Page 162 - Religion Belief
President Kovind to not host Iftar party in Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Ram Nath Kovind will not host an Iftar party this year, in accordance with his decision to not observe any religious functions inside Rashtrapati Bhawan on taxpayer expense.Kovind, who assumed office last July, decided not to use Rashtrapati Bhavan for any religious observance."After the President took over office, he decided there would be no religious celebrations or observances in a public building such as Rashtrapati Bhavan on taxpayer expense," Press Secretary to President Ashok Malik told ANI."President Kovind did not celebrate any religious festivities such as Diwali, Christmas and Holi though he wished all fellow citizens on every major religious festival since he assumed office last July," he added.He further said that the decision is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all religious occasions, irrespective of religion.Hosting Iftar party was resumed when Pratibha Patil became president. Her successor Pranab Mukherjee continued the ...
Ramdev, U'khand CM rehearse for International Yoga Day
Days ahead of the International Yoga Day, Yoga guru Ramdev and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Thursday took part in a curtain raiser event in Dehradun.Ramdev and the Chief Minister along with other participants also rehearsed for the International Yoga Day, which will be celebrated all across the globe on June 21.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to take part in the event.International Yoga Day was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice.
No Iftar party at Rashtrapati Bhavan this year
After nearly a decade, Rashtrapati Bhavan will not host an Iftar party this year with President Ram Nath Kovind stating that there should no religious observance at taxpayer's expense at the public building.
No Iftar party at Rashtrapati Bhavan this year
President Ram Nath Kovind will not host an Iftar party this year at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "After the President took over office, he decided there would be no religious celebrations or observances in a public building such as Rashtrapati Bhavan on taxpayer expense. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all religious occasions, irrespective of religion," said Ashok Malik, Press Secretary to the president. He said the president of course wishes all fellow citizens on every major religious festivals. After a gap of a decade there will be no Iftar celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Iftar parties have been traditionally hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan except during the tenure of A P J Abdul Kalam, who was the president from 2002-2007, officials said. Iftar is the breaking of the 'roza' (fast) that is observed by the Muslims during the month of Ramzan.
JuD criticises Pakistani politicians for seeking aid from West
The Jamaat-ud-Dawa has criticized the politicians while calling them as 'beggars' during a Friday sermon in Rawalpindi city.JuD's Amir, Maulana Abdul Rahman, called Pakistani politicians as a threat to Islam as they go to foreign countries seeking aid.He said, "Those (rulers) which go to foreign countries for seeking aid are not welcomed in Islam".JuD is a religious wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit headed by Hafiz Mohammed Saeed. It has recently formed Milli Muslim League, an Islamist political party to fight elections in the country this year.The JuD Amir criticised Pakistani rulers begging before America and bowing their heads in front of infidels. He said, "The Muslims have only one God and no Muslim can go and seek help from any other person particularly President Trump. Pakistanis cannot be a slave to others"."Our rulers followed policies formulated in the West to end laws like Blasphemy and 'Khatm-e-Nabuwat' in order to declare Pakistan a secular state by amending pro-Islam
Goldberg wins main event
'Goldberg' ridden by jockey C Umesh and trained by P Krishna won the 'THE I AM IN WANT PLATE', the chief event of the races held here today. The winner is owned by C Gnanavel. Trainer Mandanna saddled three winners while jockey C Umesh rode four winners. Four favourites obliged in a card of eight events.
UP on alert: Security beefed up after terror threat
Security has been beefed up across Uttar Pradesh following threats received from the Pakistan-based militant organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).According to sources, authorities at Northern Railways received a letter on May 29 in which LeT area commander, Maulana Ambu Shaikh, threatened to blow up several railway stations and prominent temples like the Krishna Janmabhoomi and Kashi Vishwanath.In Mathura, security measures have been considerably notched up, with Police officials and commandos being deployed at the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Bankey Bihari Temple, Mathura Junction, Mathura Refinery and other important locations."The security arrangements here have always been up to the mark, but whenever we get any inputs like these, we ensure the security is further tightened," Superintendent of Police, Siddharth Verma told ANI.However, the pilgrims in the city remain unfazed by these threats, saying that there will be no harm caused to them as their god was watching over them."There ...
UP cops issue alert after LeT threatens to blow up stations, temples
Police in Uttar Pradesh has issued a statewide alert after the LeT threatened to blow up several stations as well as the Krishna Janmabhoomi and the Kashi Vishwanath temples in a letter by a commander of the group, a senior official said today. The letter, sent to Northern Railways last month, was purportedly sent by Lashkar-e-Taiba area commander Maulana Ambu Shaikh, he said. The letter was received by the Northern Railways, New Delhi, on May 29. It threatened to blow up the Saharanpur and Hapur railway stations and other stations as well. "In the wake of the letter, an alert has been issued across the state," the senior police official told PTI. It also threatens to carry out blasts at the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and mentions the dates, June 8-10, the official said. Officials have been directed to keep strict vigil across the state and ensure proper security of sensitive places.
Cambodia, The Home of Angkor Vat, has potential to be the fifth Hindu 'Dhaam'
The home of the holy Angkor Vat temple, Cambodia is fast on its way to being developed as the Fifth Dhaam (pilgrim spot) of Hindus. A major initiative in this direction has been taken by Shailesh Hiranandani of SRAM MRAM Ltd., in step with the campaign of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).The effort of holding a grand event to promote the cause was lauded by member of the RSS national committee Indresh Kumar, as he witnessed the huge congregation in Cambodia on May 31. Appreciating the efforts made, Kumar said that with a shrine as revered as Angkor Vat & mountain Kulen Cambodia deserved to be the fifth pilgrim spot for Hindus. He also stressed awareness about the glorious heritage and spread of Hindu values.On the occasion, Founder of SRAM MRAM Ltd. Shailesh Hiranandani said, "Tourists from all over the world visit Cambodia to experience the mystic charm of Angkor Vat temple. There is a lot in Cambodia that defines Hinduism. It is commendable the way support is being extended
LeT threatens bomb blasts in UP, high alert sounded
The Uttar Pradesh Police sounded a high alert across the state on Wednesday after a letter was received in the name of banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) threatening bomb blasts at Krishna Janmabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Hapur and Saharanpur railway stations, police said.
