Page 175 - Religion Belief
Asaram verdict shows Hindu religion needs awakening: Sena
Self-styled godman Asaram's conviction in a rape case shows that the Hindu religion needs an awakening, the Shiv Sena said today. Asaram getting life in jail was a "big victory" for the survivor, Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told reporters here. "Any person can today call himself an incarnation of God, when he is not. Asaram proved this through his actions. His bhakts may have been unhappy with the verdict, but it was a big victory for the minor who was raped by him," she said. "This verdict also indicates that the Hindu religion needed an awakening before and does so even now," Gorhe said. It was unfortunate that people who believed in the Hindu religion did not escape the clutches of fake godmen, she said. "One should only keep a relation with God and stay away from these middlemen," the Sena leader said. A Jodhpur court today sentenced 77-year-old Asaram to life in prison for raping a teenage girl in his ashram five years ago, the second case of a powerful spiritual leader being .
Surat diamantaire, family become Jain monks
A Surat-based family of a diamond trader today became Jain monks at a ceremony organised in Sabarmati area in Ahmedabad. Sanjay Shah (53), his wife Nitaben (49), their daughter Pooja (26) and son Darshil (24) became Jain monks and nuns at the function held under the aegis of Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Sangh, according to its trustees. "Sanjay Shah, who was into diamond trading in Surat, along with his entire family took 'diksha' (consecration) today. While Shah's son is pursuing chartered accountancy, his daughter Pooja is a gold medallist in B.Com," said Paresh Shah, who is associated with the Jain Sangh. In a similar event held in Adajan area of Surat today, one Heta Shah (30), an NRI who had worked at a Canada-based MNC after completing her MS in Chemistry, became a Jain nun. Heta will now be known as 'Hitatma Rekhashrijee', said her relative Rupesh Shah. "Heta became a Jain nun today. She wanted to live this simple life after interacting with Jain monks in 2010 during
India-Mongolia with Buddhist traditions have role to counter radicalism: Sushma Swaraj
India and Mongolia have "crucial" role to counter growing radicalism given their Buddhist traditions, underscored External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday."Many regions of the world today, including our own region, is witnessing a trend of radicalism. Such radicalism provides a fertile ground for terrorism to flourish. It then spreads to the neighbouring areas and engulfs the entire region. In such difficult times, there is a need for a philosophy that teaches peace and tolerance. Countries like India and Mongolia with our strong Buddhist traditions have a crucial role to counter this trend of radicalism," Swaraj, said, in her keynote speech at an event to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Late Venerable 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche in Mongolian capital city, Ulaanbaatar."In today's times, when there is rising violence and extremism spread in the name of faith, there is increasing need to follow the Buddhist path of peace and tolerance," the EAM added.Kushok ...
India revitalising Buddhist heritage through ties with Mongolia: Sushma
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that India is reviving its Buddhist heritage through its ties with Mongolia and that the two countries are more spiritual partners than strategic.
India-Mongolia ties not of convenience but of trust, spiritual strength: Swaraj
India and Mongolia share a unique partnership which is not of convenience but a relationship of "trust and spiritual strength", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said. Swaraj in her keynote speech at the 100th birth anniversary of the Venerable 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, said the spiritual connection through Buddhism provides strength to the relationship between the two countries. Kushok Bakula was not only an eminent Buddhist leader, but also the longest serving Ambassador of India to Mongolia. Kushok Bakula served as India's Ambassador to Mongolia from 1990 - 2000. He also served as a minister in Jammu and Kashmir. The event marked his contribution to the promotion of Buddhism in Mongolia and to the deepening of civilisational and spiritual bonds between the two countries. "India and Mongolia share a unique partnership. The spiritual connection through Buddhism provides strength to our relationship. It is not a partnership of convenience but a relationship of trust and
Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Abdul Rehman Makki insults Guru Nanak Dev
Global terrorist Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law and the second-in-command of terror outfit LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), Abdul Rehman Makki, has used foul language against Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, at an event in Multan city of Pakistan.Makki's remarks are an eye opener for those Sikh militants who have taken shelter in Pakistan to wage acts of terror against India in the name of the so-called Khalistan movement. Makki has lashed out against the Sikh faith and has even gone to the extend of calling them " infidels ".Makki, in his speech delivered to the LeT/JuD followers in Multan said , "The dirty conspiracy of denigrating Islam has been continuing for centuries. The emergence of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of Sikhs, was also part of the conspiracy and he (Guru Nanak) was equally a culprit of maligning Islam."He also made derogatory remarks against the Sikhs, their faith and ideology and accused them of hatching conspiracy against Islam."About 350 years ago, someone ...
