Source: Deccan Chronicle DHORI, INDIA, February 4, 2001: Thousands of villagers in quake-stricken Gujarat vowed to lead a more reverent life after local priests declared that the Earth, revered as Mother Goddess, had roared and shuddered under the weight of sin. After the January 26 earthquake, villagers believe they have to be more religious to avoid future disasters. Local priests…
GO TO SOURCE LAKHOND, INDIA, February 8, 2001: Even though streets are strewn with rubble and houses are useless heaps of stone, one structure that can’t be shaken in India, even by a killer earthquake is the caste system, according to this report in the Indian Express. The town has six distinct tent camps for the earthquake homeless – four…
Source: Deccan Chronicle HYDERABAD, INDIA, February 4, 2001: Over 1,263 youth belonging to an organization called the Andhra Pradesh Yuvajana Sanghala Samithi have presented a proposal to the government requesting that Swami Vivekananda’s lessons be included in their school curriculum. Maintaining that the lessons will promote leadership qualities, the members of the samithi have submitted a signature list and a…
Source: Times of India HYDERABAD, INDIA, February 6, 2001: Two Indian scientists, a husband and wife team, discovered that the antiseptic triclosan used in toothpaste kills the parasite responsible for causing malaria. Namita and Avadesha Surolia’s finding has been confirmed by both British and American researchers. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death by disease in the world.
Source: Hinduism Today Press Release KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, February 10, 2001: On receiving complaints from the public and religious organizations regarding the wrong practice of “agni hotra,” the Malaysia Hindu Sangam wrote to the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Peetham in Tamil Nadu, South India for advice. His Holiness, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, replied, “Agni hotra should not be done by everybody. There…
Source: Hindustan Times New Delhi, February 2, 2001: Though it has been two months since corporal punishment was banned by the Delhi Court, some teachers and parents still hold to the adage, “spare the rod and spoil the child.” According to a study by psychiatrists Dr. Samir Parikh and Geeta Kapoor, 80 percent of the 1,000 public school students surveyed…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, Feb. 6, 2001: A comprehensive legislation by the Union Cabinet today decided to curb smoking in public places. It would also seek to ban sale of tobacco products to minors under the age of 18 and to ban sponsorship of sports and cultural events by tobacco-product companies. The Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson, Mr.…
GO TO SOURCE JAMNAGAR, INDIA, February 7, 2001: The 5,000-year-old temple at Dwarka in honor of Lord Krishna suffered grave damage as a result of the January 26 earthquake in Gujarat. The Archaeological Survey of India is expected to organize repairs to the temple so that it can be rendered safe for pilgrims. Previous to this natural disaster Lord Krishna’s…
Source: The Hindu MYSORE, INDIA, February 4, 2001: With the approaching Maha Sivaratri celebrations, the Kumbha Mela at Allahabad where millions have taken a purifying dip will soon end. Devout Hindus are now focused on a three-day Mela from February 6-8 in Mysore District at Tirumakudala Narsipura. This site, where three sacred rivers also join, has gained significance since 1989.…
GO TO SOURCE MADURAI, INDIA, January 16, 2001: Dalit (untouchable) residents in a village in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu plan to convert to Islam, blaming it on social stigma and the state government’s failure to meet their economic demands. “All Dalits in the village intend converting to Islam,” said the local panchayat (village governing body) president, Murthy. “The upper…