Source INDIA, November 18, 2017 (EPW by O.B. Roopesh): The appointment of Dalit priests to temples in Kerala has been engendered by the growing departure of Brahmin youth from priestly jobs, coupled with existing aspirations of the lower castes to become priests in Brahminical temples. This move is aimed at the formation of a cohesive “Hindu community” through the reconfiguration…
Source India has come to preserve spiritual traditions which many ancient cultures and countries have lost. Today Hinduism represents not only India but the ancient wisdom of humanity. In Hinduism many ancient countries can still rediscover their religious past, their old Gods and their old spiritual traditions.— Ram Swarup (1920-1998), Indian writer and scholar
Source INDIA, November 14, 2017 (The Hindu by T. Ramakrishnan): India and Sri Lanka should take up repatriation of Tamil refugees at the earliest. In recent months, the focus of the media has been on the Rohingya refugees in India. But the plight of Sri Lankan refugees, who have been here for nearly 35 years, appears to have gone out…
Source MANILLA, PHILIPPINES, November 13, 2017 (Economic Times): A musical performance based on the epic Ramayana today drew loud applause from world leaders and delegates at a grand opening ceremony of the two- day ASEAN summit. The play reflected India’s cultural linkages with the Philippines and several member countries of the 10-member powerful bloc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President…
Source Other religions have all been founded by individuals, but Hinduism is not based on the teachings of any one single person. Before any prophet was born, the Sanatana Dharma was there.— Swami Rama Thirtha (1873-1906)
Source TIRUVANNAMALAI INDIA, November 8, 2017 (The Hindu): This Karthigai Deepam (December 2), devotees will not be allowed to climb up the Annamalai Hills in Tiruvannamalai during the festival of Karthigai Deepam which attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers. Collector K.S. Kandasamy said this decision was taken keeping in mind the safety of devotees. “Every year, at least five to…
Source How can one realize that which alone is real? All we need to do is to give up our habit of regarding as real that which is unreal. Reality alone will remain, and we will be That.— Sri Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), South Indian mystic
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 12, 2017 (Le Temps, translated from French): In Murugavel Janakiraman’s office, drawings of his daughter are pinned next to the family photos. He proudly presents the portraits of his children Arjun and Anisha, his mother, who lives under his roof, and Deepa, his wife, whom he married through Matrimony.com, the most popular matrimonial site in…
Source It is impossible for me to reconcile with the idea of conversion as it happens today. It is an error and perhaps the greatest impediment to the world’s progress toward peace. Why should a Christian want to convert a Hindu? Why should he not be satisfied if the Hindu is a good or godly man?— Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Source SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, November 10, 2017: After more than a decade of constructive civic engagement with the California Department of Education, the Hindu American community won a significant victory yesterday in its quest for an accurate, equitable, and culturally competent portrayal of Hinduism and India in California textbooks. In its final public hearing, the Department’s State Board of Education (SBE)…