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INDIA, May 14, 2013 (HAF Press Release): To believe that one's faith cannot be openly practiced is unthinkable. However, for many Pakistani Hindus, the slightest acknowledgement of their Hindu faith can endanger their lives. "There is fear 24 hours a day...Hindus see themselves as helpless," Chetan Ram states. Young girls are ripped from the arms of their mothers, married off to strangers, and forcibly converted to Islam; never to see their families again.

Families live in utter poverty. Even if they are employed; they are at the mercy of the jagirdars, or landlords. The Muslim jagirdars pay Hindu workers at their own accord, leaving many of the already impoverished Hindus unpaid. In order to escape the dire fate they face in Pakistan, many flee to India for safety.

In January of 2013, a team from the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), traveled to Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Over five days, the team visited three Pakistani Hindu refugee camps, providing medical aid to over 400 refugees. During their time there, the team listened to one heartbreaking story after another.
Despite fleeing from religious persecution, these individuals are still not formally recognized as refugees by the Indian Government or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

To view the moving video of the unresolved plight of the refugees see "source."

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SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, May 17, 2013 (India West): It was a historic week at the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple & Community Center as thousands of devotees and patrons participated in the inaugural celebrations of the newly renovated temple premises. The week-long Maha Kumbha Abhishekam ceremony, which began May 8 and continued till May 12, presented an opportunity for the Bay Area Indian American community to experience the grand Hindu religious festivities in a unique fashion.

"It is gratifying to see our dream of 20 years finally fulfilled with such success," Raj Bhanot, co-founder and treasurer of the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, told India-West. "We have been able to create one of the largest community temples in the heart of Silicon Valley with enormous support from both the South Indian and North Indian community, as all deities are worshipped here and all major religious rituals are also performed here," Bhanot added.

What began as a modest venture in 1991 by visionaries Raj Bhanot and Naranji Patel, amongst others, saw its first milestone being accomplished within two years as the temple opened its doors to the public at a 3.15-acre facility in Sunnyvale on Dec. 23, 1993. Ever since, the temple has attracted thousands of visitors every year.

With the influx of visitors continuing to grow exponentially every year, the board of trustees embarked on a project to rebuild the temple in order to better serve the community. Despite the estimated cost of construction being US$3 million, the temple was able to raise more than 50 percent through cash reserves and generous donations, and a loan for the remainder from Wells Fargo Bank. The groundbreaking ceremony was performed on Mar. 23, 2012 and construction followed. Within a year, the temple was able to reopen the newly renewed worshipping complex that has a seating capacity of 1,000 people.

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INDIA, February 14, 2013 (The Hindu): The 21-year-old Sri Narayani Peedam in Thirumalaikkodi, Vellore, has added one more jewel to its crown with the Kanthirappu Vaibhavam (Eye Opening Ceremony) of the newly designed golden statue of Sri Swarna Lakshmi made of 154 lbs. gold at the Peedam premises.

In connection with this, a 48-day Mahalakshmi yagam commenced at the Shanthi Mandapam at the Sri Narayani Peedam on Sunday. The yagam, marked by the chanting of the Sri Suktam, will be held three times daily, at 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. till March 29.

After that the Swarna Lakshmi statue will be temporarily installed at the Deepa Mandapam in Sripuram, which already houses the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple (also known as the golden temple) established six years ago. "Devotees visiting Sripuram will be permitted to perform abhishekam to the statue of Swarnalakshmi with Thulasi Theertham," according to Sri Sakthi Amma, Managing Trustee of Sri Narayani Peedam.

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The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him--that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.
-- Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

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India, Shirdi, May 15, 2013 (Press Trust of India): Saibaba Sansthan trust has recorded Rs 1,441 crore (US$262 million) income in the last five years, with 22 per cent higher donations received every year, Sansthan's executive officer Kishor More said on Wednesday. Five years back, about 20,000 devotees used to visit the Saibaba's shrine daily, but presently figures show that around 60,000 people come to visit the temple everyday and the number goes up to about one hundred thousand on weekends. During special festivals at least two to three hundred thousand devotees visit the famous shrine, More said, adding that the daily income now was around $82,000, as compared to $36,000 per day five years back.

The trust has contributed funds on building super-speciality hospital, Shirdi's roads, water arrangements, various developmental works including Chief Minister's Relief fund and Shirdi's airport, he said. The audited report of the Sansthan will be tabled in the state Assembly during the winter session for grant, he said. When asked about "hidden donations" in boxes like gold ornaments, cash and foreign currency, More said the trust doesn't has a separate machinery to check such things because when devotees come to seek blessings of Saibaba they donate money, but from where they get it is difficult to know.