SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, July 8, 2003: After losing the patents of neem, bitter gourd and basmati rice, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) have now decided to strengthen the Indian claim about its traditional knowledge in this area and also help in countering the attempts of other countries to acquire…
SourcePALO ALTO, U.S.A., December 17, 2001: New research by Stanford University scientists in Palo Alto, California, has revealed that earthquakes were the likely cause for the mysterious disappearance of ancient civilizations like the Harappan in India and the Mayan in Central America. The Harappan civilization disappeared in 1900 BCE, after almost 2,000 years of continuous existence. Most researchers could not…
SourceBHUBANESWAR, INDIA, July 4, 2003: A temple built in 10 A.D. to Nagi has been discovered in the village of Ghasiandhuti, in Khurda district of Orissa. The villagers worshipped the Deity as “Uttarayani” not knowing that it was a Nagi (female Snake Deity) image. The Superintendent of the State Archaeological Department, Dr. B. K. Rath says the site was being…
SourceCHICAGO, U.S.A., July 1, 2003: At the beginning of the last century, American families did not have one major decision to make when starting a family. Wives and future mothers were already at home, and the decision whether to continue working or not, was not there. However, in today’s families many young Americans marry but have children later, and by…
SourceKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 29, 2003: The Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) recently held their 26th annual national meeting where Datuk Vaithilingam, president, outlined a “Renaissance Plan” for the Sangam’s continuing religious work in Malaysia. What follows is a summation of his remarks: Improving religious education among the youth is at the top of our list. “Only then can they have…
SourceNEW YORK, U.S.A., July 3, 2003: India Cause, a watch dog group of Hindus in America, is unhappy over the use of the Om symbol as decoration on socks. “We are outraged seeing such repetitive insults and attack on Indian culture,” India Cause coordinator Sanjeev Dahiwadkar said. Gold Medal Hosiery in New York, which distributes the offending socks, declined to…
Asia PulseHANOI, VIETNAM, June 30, 2003: Another US$812,000 has been invested in preserving a cluster of five Champa temple towers at My Son, the Hindu holy land of the old Champa Kingdom, 70 km southwest of central Da Nang City. The project is being jointly carried out by the Vietnamese government, UNESCO and the Italian University of Milan. The towers…
African Church Information ServiceNAIROBI, KENYA, June 30, 2003: Controversy is brewing in Kenya between Christians and members of the public over the country’s national motto Kenya’s had for 40 years, “Harambee.” A number of Christians, drawn mainly from the Pentecostal churches, want the motto erased from the country’s coat of arms, alleging that Harambee gives honor to a Hindu Goddess…
SourceJAMMU AND KASHMIR, June 30, 2003. Set amidst rocky terrain and picturesque pine trees, the sacred cave shrine of Lord Siva in Chandanwari hills of South Kashmir is all set to redefine the annual Amarnath Yatra with the Jammu and Kashmir Government making efforts to open it for pilgrims this year. “Work on the construction of metaled foot path to…
SourceBOTHELL, UNITED STATES, July 2, 2003: For Hindus in Seattle, and as far a way as Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Canada, the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center has become the central place to worship. Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Lakshmi Devi are the main Deities presiding in the temple, which serves not only as a place of worship, but also as…