GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 18, 2001: Kumbh Nagari has become the focus of intense politicking over the Vishwa Hindu Parishad sponsored Dharam Sansad. The VHP is attempting to use the Maha Kumbh Mela to advance its Ram Temple agenda. By setting up a camp that towers over the camps set up by the akharas (traditional monastic orders, several…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 20, 2001: After attempting to organize an event where the next Sansad would be inaugurated, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was left with a no-show by the established dharmacharyas. Thirteen major akharas refused to attend the Dharam Sansad, meeting of saints, aimed at discussing issues facing the Hindu world. Relenting somewhat in the final moments,…
GO TO SOURCE KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 19, 2001: By introducing the consequence of caning for delinquent acts of gambling, swearing or carrying cigarettes, Malaysia’s Penang state hopes to deter the bad habits in students. Under the demerit system where 10 points brings one stroke of the cane, even dyeing hair or wearing costume jewelry can earn a student 5…
GO TO SOURCE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, January 21, 2001: The New Zealand Hindu Temple Society will conduct Thai Pusam festival on February 6. Special rituals and pujas to Lord Subramaniya are scheduled at Leichester Hall, 20 Findlay Street, Ellersile, Auckland, New Zealand beginning at 6.00pm. All contributions go towards the temple building fund. For more details email “Source” or write…
Source: Associated Press LUCKNOW, INDIA, January 18: The BBC and an independent TV station were accused by state authorities of being insensitive to Hindus when they focused their filming on scantily dressed women bathers and naked holy men at the Kumbha Mela in Allahabad, northern India. Sadakant, the festival commissioner alleged that the two networks misused their access to the…
GO TO SOURCE FARIDABAD, INDIA, January 13: In protest of the demolition of the Sidhdata Ashram, a crowd of over 1,000 devotees marched in angry protest, raising anti-government slogans and snarling traffic on major highways. On January 9, the Faridabad Administration demolished Sidhdata Ashram, a huge temple complex. While the ashram people assert that they had applied for allotment of…
Source: Hinduism Today, Paras Ramoutar SAN JUAN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: With Gandhian spirit Pundit Rambachan, spiritual leader of the El Socorro Hindu Temple in San Juan, uplifts the Hindu community. At 43 years of age he serves the Hindu faith tirelessly by conducting regular visits to homes, leading satsangs, offering personal guidance, and hosting a radio program. Instilling religious pride…
GO TO SOURCE WASHINGTON, D.C., January 17, 2001: Biotech companies that produce genetically modified foods will now have to operate under more stringent guidelines, albeit those endorsed by the companies themselves. New government rules proposed by the Food and Drug Administration require companies to give four months advance notice before marketing new products. Description of the genetic modification used and…
Source: The Telegraph, Calcutta MAIDAN, INDIA, January 9, 2001: Compared to the expected annual 50,000 sadhus that pilgrimage to Maiden for Ganga Sagar Mela, a mere 5,000 are present. Small numbers are attributed to the Maha Kumbh Mela, a rare sacred event coinciding with Ganga Mela this year.Volunteer organizations are disappointed with the turnout at Maidan after preparation for a…
Source: Madhya Pradesh Chronicle AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT, January 8, 2001: Other major cities have reverted to their pre-colonial names, Bombay to Mumbai and Madras to Chennai. Now major Hindu organizations in Gujarat’s city of Ahmedabad are pushing for a name change from Ahmedabad to Karnavati. Karna Deva was the name of a Hindu sovereign that defeated a tribal ruler in the…