Fearing Taliban, Hindus Flee Pakistan For India

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com JAISALMER, INDIA, September 10, 2009: In the past four years, thousands of Hindus have crossed over from Pakistan, some never to return–abandoning their homes and sometimes even their families. They say they had no choice: they had to flee the Taliban. Official figures state that 392 Hindus crossed over in 2006, 880 in 2007, 1,240 in 2008 and…

Continue reading

Daily Inspiration

Source: www.hinduismtoday.com Through meditation and by giving full attention to one thing at a time, we can learn to direct attention where we choose.    Eknath Easwaran

Continue reading

Texas State Board of Education Keeps Christmas in Sixth Grade Schoolbooks; May Add Diwali

Source: www.chron.com AUSTIN, TEXAS, September 18, 2009: Christmas will stay in Texas textbooks, State Board of Education members said Thursday while reviewing early recommendations for new social studies standards. The board will not approve the new curriculum standards for public schools until next year, but wanted to assure constituents they will not accept a recommendation to yank Christmas. “We have…

Continue reading

Panama Ganesh Festival

Source: www.laestrella.com.pa PANAMA, September 6, 2009: A millennial celebration, full of color and traditions, is remembered every year by about three thousand Hindus living in Panama, who first came as nineteenth century immigrants. This year was the first time the Hindu temple celebrated the Ganesh festival with a five foot tall clay statue that was brought from India. The statue,…

Continue reading

Religion in the Public Sphere

Source: beta.thehindu.com CHENNAI, INDIA, September 7, 2009: This long article, excerpted from the valedictory address by Professor K. N. Panikkar at the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras, on September 4, discusses the different nature of the public sphere in India as compared with Europe, and the ways in which colonialism and other historical…

Continue reading

45-ft. Durga Idol To Be Installed at Swaraj Maidan

Source: www.thehindu.com VIJAYAWADA, INDIA, September 12, 2009: Prathishta Arts Association, a Hyderabad-based organization, is conducting “Bhavani Bhuvana Vijaya Mahosthavam” at Swaraj Maidan here as part of Dasara festivities from September 19 to 29 by installing a 45-feet panchaloha statue of Goddess Kanakadurga. P. Madhusudhan, founder and secretary of the association, said Friday that the statue was made at an estimated…

Continue reading

Thailand Returns Ancient Treasures to Cambodia

Source: www.irrawaddy.org PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, June, 2009: Thailand has returned seven 12th-century treasures to Cambodia and both countries have pledged to prevent further smuggling of antiquities. The Angkor-era statues, which included six heads of the Hindu God Siva, were handed to Cambodian officials during an official one-day visit by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Widespread looting of Cambodia’s ancient temples…

Continue reading

Maoists Unlock Pashupati Temple’s Office Building

Source: www.samaylive.com KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 16, 2009: Buckling under pressure, the Maoists have opened the locks of the office of the trust that manages Nepal’s famous Pashupatinath Temple, two weeks after they padlocked it protesting against the appointment of Indian priests in the Hindu shrine. The Maoist-backed Struggle Committee that has padlocked the office to protest against the appointment of…

Continue reading

UK Hindu Students Forum to Debate Misconceptions of Hindu Faith

Source: www.theasiannews.co.uk LONDON, ENGLAND, September 16, 2009: The National Hindu Students Forum (UK) is hosting its annual national conference titled “Hindu Times” which will explore myths and misconceptions about the Hindu faith. Around 500 delegates from all over the UK including high-profile politicians and guest speakers will be attending to discuss and debate a wide range of current and controversial…

Continue reading

Panel Discusses Challenges of Hindu Americans

Source: www.boston.com MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, September 13, 2009: I (journalist Michael Paulson) moderated a panel on Hinduism in America featuring three experts on the subject, Anantanand Rambachan, the chairman of the religion department at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, who gave an overview of American Hinduism; Khyati Joshi, an education professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, who talked about…

Continue reading