GO TO SOURCE PARIS, FRANCE, September 3, 2001: Celebrating Ganesha’s birthday with pomp and gaiety, French Hindus honored the Lord of Categories in a procession for seven kilometers in about four hours. Ganesha murthis were mounted on a five-metre-tall chariot outside the Mannika Temple and pulled by devotees amidst devotional singing, dancing, and offering of sweets. Traditionally, the murthis would…
GO TO SOURCE PAKISTAN, September 5, 2001: Religious persecution and violation of human rights are forcing Hindus in Pakistan to flee to India, a Pakistani migrants association said today. Each month groups of persecuted Hindus are coming to India in the hope of a better future, but they face a tough time due to the lack of a refugee policy…
GO TO SOURCE USA, September 8, 2001: A frequent proposal from the Christian Right in America is for a constitutional amendment to allow voluntary prayer in public schools. Proponents will cite results from the Gallup poll, such as at “source,” which show 78% of Americans support such an amendment. What they don’t usually cite is the response to this question…
GO TO SOURCE SCOTLAND, U.K., September, 6, 2001: Parents in Scotland will not be able to smack children under the age of three under proposals announced by the Scottish Executive. The move, unveiled on Thursday by Justice Minister Jim Wallace, will also make it illegal to hit children on the head, shake them or strike them with an implement. The…
GO TO SOURCE BANGALORE, INDIA, September 8, 2001: For those interested in the stone inscription found in Babri Masjid (HPI, September 5), go to “source” above for a detailed summary including the stone inscription.
GO TO SOURCE BOSTON, MASSACHUCETTS, September 8, 2001: Vegetarian Resource Group now offers a college-level online course on vegetarianism, taught by Chef Nancy Berkoff, RD. Originally designed as an advanced nutrition class for culinary students, the course has been expanded to include topics of interest for everyone interested in food, health, small business, and vegetarianism. For more information online go…
Source: The Hindu CHENNAI, INDIA, August 31, 2001: A youth was drowned and two others were reported missing at sea while attempting to immerse a Ganesa icon, giving Friday’s Vinayaka Chathurthi procession a tragic dimension. Eyewitnesses said a group of youth ventured into the sea about 4:30 p.m. to immerse a medium-sized idol at the Seerani Arangam, when a strong…
Source: The Hindu THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, September 3, 2001: The Adivasi-Dalit Action Council has resolved to intensify its stir launched on the eve of Thiruvonam day to highlight its long-standing demands. Adivasis, the tribal people of India, planned to block the Onam pageantry to be held at the culmination of the week-long celebrations. Even as hundreds of Adivasis were facing death…
Source: Religion News Service LEEDS, ENGLAND, September 7, 2001: That the UK’s Roman Catholic schools may play a roll in discouraging young Catholics from practicing their faith came under scrutiny at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Priests of England and Wales. Priests from northwest England said that in their experience teenagers who went to Catholic schools were…
Source: The Hindu PATHANAMTHITA, INDIA, September 2, 2001: The Pampa Parirakshana Samithi (PPS), a Kozhencherry-based environmental organization which has been crusading for the cause of the river Pampa, has said that it is high time the government took serious note of the alarmingly high environmental issues at Sabrimala, Kerala’s most popular pilgrimage destination. The PPS general secretary, Mr. N.K. Sukumaran…