of Gandhi’s birth. His challenge, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” sparked the “Be the Change” National Day of Service held this Saturday, and Austin participated in a big way with 1,000 volunteers. (The country’s total turnout last year was 3,000.) Keynote…
Source KOLKATA, INDIA, October 7, 2011 (dna india): Goddess Durga was accorded a Chinese farewell today, as the community came forward to present their traditional lion dance to mark the return of the Goddess to her heavenly abode. Dressed in colorful traditional lion costumes, a 20-member team of the city’s vibrant Chinese community performed the dance during the Goddess’ immersion…
Source THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, October 6, 2010 (expressbuzz): In a ceremony called “Vidyarambham”, thousands of tiny tots in Kerala were Thursday initiated into the world of learning – originally a Hindu practice that has now become popular even among the state’s Christians. Children thronged temples, churches, clubs and other places. The ceremony saw academics, litterateurs, teachers and even politicians hold the…