Page 112 - Religion Belief
Dress properly at Mahalaxmi temple, management committee says
The Pashchim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti has "appealed" devotees ahead of the Navratri festival not to wear short dresses when visiting the famous Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra. The decision of the Samiti (committee), which oversees the affairs over 3,000 temples in Western Maharashtra, has prompted women's rights activist Trupti Desai to warn of an agitation if there is an attempt to dictate any "dress code". Mahesh Jadhav, president of the government-appointed committee, said it has not laid down any dress code but only appealed devotees not to wear short dresses. Speaking to PTI over phone from Kolhapur, Jadhav said, "We have received thousands of letters and e-mails from all over the country, suggesting that sanctity of the temple should be maintained (by dressing properly). Two women members of the committee also agreed with this, so we passed a resolution two days ago, appealing people to dress appropriately when visiting the Mahalaxmi ...
Pope gives Chinese bishops 'warm welcome'
Pope Francis on Wednesday offered a "warm welcome" to two Chinese Catholic bishops attending a synod for the first time following a landmark deal between China and the Vatican. "Today, for the first time, we have also with us two bishops from mainland China," the pontiff said in a speech to kick off the month-long advisory body meeting on the role of young people in the 1.2 billion-member church. "We offer them our warm welcome: the communion of the entire episcopate with the successor of Peter is yet more visible thanks to their presence," he said. On September 22, the Vatican and China reached a provisional agreement under which Pope Francis recognised seven clergy initially ordained by Beijing without the Vatican's approval. The accord could pave the way for the normalisation of ties between the Catholic Church and the world's most populous country. One of those recognised, Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai, is attending the synod along with Bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaotin, another member .
DK to hold lectures series on 'Manu dharma'
Rationalist outfit and parent party of DMK, Dravidar Kazhagam said beginning Wednesday, its chief K Veeramani would deliver lectures on 'Manu dharma,' for three days. Manu dharma and Dr Ambedkar, Manu dharma and Thanthai Periyar are among the topics that would be taken up in the lecture series and it would be followed by a question and answer session, a DK release said. The events would be held at Periyar Thidal here, the headquarters of the Kazahagam.
Karisma Kapoor remembers 'big dadi' Krishna Raj Kapoor
Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor on Wednesday posted a heartfelt message for her late grandmother, Krishna Raj Kapoor, who passed away on Monday.Karisma posted an adorable picture on Instagram, where her kids Samiera Kapoor, Kiaan Raj Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan's son Taimur Ali Khan, can be seen sitting with their 'Big Dadi', brimming with smiles.The post was captioned as, "Remembering big dadi #family #memories."A lot of Bollywood celebrities were present at Krishna's funeral, including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Arjun Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Kareena Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan.However, Krishna's son Rishi Kapoor, Neetu and their son, Ranbir, were not present at the procession held yesterday owing to Rishi's medical treatment.However, Alia Bhatt, along with Karan Johar, was in attendance in order to make up for Alia's rumoured beau Ranbir's absence.Raj Kapoor married Krishna Malhotra in May 1946, a match arranged by their families. The ..
UP: 13 members of Muslim family convert to Hinduism
At least thirteen members of a Muslim family have recently converted to Hinduism in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district.Havan and Puja were also performed as the family members adopted Hinduism and changed their names in a ceremony held on Tuesday. The ceremony was performed under the directive of Yuva Hindu Vahini-Bharat.The family revealed that they willingly took the decision to change their religion, citing lack of support from their community following the alleged murder of a family member. They further said that the police declared the murder to be a suicide and neither the police nor their community helped them in getting justice.The family, which hails from Badarka village in the district, had shifted to Navada village in search of better prospects earlier this year. However, a member of the family was found dead a few months back."Justice was not served to us. My brother was murdered and they changed the entire story and nobody supported us. We then decided to change our ...
RTI query on Lord Krishna leaves officials flummoxed
An RTI query requesting the district authorities to provide the applicant a copy of Lord Krishna's birth certificate has left officials flummoxed. The Public Information Officer, Ramesh Chandra, said it's difficult to find answers to such questions related to public faith and personal beliefs and therefore, the department is in a dilemma. The RTI applicant, claiming to be from Chhattisgarh, had said in his application, "The country celebrated Krishna Janmashtami on September 3. Please provide a copy of Lord Krishna's birth certificate to prove he was born on this day." The applicant also asked the administration to provide evidence to "prove Lord Krishna was really a God".