Conversion is not a solution: Anil Vij on Dalits conversion to Buddhism
A day after 120 Dalits in Haryana converted to Buddhism, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that such steps will not provide any solution."One must stand by his religion. If they had a problem, we could have looked for a solution. Some demands had been agreed to," the Haryana Minister told ANI."Using conversion to make someone agree with you isn't right," Vij added.On June 2, 120 Dalits from Jind district converted to Buddhism after their certain demands were not met, despite staging a 115 days long protest.Earlier in the week, the Dalits had demanded an ordinance by the state government against the Supreme Court ruling that had made amendments to the Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Archbishop's letter not against any party, says Secretary to Bishop
Reacting to on Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao's annual pastoral letter, Secretary to Bishop, Father Joaquim L Pereira on Tuesday said that the Archbishop's statements does not target any political party in particular."He made statements about governance not about any Party. We don't do partisan politics, we are interested in getting right people elected," Pereira told ANI.Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has issued a letter saying that the Constitution is in danger, and most of the people are living in insecurity.The Archbishop has called upon the people to strive to know the Constitution and to protect it with values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practise one's religion.The letter, issued at the beginning of Pastoral Year (June 1 to May 31), is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.Archbishop Ferrao's letter comes a week after Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto had asked the Christian community to observe a fast on Fridays and ...
Assam Congress urges Pranab Mukherjee to reconsider attending RSS conference
Assam Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP, Ripun Bora on Tuesday wrote to former President Pranab Mukherjee asking him to reconsider his decision to attend the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) conference.Bora said it is surprising that Mukherjee being a strong supporter of Congress ideology of secularism accepted the invitation of the RSS who is totally opposed to it.He accused the RSS of not respecting the national flag, propagating the idea of one nation one religion and held them responsible for the growth of social and religious intolerance in the country."You are going to attend the meeting of such an organisation who never respects the National flag of our country. This is the organisation who is now propagating the idea of one Nation one religion," he wrote."This is the organisation that is responsible for the unabated growth of social and religious intolerance and politics of religious polarization during this four years misrule of BJP govt. at centre under Prime Minister ..
HC orders biometric device in temple to check unauthorised staff
The Madras High Court bench here today ordered a biometric attendance system to be put in place for the staff of the famous Lord Muruga temple in Tiruchendur on a PIL that alleged fleecing of devotees by unauthorised priests in the name of god. A division bench of justices M V Muralidaran and T Krishnavalli gave the direction to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and the joint commissioner of the Sri Subramaniaswamy temple, located on the shores of Tiruchendur, about 180 km from here. The temple is among the six highly revered abodes of Lord Muruga in the state and thronged by a large number of devotees. The court was passing orders on a PIL filed by R S Kalyanasundaram, a devotee, who alleged that unauthorised persons were collecting huge amounts of money from the devotees in the name of god and also causing loss to the temple. The bench also directed the temple authorities to warn the legally-appointed priests that they should not ...
Goa church flip flops on Constitution comment
The Goa Church on Tuesday tried to tone down the sharp criticism of the political environment in India in Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao's annual pastoral letter, with a senior official at the Bishop's House insisting that "one or two statements" made by the top church functionary were taken out of context.
Mirwaiz says youths can question Kashmiri separatists
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Tuesday defended a youth who questioned the bona fides of separatist leaders in Kashmir, saying young people like him have every right to vent their emotions.
Malaysia appoints ethnic Indian as new attorney general
Malaysia's king has approved the appointment of an ethnic Indian lawyer as the new attorney general, amid protests from Islamic groups that the job must be held by a Muslim. A palace statement says Sultan Muhammad V has approved terminating current Attorney General Mohamad Apandi Ali and replacing him with Tommy Thomas, the first minority to hold the post in 55 years. Groups representing ethnic Malays, who make up two-thirds of Malaysia's 31 million people, have demanded the top legal job be given to a Muslim to protect the status of Islam as the official religion. The statement today said the king urged all Malaysians to ensure Thomas' appointment doesn't "create religious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be treated fairly regardless of race and religion.
Constitution in danger: Goa-Daman archbishop
Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has said that Constitution was in danger and many people are living in an atmosphere of insecurity. In a letter addressed to Christians, he said the constitution should be understood better as general elections are drawing closer. The archbishop also said that human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril. The letter, issued in the beginning of Pastoral Year that lasts from June 1 to May 31, is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. "Today, our Constitution is in danger (and that is) the reason why most of the people are living in insecurity," the archbishop said. "In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it," the letter stated. The archbishop said that "in recent times, we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, ...
Chhattisgarh CM worships at Tirumala temple
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near here today. Raman Singh, with his family members arrived here last night and after an overnight stay on the hills, paid obeisance to Lord Venkateswara this morning, temple sources said. Immediately after offering worship at the temple, he left for Raipur, they said.
Constitution in danger, human rights trampled: Goa Archbishop
The Indian Constitution is in danger, Goa's Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has said, adding that a "new trend" of mono-culturalism, which demands uniformity in what and how one eats, dresses, lives and even worships, is putting human rights at risk.