GO TO SOURCE SHIMLA, INDIA, May 19, 2002: The Himachal Pradesh government proposes to introduce astrology as a subject in regular classes at various levels of learning, said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. Introduction of astrology would help preserve the ancient system of knowledge so that the younger generation could know more about India’s rich culture and traditions as well…
GO TO SOURCE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, May 9, 2002: Southeast Christian Church is an example of a new breed of magachurch — a full-service “24/7” sprawling village, which offers many of the conveniences and trappings of secular life centered around a spiritual core. While unusual for America, it is similar to the temple towns of India, and represents the impulse of…
GO TO SOURCE WINTER PARK, FLORIDA, May 23, 2002: The Hindu University of America announced the release of “Hindu Temples of North America.” The book covers Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh Temples located across the United States and Canada. Architecture, iconography, art work and history of temples are featured. It contains 320 full-color pages with rare photographs and line drawings…
GO TO SOURCE FIJI, May 22, 2002: Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has sparked a furious row by claiming a coup two years ago was part of a plan by God to depose the country’s Indian-led government. Critics claim his remarks amount to blasphemy. “The SDL coalition won because it was God’s plan,” Qarase said. “I believe God wanted to…
GO TO SOURCE GANDHINAGAR, GUJARAT, INDIA, May 22, 2002: Calling it a “Kalinga effect,” where a remorseful Emperor Ashok (circa 270 bce) became a messiah of peace seeing the death and destruction caused by war, “supercop” K. P. S. Gill regrets that he has not seen such a trend in Gujarat after all the violence. “I do not see this…
GO TO SOURCE PAKISTAN, May 22, 2002: The Times of India provided an informative roundup of editorial comment in the Pakistan press on the current high level of tension between India and Pakistan. One sample, from the Pak News, is indicative of the kind of thinking going through the nation: “From the recent turn of events it is becoming clear…
GO TO SOURCE HONOLULU, HAWAII, May 15, 2002: The Pacific Buddhist Academy will open its doors in August of 2003 and will offer Buddhist education from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. Under the umbrella of the Honpa Hongwanja Mission of Hawaii, the school presently offers education for pre-school through the eighth grade. With a US$1.5 million contribution from church headquarters in…
GO TO SOURCE HYDERABAD, INDIA, May 20, 2002: Coinciding with the birth anniversary of saint-poet Annamacharya, a temple-cum-auditorium complex, Annamacharya Sadanam, will be inaugurated by chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on May 24 at Madhapur. The complex, which is part of the Annamacharya Bhavana Vahini (ABV) project, a spiritual and cultural organization, will be used for training singers in music…
GO TO SOURCE BANGALORE, INDIA, April 25, 2002: An infrequent and distinctive configuration happening only once in a century where five planets ( Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) are grouped together on the same side of the Sun, has an eminent Indian astrologer predicting tough times in the world. Gayatri Devi Vasudev, who correctly interpreted the science of astrology…
GO TO SOURCE TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, May 10, 2002: With a fellowship of over 10,000 Hindus, the Richmond Hill Temple in the Toronto area is in the middle of a 15-day long festival honoring Lord Ganesa, the remover of obstacles. In the midst of it all, Saravanamuthu Jeyarajah, a talented sculptor from Sri Lanka, is carving a three-ton chariot to…