Don Bosco statue desecrated in Assam
The statue of priest and educator St Don Bosco in front of the Bishop's House here in Sonitpur district was vandalised, a police officer said on Tuesday. Locals found the statue desecrated on Sunday morning and lodged a complaint at Tezpur police station, Sonitpur District Additional SP HQ Numal Mahanta said. The case was registered under sections of IPC, including 295 (defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion). Investigations are on, Mahanta said. Don Bosco, whose actual name is John Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century. "An FIR has been registered with the police. We hope that the culprits will be booked and faith and security of the Christian community will be restored," said Allen Brooks, spokesperson of the Assam Christian Forum. It is shocking that such an incident has happened in Tezpur, which is considered to be the cultural capital of Assam, Brooks said. "It may be recalled that a few years ago, the Saint's ...
Upset over police treating son's death as suicide, Muslim man embraces Hinduism with family
Upset over police treating his son's 'unnatural death' as suicide rather than a murder, a Muslim man has embraced Hinduism along with 12 of his family members, according to officials here. Akhtar, resident of Badarkha village under Chhaprauli police station area, switched over to Hinduism Monday along with family members and subsequently submitted an affidavit to the area sub-divisional magistrate, testifying to their voluntary change of religion, officials said. Akhtar later told reporters that he felt the religion change might spur police to "properly investigate his son's murder". Baghpat District Magistrate Rishirendra Kumar confirmed the incident and said the family members changed their religion as they were not satisfied with the police probe into the death of Akhtar's son a few months ago. The family changed their religion amid requisite religious rituals, including a 'hawan', said Yuva Hindu Vahini (Bharat) state chief Shaukendra Khokhar on Tuesday. Khokhar said Akhtar was ..
Nation remembers Gandhi as champion of non-violence, inclusive development
From school kids offering floral tributes at Rajghat to social media enthusiasts using special 'emojis' and hashtags, from political leaders talking about his message of non-violence and inclusive development to foreign dignitaries recalling him as "guide" in a troubled world, Mahtma Gandhi was remembered by one and all on his 149th birth anniversary on Tuesday. While Rajghat, the memorial dedicated to Gandhi in the national capital, was thronged by visitors since early morning by commoners and VIPs alike, special prayers and cleanliness drives were held throughout the country and at several places abroad to remember the national icon. However, thousands of protesting farmers marching towards Rajghat were stopped at the Delhi-UP border by the police, citing law and order issues. The police action was used by the opposition parties to slam the government for what they alleged was an "anti-farmer" stand to stop farmers from their peaceful protest on the 'International Day of ...
Work on to restore Srinagar mosque after 250 years
The restoration work at the historic Jamia Masjid began here on Tuesday after a gap of 250 years.
World community should come together to fight terror: VP
The entire world community should come together to fight terrorism, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said here Tuesday. He was speaking after inaugurating a newly-built dome complex housing a prayer hall at MIT World Peace University here. He also inaugurated 'World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy' organised by the varsity. "Violence and terror are the enemies of mankind. With violence one can not achieve one's objective...some people think bullet is more important than ballot but ballot can change the fate of anybody," he said. A bullet can kill a person, but the same bullet can also kill the one who fired it, he said. "Today I am saying it in Pune and you will understand (its import) after I leave here," Naidu said, adding that those who encourage extremism are harmful to society. In the past, only India spoke out against terrorism and countries in the West were not bothered about the issue, but after some major terrorist attacks, the US, Europe, Russia and other ...
Oppn can't oppose Ram temple: Mohan Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said even opposition parties cannot oppose a Ram temple in Ayodhya openly as the deity is revered by the country's majority. Speaking at a function held at Patanjali Yogpeeth on Monday, Bhagwat said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to constructing a Ram temple in Ayodhya but certain things take time. Every government has its limitations and it has to perform within those constraints. However, saints and seers are beyond such limitations and they should work for the uplift of religion, country and society, the RSS chief said. "Even opposition parties cannot openly oppose a Ram temple in Ayodhya as they are aware the deity is revered by a majority of Indians. But certain things take time," Bhagwat said. "Every government has its limitations but a government doing a good job should remain in power. It is important who occupies the seat of power," he said. Ramdev said sadhus will succeed where ministers and the rich ...
Revisiting 'My Experiments with Truth' on Gandhi's 149th birth anniversary
As expressive of his faults and follies as of his vigour and virtues, Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography -- read, discussed, debated, admired and critiqued widely -- is the living testament of Bapus coming to terms with "satya", for he never claimed to have been all truthful, as those who preach his preachings today do. His was a lived faith and his own realisation of truth(s), in its myriad forms, came during the course of penning what became the monumental "The Story of My Experiments With Truth".