Idol of Radha and crown of Lord Krishna stolen from temple
An ashtadhatu idol of Shree Radha and a crown of same metal of Lord Krishna were stolen from a temple at Chautham bazaar in Khagaria district, the police said. The ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals) idol of Sree Radha and the crown of Lord Krishna were stolen from the Ram Janki Thakurbari temple in the night of Monday, they said. There was an attempt to steal the idol of Lord Krishna, but they could not, the police said. The idol and the crown were valued at around Rs three lakh, the police said adding that the locals claimed that the idols were 70 to 80 years old. The people came to know about the theft when they had come to the temple to offer their prayers in the morning yesterday and informed the police.
Swaraj visits Buddhist monastery ahead of 6th India-Mongolia meet
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday met her counterpart Damdin Tsogtbaatar ahead of the 6th round of India-Mongolia Joint Consultative Committee meeting.Swaraj, who is the first Indian foreign minister to visit in Mongolia in 42 years, is on a two-day visit to the Buddhist nation.Earlier, she commenced the day with a visit to Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, where she was welcomed by the chief abbott of Mongolian Buddhism, Hambo Lama D. Choijamts."The Gandan Tegchenling monastery is known to be the centre of Mongolian Buddhist and a treasure house of a valuable Buddhist heritage, knowledge and unique rituals." as said by Kumar," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.Later in the day, the foreign minister is scheduled to address a gathering to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Buddhist Lama Kushok Bakula at Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.She will also hold a meeting with the senior dignitaries and diplomats followed by an interaction with
Eighteen killed in Nigerian church by suspected herdsmen
Two priests were among at least 18 people killed in a dawn attack on a church in central Nigeria, police said today. Around 30 suspected herdsmen attacked Mbalom community in the volatile region killing the worshippers and the two priests, said Benue state police commissioner Fatai Owoseni in the state capital of Makurdi. "They attacked the venue of a burial ceremony and also attacked the church where the two reverend fathers were holding mass," said Owoseni. "We were able to recover 16 bodies from the scene of the attack and those of the two priests." Worshippers were gathered for the daily 5:30 am (0430GMT) service at St. Ignatius Catholic church when they heard gunshots, said Mbalom resident Terhemen Angor to AFP. "People started scampering and wailing," said Angor, saying that scores were "gunned down in cold blood while many sustained injuries including bullet wounds." "After attacking the church, the invaders descended on the community and razed over 60 houses," he said. "The ...
The Allahabad High Court has sought the state government's stand on a plea challenging ...
The Allahabad High Court has sought the state government's stand on a plea challenging the denial of permission by Sambhal district magistrate to build Puja Garbhgrih' (sanctum sanctorum) of a village temple in the district. A bench of justices Krishna Murari and Ashok Kumar also sought the Sambhal DM's reply to the petition challenging his order that denied permission to build the sanctum sanctorum of the temple of deity Kalki at Achora Kambo village in the district. The bench issued the directions on a petition by Acharya Pramod Krishnam challenging the DM's order, which had refused to grant permission to build the Kalki Dham' temple on October 30, 2017 on the ground that a temple with same name existed merely 20 kms away. The petitioner added the permission to build the temple was denied also on the ground that there was a mosque at distance of 144 meter from the land. Acharya Krishnam claimed in his petition that he has been organising the Kalki mahotsav for over last ten years ...
Diamantaire, family from Surat to embrace Jain monastic life
A Surat-based diamond trader, along with his family, would embrace monkhood tomorrow at a ceremony to be held in the Sabarmati area here, trustees of a Jain religious body said today. Sanjay Shah (53), his wife Nitaben (49), along with their daughter Pooja (26) and son Darshil (24), would become Jain monks and nuns at the ceremony tomorrow, to be held under the aegis of the Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Sangh, its trustees said. "Sanjay Shah, who was into diamond trading in Surat, along with his entire family would take 'diksha' (consecration) tomorrow. While Shah's son is pursuing Chartered Accountancy, his daughter Pooja is a B Com gold medallist," said Nilay Savla, who is associated with the Sangh. Elsewhere in Surat, a non-resident Indian woman, who worked at a multinational company after completing her Master of Science in Chemistry, would also take 'diksha' at a ceremony, one of her relatives said. "Heta Shah (30) will become a Jain nun at a function tomorrow in Surat. She ...
Decision on allowing Non Hindus at temple 'Ottupura' put on
Days after permitting entry of Non-Hindus to the 'oottupura' (temple dining hall) attached to the famous Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, temple authorities today decided to keep it on hold, apparently following opposition. According to temple sources, the temple tantri (Head Priest) and a section of devotees had raised objections to the managing committee's decision of April 18 following which it was decided to keep the matter on hold. The committee, which met here today, also decided not to implement its decision to lift restrictions on dress code imposed at the dining hall. The committee had on April 18 allowed devotees to wear shirts, pants and footwear at the oottupura. The sources said since the 'devaprashanam' (astrological examination to know the divine will) was due to be held in another six months, the committee felt that this matter also would be taken up. This was a matter which required the consensus of all"and the temple authorities did not want to have any .
