Bubbling Sea Hints at Severe Coral Damage

Source UK, May 29, 2011 (BBC): The sea off Papua New Guinea is bubbling. Carbon dioxide seeps into the water from the slopes of a dormant volcano here, making it slightly more acidic. The resulting waters are a natural laboratory for what marine life would be like soon, in an ocean like that predicted by most models of global warming…

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From Russia, With Love

Source INDIA, May 2011 (Manorama): The craze for a foreign bride is not new in India, especially among those who have lived abroad. Most of the older ‘white wives’ came from Europe or the US. And a majority of them were college sweethearts. Many an Indian mother has admonished her son: “Study abroad, but come back alone.” Liberalization has softened…

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Minnesota’s Indian-American Population Surges

Source MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US, May 27, 2011 (Star Tribune): For Shalini Thadani of Woodbury, shopping for Asian Indian groceries used to require a special trip to Minneapolis. In the 10 years since she and her husband arrived in the Twin Cities from Atlanta, she’s watched with delight as more Indian grocery stores have popped up in the metro area —…

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Daily Inspiration

Source Bliss is the dance-stage, bliss is the lyric; Bliss are the diverse instruments, Bliss is the meaning;The supreme felicity of the universe is bliss, For he who yearns for His dance of bliss— Tirumantiram, a sacred mystical treatise by Rishi Tirumular, verse v. 2725

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American-Jewish Committee Co-Sponsors Meetings in India

Source USA, May 26, 2011 (Press Release): The American-Jewish Committee, an advocacy group, has concluded a series of ground-breaking meetings in India with leaders of the Hindu, Jain, Muslim and Sikh communities. “All of these meetings reflect the new world of global interfaith cooperation in which AJC has been a trailblazer,” said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC’s International Director of Interreligious…

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India’s Great Rise

Source KOLKATA, INDIA, May 28, 2011 (by Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times): India has been a bit of an embarrassment for those of us who believe in democracy, especially when compared with China. The Communist Party in China did a much better job fighting poverty than democratically elected Indian governments. India tolerated dissent, but it also tolerated inefficiency, disease…

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Bride Doom For Hindu Priests

Source THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, May 23, 2011 (Deccan Chronicle): The priest of a Hindu temple (Santhikkaran in Malayalam) may be an intermediary of the Divine inside the sanctum sanctorum, but is not even considered a worthy groom outside it. Hundreds of young priests in temples of South Kerala are in distress because no family is willing to give them a bride.…

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Thieves Desecrate Three Hindu Temples in Malaysia

Source MALAYSIA, May 26, 2011 (The Star): Thieves desecrated three Kuala Selangor temples and stole gold platelets and navarathinam (precious stones) placed in the sanctum ground before a Hindu Deity is installed, Tamil Nesan reported. The three estate temple managements Tuan Mee, Coalfield and Kg Kuantan were shocked when the theft was discovered early Tuesday. Religious dictates require gold platelets…

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Encroachments on Temple Land Removed in Tamil Nadu

Source CHENNAI, INDIA, May 24, 2011 (Times of India): Encroachments on 2.4 acres of land belonging to Sri Arulmigu Somanatheeswarar temple at Kolathur were removed on Monday. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) officials evicted two contractors of Chennai Corporation who used the land to store materials. In addition, a car mechanic shop and another temporary shed were demolished. HR&CE…

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