SourceCASTRO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, June 11, 2003: The latest stop on a 10-city U.S. tour found Mata Amritanandamayi at her Castro Valley Center on Tuesday, where she launched a 13-day visit that drew more than a thousand people to the morning and afternoon sessions for darshan, a free hug. Amma’s goal is simple: she wants to help people discover pure love…
SourceMARYLAND, U.S.A., June 14, 2003: Thousands of statues of Lord Ganesha began filling the Montgomery County Fairgrounds early yesterday, as dancers from India practiced their steps on stage, which offered shelter from the morning heat. For the uninitiated, the first day of the Heritage India Festival in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was a chance to learn more about the many cultures of…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, June 8, 2003: Two young women on the eve of their wedding have given momentum to the anti-dowry movement in India by calling off the occasion when potential future husbands and their families got greedy and demanded more gifts from the brides’ families. Vidya in Chennai and Nisha Sharma in Delhi received action from the police in pressing…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, June 11, 2003: Another complaint of a cow elephant being forced to seek alms in Red Hills, on the northern fringes of the city, was reported on Wednesday. The animal was rescued and housed safely in the People for Animals (PfA) shelter at Red Hills. The mahout accompanying the elephant was unable to show ownership papers for the…
SourceSINGAPORE, June 10, 2003: After six months of intense debate over its exact wording, leaders of religious groups here have worked out a declaration on religious harmony that all parties are comfortable with. The groups plan to hold activities to recite and teach the declaration to their congregations during the week of Racial Harmony Day, beginning July 21. Representatives of…
SourceTOKYO, JAPAN, June 3, 2003: What do the Japanese do when their nation’s economic slide throws more people out of work and cuts into their savings? They go in for a hug from none other than Kerala’s Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, who is on the Japanese leg of her world tour. For the Japanese, a hug from the holy woman is…
SourceSAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, June 4, 2003: Pausing a few minutes to say a prayer of gratitude and upliftment before partaking of a meal is a tradition followed by over 64% of homes in America. During this time of reflection, families are brought closer and grounded. Mark Jurgensmeyer, professor of sociology and religious studies and director of Global and International Studies…
SourceSINGAPORE, June 6, 2003: A Temple accommodating the worship of four faiths in Singapore may soon have to vacate its 1,400 square meter site by the beach. From humble beginnings twenty years ago, the Loyang Tua Pek Kong temple has become a very popular place of worship. The temple’s lease runs out at the end of June and the temple…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, June 7, 2003: Popular South Indian Actor Kamal Hasan has vowed that he will never again be seen smoking in any of his future films. This prompted a leading cancer surgeon to appeal to other stars, particularly Mr. Hasan’s peer, Rajnikanth, to follow suit. Speaking at a function organized by WHO on “Tobacco-free films and fashion” Mr. Hasan…
SourceSRINAGAR, INDIA, May 21, 2003: A nun from West Bengal was killed when Muslim terrorists attacked a Christian school in Anantnag, the first such incident in Kashmir. Sister Kamlesh died when a grenade exploded near the main entrance of the Saint Lukas Convent School in Nai Basti in Anantnag town, 50 km from Srinagar. Sister Mary, another teacher who also…