SourceIDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, USA, November 1, 2004: (HPI Note: Occasionally a news item catches our attention because it reports a potentially remarkable scientific advancement.) Scientists at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory say they have developed the first system to convert dirty diesel fuel into a quiet, self-contained and efficient energy source. The system is the product of six…
SourceAUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, November 1, 2004: Thousands of people from many cultures helped Auckland’s Indian community celebrate Deepavali yesterday in the Town Hall and outside on Queen St. A constant stream of people moved from the Town Hall, where music, dance, art and a fashion show provided most of the entertainment, to Queen St where a stage was set up…
SourceMALAYSIA, October 24, 2004: Deepavali, the Festival of Light, brings joy, happiness and prosperity to every Hindu home. It is on this auspicious day–on November 11 this year–that the Goddess of wealth, Devi Mahalakshmi, is said to visit people’s homes. To show respect to the Goddess, it is important that the home be prepared properly, says Star columnist T. Selva.…
SourceTRINIDAD, October 23, 2004: Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Secretary General Satnarayan Maharaj has accused the Ministry of Education of attempting to convert non-Christian pupils through a national school singing competition. The preliminaries of the Caroni Education Division singing competition began yesterday at several venues in Central Trinidad. It is being sponsored by the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. Bank…
SourcePORT BLAIR, ANDAMANS, October 27, 2004: Under the British raj, the islands of Andaman and Nicobar began as a colony for convicts. Many of today’s islanders are descendants of those very convicts. But interestingly the old penal colony has left behind a very homogenous society, where caste, creed and communal tension find absolutely no space. The serene island was once…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, October 27, 2004: In an indirect move to curb forced marriages within the Asian community in Britain, the country’s Foreign and Home Offices have decided to raise the minimum age for such marriages from 16 to 18. This tough approach is not aimed at arranged marriages per se, but more against such relationships being promoted and encouraged within…
SourceTIRUPATI, INDIA, October 28, 2004: A majority of the speakers at a meeting here supported the demolition of the 1000-pillar mantap and said that the structure had no connection with the temple and had no Agama Shastra (religious texts dealing with temple construction) importance. However, one of the speakers at Wednesday’s meeting, a former deputy executive officer of the TTD,…
NewsdayNEW YORK, NEW YORK, October 27, 2004: (HPI note: This Newsday article updates the situation with the Flushing temple.) For the thousands of faithful who worship in Flushing at the country’s oldest Hindu temple, it is considered a sanctuary. But in recent months, the Ganesha Temple, named after the Hindu elephant-headed Deity, has become the focus of an increasingly heated…
SourceDELHI, INDIA, October 28, 2004: The article at “source” from India quotes several astrologers who predict that John Kerry will win the US presidential elections. “Kerry is likely to beat Bush in the final verdict,” predicts renowned astrologer Ajai Bhambi, also author of the bestseller “Be Your Own Astrologer.” “Bush’s horoscope shows Saturn, Venus and Mercury. They are all placed…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, October 30, 2004: A new report prepared by the British Government has suggested that by the age of 16, students should have a working knowledge and understanding of at least six principal religions. Quoting extensively from the report, The Telegraph says that apart from studying Christianity, the other five principal religions in Britain that need to be taught…