SourceJAFFNA, SRI LANKA, June 27, 2003: Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of learning is standing guard, a retired school principal is all fired up, the computers are in place and war-weary Jaffna is ready for the reopening of its famous library, more than two decades after it was set it ablaze in 1981. The library, a center of learning and culture,…
SourceHYDERABAD, INDIA, June 28, 2003: When the cash-strapped Chandrababu Naidu government tried to dip into the funds of the Tirupati-Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD), India’s richest shrine with an annual income of over US$108,126,000, they found resistance from temple authorities, employees, religious leaders and political parties. Naidu had recently directed the temple to contribute $16,261,000 to build an infrastructure for the Godavari…
SourceBANGKOK, THAILAND, June 29, 2003: Thailand’s Culture Ministry plans to propose the Phanom Rung Historical Park and associated ancient spots for listing as a World Heritage site. A Fine Arts Department official said the decision followed the discovery of an old cultural route linking all the Khmer-style sanctuaries. The official said the department would register the entire area surrounding Phanom…
SourceSINGAPORE, JUNE 29, 2003: Several social and religious groups, led by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), are collaborating to raise US$200,000 for this year’s President’s Challenge. As of this writing, Sinda, the Eurasian Association, Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple and Sri Siva Krishna Hindu Temple are involved in this group effort while other organizations are being actively recruited…
Charisma News ServiceLOS ANGELES, U.S.A., June 30, 2003: In a ruling that could significantly impact land-use issues for all religious congregations nationwide, a Los Angeles district judge this week struck down a federal law that protects churches, synagogues, and temples from attempts by local governments to limit new construction of religious buildings with restrictive zoning and land use regulations. In…
SourceUNITED STATES, June 30, 2003: In the United States the interest in vegetarian foods has exploded in the last few years, as evidenced by the increased number of vegetarian products now available in stores throughout the country. However, how many people are actually vegetarian? A 2003 Vegetarian Resource Group Harris Interactive survey indicated that 2.8 percent of those surveyed said…
SourceUNITED STATES, June 27, 2003: For the past 30 years Americans have used the idea that “if divorce is better for you, it will be better for your kids,” to justify their increasing recourse to divorce. However, recent evidence indicates that these justifications are illusions. The widespread practice of divorce in this culture has been based on the wishful thinking…
SourceKANCHIPURAM, INDIA, June 30, 2003: An International Conference on the Mahabharata and Puranas is planned for December 24 to 28, 2003, in Kanchipuram, India, under the auspices of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankaracharya Mutt. The conference will focus attention on the contribution of the Mahabharata and Puranas to art, thought and literature in Asian and South East Asian countries. Scholars interested…
SourcePARIS, FRANCE, June 22, 2003: During 2004, a number of programs are being planned to mark the tenth death anniversary of well-known writer, historian and Saivite, Alain Danielou. A French film about Alain Danielou by Joel Farges will be released in Francophone countries, with filming already completed in Rome, Venice, Varanasi and Paris. A film in English by the Indian…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, June 25, 2003: Next January Delhi roads will see a major change as MCD Commissioner Rakesh Mehta is all geared up to rid the roads of the estimated 36,000 stray cattle. Says Mehta, “As per a Supreme Court order, we have to make Delhi cattle-free by January 1, 2004. We are pressing 24 trucks into service to…