Inflammatory speech by Houthi leader targeting Baha'is in Yemen: Indian Baha'i body
A leader of the Houthis in Yemen has denounced the Baha'i faith, further intensifying the ongoing persecution of the community in that country, an organisation representing the Baha'is community in India has said. Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis (an Islamic religious political armed movement) in Yemen, gave a speech recently to rally Yemenis against foreign powers and ideologies, it claimed. Not only is the content of al-Houthi's speech deeply concerning, but also its context and some of its immediate consequences, said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i international community to the United Nations. Dugal said al-Houthi's has influence over a large number of armed followers and his latest speech is a call for mass atrocities against a religious minority which is genocidal in intent, according to a statement issued by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India. There are about two million followers of Baha'i faith in India. In order to ...
British Diplomat apologizes over Golden Temple gaffe
Top diplomat in Britain's Foreign Office Sir Simon McDonald has apologized after he called Amritsar's Golden Temple a mosque."I was wrong: I am sorry. I should of course have said the Golden Temple or, better, Sri Harmandir Sahib," Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald tweeted.McDonald, in one of his tweets, had mentioned the Golden Temple in Amritsar, as Golden Mosque which is in Lahore. The mosque is actually known as the Sunehri Mosque."At QBP in Chandigarh @SinghLions presented @DHCAndrewAyre with picture of HM The Queen at Golden Mosque in Amritsar in 1997, a permanent memento for Deputy High Commission's wall @UKinIndia," McDonald had tweeted.
Top UK diplomat calls Sikh temple mosque, apologises
A top UK diplomat has called one of India's holiest places, the Golden Temple, a mosque following which he apologised for the gaffe amid protests by the Sikh community. Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, referred to the Golden Temple in Amritsar as the "Golden Mosque" in a tweet yesterday. "At Queen's Birthday party, presented with picture of The Queen at Golden Mosque in Amritsar in 1997, a permanent memento for Deputy High Commission's wall," he tweeted. On realising his mistake, he apologised for the gaffe. The Foreign Office top diplomat said this morning: "I was wrong: I am sorry. I should of course have said the Golden Temple or, better, Sri Harmandir Sahib". However, Bhai Amrik Singh, the chairman of the Sikh Federation, said: "This was a major gaffe by a top civil servant and totally unacceptable. It demonstrates a remarkable level of ignorance from someone in his position". "In our view, a public apology and admitting the mistake is
Kerala professor opens library on Sachin Tendulkar
A history professor from Malabar Christian College in Kozhikode city in Kerala has set up a library on the 'master-blaster cricketer Sachin Tendulkar'.Speaking to ANI, Professor Vasisht Manikoth said, "All the books here are based on Sachin Tendulkar, published in the various languages of India."The library consists of 60 books on Sachin, published in eleven languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati & Hindi.Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who is also known as the 'God of Cricket' turned 45 today.
IPL SCOREBOARD DDvsKXIP
Scoreboard from the IPL match between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab at Feroze Shah Kotla ground, here today. Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul c A Khan b Plunkett 23 Aaron Finch c S Iyer b A Khan 2 Mayank Agarwal b Plunkett 21 Karun Nair c S Iyer b Plunkett 34 Yuvraj Singh c Pant b Avesh Khan 14 David Miller c Plunkett b D Christian 26 R Ashwin c R Tewatia b T Boult 6 Andrew Tye b T Boult 3 Baribnder Saran not out 0 Extras: (B-1, LB-8, WD-5) 14 Total (For 8 wickets in 20 overs) 143 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-42, 3-60, 4-85, 5-116, 6-127, 7-140, 8-143. Bowling: Trent Boult 3-0-21-2, Avesh Khan 4-0-36-2, Liam Plunkett 4-0-17-3, Daniel Christian 3-0-17-1, Amit Mishra 4-0-33-0, Glenn Maxwell 1-0-4-0, Rahul Tewatia 1-0-6-0.
Amit Shah attends ritual at Ahmedabad temple
BJP president Amit Shah today attended a ritual at a newly-constructed temple in Sola area of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Shah, along with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and other local BJP leaders, attended the "pran pratishtha" (idol installation) ceremony at the Mahakali temple, state BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said. "The BJP chief, who landed in the city this afternoon, is expected to leave tomorrow morning," he added.
Rahul Gandhi questions Modi on 'spirituality in cleaning toilets'
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on associating spirituality with cleaning of toilets and also took a jibe at him on frying of 'pakodas'.
VHP chief visits Ayodhya, says Ram temple will be reality soon
Newly elected Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje on Monday visited the make-shift temple of 'Ram Lalla' here in Uttar Pradesh and said that the dream of billions for a grand Ram temple here will soon be a reality.