Prez Kovind, PM Modi pay tributes to Gandhi, Shahstri on their birth anniversaries
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on his 149th birth anniversary, urging the people to rededicate themselves to the values espoused by the leader and fulfil his dreams. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi also paid homage to the father of the nation at his iconic memorial here amid the strains of 'bhajans'. Kovind and Modi also greeted people on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and urged people to imbibe the values he stood for. "Homage to Bapu on #GandhiJayanti. Let us rededicate ourselves to the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi - peace, fraternity, harmony and inclusive national development. Gandhiji's message remains relevant for all and he continues to be our guiding light," the President tweeted. Modi also took to Twitter to extol the virtues of Gandhi, who led the nation to freedom, riding a path of non-violence. "The noble thoughts of Mahatma .
Krishna Raj Kapoor kept together vast family of celebrated individuals: Big B
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has mourned the death of Krishna Raj Kapoor, the widow of the legendary Bollywood actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, and said she kept together a vast family of "celebrated individuals".
Rahul's visit to Shiva temples political gimmick: Giriraj Singh
Union minister Giriraj Singh Monday said the visits of Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Shiva temples and Kailash Mansarovar was a "political gimmick". He also said a Ram temple in Ayodhya will be built jointly by Hindus and Muslims. "The expulsion of Congress workers from the party for chanting in praise of Lord Shiva, shows that Rahul Gandhi's visit to Shiva temples is nothing but a sort of a political gimmick," the minister said addressing a public meeting in Naujheel town, about 70 km from here. On population growth in the country, he said it is likely to become a curse, if it is not controlled by the people voluntarily. Speaking on the occasion actress-turned-politician Hema Malini said the country is moving fast on the road of development under stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I have come to serve Brijwasis as Gopi, since I am lucky to represent land of Radha Rani and Krishna, and I want some industries to come to Mathura to generate employment," the Mathura MP ..
RIP Mrs Raj Kapoor. Dignity was your middle name
I met Mrs Krishna Raj Kapoor only once, and that too briefly. But her grace, dignity and warmth left a lasting impression on me.
'Computer Baba' resigns from MP cabinet
A religious leader popularly known as 'Computer Baba' quit Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government on Monday. He along with four other Hindu spiritual leaders were inducted in Chouhan's cabinet with minister of state rank in April.Announcing his decision, 'Computer Baba' accused the Chief Minister of not paying heed to his proposals on issues such as the condition of cows and alleged illegal mining in Narmada river. "I discussed the condition of cows and illegal mining in Narmada river but I was not allowed to do anything. I could not put forth the thoughts of saints before the government and therefore, I do not want to be a part of such government," he said while addressing a press conference here.The seer, whose real name is Swami Namdev Tyagi, accused Chouhan of being against the idea of religion. "We have a system where all saints sit together and decide things. They (saints) said that I failed to make Shivraj government do anything, I think they are right. During my ...
Muslims are descendants of Lord Ram: Giriraj Singh
Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh on Monday appealed to Muslims to help in the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, claiming that they, too, were the "descendants of Lord Rama, and not Babur".If Muslims do not help in the construction of the Ram Temple, he asserted: "I will be anguished because Muslims too hail from the descendants of Lord Ram and not from Babur or his lineage."He further said that if Hindus ran out of patience, they would take over Mathura, Ayodhya and Kashi.The Union Minister also launched a scathing attack on the Congress and accused its president Rahul Gandhi of expelling party workers who worship Lord Shiva and for chanting, "Har Har Mahadev."Continuing his tirade, Singh said: "If you are true Hindus, then stop having beef in your parties and stop visiting temples just before the elections."Singh stirred a controversy earlier also for stating that Muslims should support the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. "I believe
2 Chinese bishops participating in Vatican synod in a first
Two bishops from China are coming to the Vatican this week for a global meeting of bishops in the first tangible sign of the breakthrough deal between the Vatican and Beijing over bishop nominations. The Vatican confirmed Monday that Bishops Guo Jincai of Chengde and Yang Xiaoting will participate, at the invitation of Pope Francis. It's the first time that bishops from mainland China have participated in a synod, the regular gathering of bishops at the Vatican to discuss pressing issues facing the Catholic Church. The three-week meeting dedicated to young people opens Wednesday. Last month, the Vatican and China inked a deal over nominating bishops. Details haven't been released, but Francis says it involves a process of dialogue, including to nominate candidates, but that he has the final say.