SourceUNITED STATES, May 20, 2003: The June issue of National Geographic carries an article on India’s “untouchables.” The on-line home page has drawn criticism for linking the subject of untouchables back to Hinduism as the underlying cause that mandates caste injustice. It is not known whether the article mentions that caste discrimination is perpetrated in India by Christians and Muslims…
SourceSINGAPORE, May 21, 2003: The Singapore army is using computer games, some of them based on commercially available software, to help sharpen the combat skills of its troops, officials said Wednesday. “As part of its continued emphasis to leverage on technology to augment its training, the Army has introduced the use of personal computer (PC) gaming and PC-based simulation to…
Hindu Press InternationalKAUAI, HAWAII, May 29, 2003: McDonald’s corporation is settling a lawsuit brought by vegetarians who were misled into believing McDonald’s french fries were vegetarian when, in fact, they were flavored with beef (see HPI, May 27). Out of the US$10 million, $250,000 was allotted to the Hindu Heritage Endowment (www.hheonline.org/) to endow 1,000 complimentary subscriptions to Hinduism Today…
SourceSRINAGAR, INDIA, May 29, 2003: Over 3,500 pilgrims are expected to take part in the annual Amarnath Yatra that will commence July 12, official sources said here on Thursday. Base camps for the month-long yatra at Nunwan and Baltal will start functioning on July 5. Of the 3,500 pilgrims who will take part in the yatra, 2,700 are scheduled for…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, May 27, 2003: Yoga has been in vogue for some time among celebrities, but this month it officially goes mainstream in Britain. It’s a come-on cue for yoga instructors in India and fashion designers like Rohit Bal, Adarsh Gill and Ritu Beri. Yoga expert Aina Wethal attracts at her Pineapple Fitness Center at Coven garden in London disciples…
U.K. Newsquest Regional PressLONDON, ENGLAND, May 23, 2003: This year’s Navaratri Festival may receive no funding because of council guidelines not to support events which have the primary purpose of promoting religion. The Sarvoday Hindu Association has sent the grant appeal back to the committee which rejected it in hopes of changing the decision. The contention was whether the event…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, May 29, 2003: NHSF King’s College London is hosting a lecture by respected academician and scientist, Dr. N.S. Rajaram, on the history and archeology of the Mahabharata. This free lecture is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, at 3:00 p.m. The venue is King’s College London, Waterloo Campus, Stamford Lecture Theater, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN.…
Aajtak Television News (India)ORISSA, INDIA, May 28, 2003: After a report on the poor physical and mental condition of the priests of the Puri Temple, the government has now decided to have a “medical camp” to take charge of their medical care. This action was taken after Aajtak Channel highlighted the illnesses being faced by these priests. The priests themselves…
The Nation (Thailand)BANGKOK, THAILAND, MAY 24, 2003: The ancient, Hindu-style Preah Vihear Temple will reopen the same day as next weekend’s joint Thai-Cambodian cabinet meeting, Defense Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, said yesterday. “The reopening is expected on May 31, the day both cabinets meet to discuss several matters of bilateral cooperation,” he said. Chavalit said Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang…
SourceNETHERLANDS, THE HAGUE, May 26, 2003: Working Group Agni is an organization whose goals are to protect the values of Hinduism throughout the world. In this context it also promotes human rights and provides humanitarian aid. In Bangladesh, and other countries, Hindus are facing extreme human rights violations which they believe needs the attention of the global community. For this…