Source UNITED STATES, June 25, 2011: A new book, “Unnatural Selection,” by Science writer Mara Hvistendahl looked at the tremendous shortage of women, particularly in Asia, due to sex selection. Hvistendahl focused on the West’s role in exacerbating the disparity by exporting abortion technologies, and in response, many took her to task for not placing the blame on the foreign…
Source SEOUL and TAIPEI, August 20, 2011 (The Economist): Asian women, like those in the West, are marrying much later these days–some not at all. In combination with the selective abortion of female fetuses, this trend is producing a bride shortage that will destroy Asia’s tradition of universal marriage and place great strains on society. Only 30 years ago, just…
Source HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA, September 19, 2011 (thespec.com): The arson that destroyed the Hindu Samaj Temple on September 15 ten years ago has changed the social fabric of Hamilton for the better, civic and religious leaders say. After the fire, cultural communities across the city started speaking up and making themselves heard. More than 200 temple members, friends and representatives…
Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, September 22, 2011 (TNN): With Durga Puja/Navaratri round the corner, artists are giving final touches to the murtis of Goddess Durga which will soon be installed in Durga Puja pandals. Huge murtis of Goddess Durga, ranging from six to ten feet tall, are being completed near the Bhardwaj Ashram park in the city. Artists have been specially…
Source Great dancers are not great because of their technique but because of their passion.— Martha Graham
Religion News Service LONDON, September 29 (RNS): British Christians are incensed after the state-fundedBBC decided to jettison the terms B.C. and A.D. in favor of B.C.E. and C.E. in historical date references. The broadcaster has directed that the traditional B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, or Year of the Lord) be replaced by B.C.E. (Before Common Era) and C.E.…
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 12, 2011: American seed giant Monsanto and its Indian collaborator, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) are to be prosecuted for allegedly ‘stealing’ indigenous plant material for developing genetically modified brinjal variety known as Bt brinjal. Authority (NBA), a statutory body set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, has decided to initiate legal proceedings against…
Source KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, September 23, 2011 (kansascity.com): Next weekend, about 300 Hindus from throughout the Midwest will gather in Kansas City to celebrate Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the year for Hindus of the Bengali tradition. The scheduled events, beginning on Friday and continuing through October 2 at the Lenexa Community Center, will include worship services, cultural programs,…
Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 29, 2011 (The Peninsula of Quatar): As the former Hindu kingdom of Nepal started observing its biggest Hindu festival yesterday, the new government’s austerity measures and a dogged campaign by animal right activists will see a drop in animal and bird sacrifices, a tradition that has been frequently condemned by the outside world. The 15-day Dashain…
Source LEICESTER, ENGLAND, September 19, 2011 (bbc): The management committee of a USD 1.5m Hindu temple due to open October 9 in Leicester has vowed to keep traffic congestion to a minimum. Although the Gipsy Lane location for the Mandir was approved by the council in 2008, some residents have complained the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is being built on…