Source INDIA, September 21, 2017 (Quartz India by Vijay Prashad): In 1950, Aime Cesaire, one of the clearest voices of the 20th century, looked back at the long history of colonialism that was coming to an end. He wanted to judge colonialism from the ashes of Nazism, an ideology that surprised the innocent in Europe but which had been fostered…
Source BALI, February 20, 2019 (Coconuts): Indonesian Hindu groups are once again urging authorities to cut off Bali’s Internet supply during the holy day of Nyepi, which falls on Thursday, March 7, this year. Nyepi, which marks the beginning of the Saka New Year in Bali, is traditionally a time for silence and self reflection, during which work, travel, entertainment,…
Source UNITED KINGDOM, February 15, 2019 (Bloomberg Opinion by Shashi Tharoor): The recent flap over Winston Churchill — with Labour politician John McDonnell calling Britain’s most revered prime minister a “villain” and prompting a rebuke from the latter’s grandson–will astonish many Indians. That’s not because the label itself is a misnomer, but because McDonnell was exercised by the death of…
Source In the beginning, love arose, which was the primal germ cell of the mind. The seers, searching in their hearts with wisdom, discovered the connection of Being in Nonbeing. — Rig Veda 10.129.4
Source The arrogance of being knowledgeable is more dangerous than having no knowledge at all. — Sri Rameshabhai Oza, katha performer and our Hindu of the Year 2006
Source INDIA, February 14, 2019 (Hindustan Times): The government is counting on the brand equity of some of India’s best-known spiritual and yoga gurus to take the ancient physical and spiritual discipline to the world — albeit by bringing the world to India first. The ministries of human resource development and AYUSH (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy)…
Source CONCORD, CALIFORNIA, February 15, 2019 (The Pioneer, by Tamara Steiner):In a day-long celebration replete with religious rituals, Concord’s Shiva Murugan Temple (www.shivamurugantemple.org) broke ground January 26 for a new Shaivite Hindu temple at Concord Boulevard and Second Street. An estimated 2,000 people attended the Vastu Puja as the temple priest, the local architect and the general contractor placed six…
Source KOLKATA, INDIA, February 14, 2019 (My Nation): Bengal’s New Town has turned into a war zone after the police allegedly vandalized a temple situated in a village called Patharghata. According to the locals, the police initially objected to playing loudspeaker at a religious function but things escalated quickly and they started destroying the temple. Following this incident, the villagers…
Source There is no greater Truth than the Guru, no greater penance than the Guru, no knowledge greater than the Guru–therefore to that Guru I ever pay my homage. — Guru Gita 77
Source VRINDAVAN, INDIA, February 9, 2019 (Sunday Guardian by Prafull Goradia): Over the centuries, tens of thousands of temples were desecrated across India, the carnage not stopping even after 15 August 1947, especially in Kashmir and in parts of eastern and southern India. However, the desecration of Gobind Dev temple in Vrindavan is unique; it was neither complete nor was…