150 People Embrace Buddhism In Chandigarh

SourceCHANDIGARH, INDIA, April 14, 2003: On the occasion of the 112 birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, around 150 Dalits converted to Buddhism in what they termed a mass protest against the rising violence and atrocities against their community in Haryana. A Buddhist monk gave diksha to over 150 people in the presence of the All India Confederation of SC…

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Minister Promotes NCERT Syllabus

SourceKOLKATA, INDIA, April 14, 2003: A few states are resisting efforts made by HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi to implement reforms in the field of education. Using “value education” as a starting point, he initiated what he hopes will stimulate a campaign to encourage the Marxist government of West Bengal to accept the new NCERT curriculum, a Hindu-friendly revision of…

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House-Hunting Woes For Mumbai’s Nonvegetarians

SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, April 13, 2003: Militantly vegetarian housing societies are turning away non-vegetarians by the dozens, all over the city. The hardest hit are the traditionally meat-eating Maharashtrans. Some are offering to pay extra to set off their culinary disadvantage, but no luck. Other societies are even asking buyers to submit notarized statements declaring their veggie inclinations. Where commercial space…

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Zambia’s First Lady Calls for More India Contacts

The Times of ZambiaZAMBIA, AFRICA, April 10, 2003: First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa of Zambia has called for more cultural exchange programs between Zambia and India, saying this will strengthen ties between the two countries. Mrs. Mwanawasa’s remarks were made when she officiated at a cultural night of a visiting Indian dance troupe at Lusaka’s Hindu Hall on Tuesday. She said…

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Zambia’s Hindus Donate Food to the Needy

The Times of ZambiaZAMBIA, AFRICA, April 15, 2003: The Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) has received another boost of 50 tons of relief food for distribution to hunger-stricken Chibombo district. Presenting the donation, Hindu Association of Zambia president Ashok Oza said the donation was the second consignment. The first batch of 50 tons was received in January and was distributed…

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Gujarats New Anti-Conversion Law Perplexes Missionaries

SourceAHMEDABAD, INDIA, April 18, 2003: The Rt. Rev. Vinodkumar Malaviya, a Protestant bishop in western India, is accustomed to providing food, cattle fodder, clothes and medical care to anyone in need. But the new Gujarat law establishes prison sentences of up to four years, along with fines, for converting someone by force, fraud or allurement. Christians say it also sets…

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Project Gutenberg Reports on Hindu Texts

SourceUNITED STATES, April 19, 2003: The Mahabharata, Vol. 1, has been proofread and is currently undergoing post-processing before being released by the Gutenberg Project, which is posting public domain manuscripts on the web with public help in the form of proofreading. The Complete Valmiki Ramayana is currently being post-processed. Early releases of these maybe found at http://www.sacred-texts.com. The two books…

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“Bhakti Utsav” Concerts Hosted in New Delhi

SourceNEW DELHI, April 18, 2003: A blend of bhakti sangeet and classical Indian music, which even youth can enjoy, is the main attraction of the three-day Bhakti Utsav at Nehru Park that began on April 18. The show, first of its kind in Delhi, is organized by the Delhi Government and the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture with support…

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The Essence Of A Spiritual Singer

SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, April 18, 2003: Though he is equally proficient in most classical and light classical forms of music, it is the Ramayana Path that Pandit Chhannulal Mishra will concentrate on at Nehru Park concerts on April 18. “I have given many classical performances,” says Mishra, whose recitation is part of the Bhakti Utsav (see previous article), “but this…

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