Page 185 - Religion Belief
Arunachal government to promote and preserve indigenous scripts
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday promised his government's support and cooperation in promoting and preserving already existing indigenous scripts and those being developed for teaching in the state's schools.
Vatican communications chief quits over 'lettergate' row
The Vatican's communications chief resigned today amid a controversy over the alleged manipulation of a letter written by retired pope Benedict XVI about his successor Pope Francis. Monsignor Dario Vigano -- who has carried out sweeping reforms of the Vatican's media operations -- stepped down over the row that has become known as "lettergate". The 55-year-old was accused of manipulating a private letter by Benedict XVI to help publicise part of the celebrations marking Francis' five years as pope. At a presentation on March 12 of a collection of books on Francis' theology, Vigano read a letter from Benedict XVI praising the "deep philosophical and theological training" of his successor. While Benedict XVI's tenure as pope was perceived to be more doctrine-focussed, Francis' more pastoral approach has riled some of the more conservative factions within the Catholic Church. Nevertheless, in his letter, Benedict hit out at what he saw as the "foolish prejudice" of those who suggested ...
Vatican press chief resigns over doctored letter
The head of the Vatican's Communications Department resigned on Wednesday after coming under fire for doctoring a letter sent by retired Pope Benedict XVI.
Rahul visits Sringeri math, meets Shankaracharya
Clad in traditional attire, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today visited the iconic Sringeri Sharada Peetham, one of the four seats established by Adi Shankaracharya in eighth century AD. Sporting white colour silk dhoti and wrapped in 'Angavastram' (traditional cloth wrapped around a man's shoulders) with golden border, Gandhi, accompanied by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, paid obeisance to the presiding deity of the Peetham, Goddess Sharadamba. Walking barefoot around the temple, Gandhi, who was given a traditional welcome, called on the 36th pontiff of the Peetham, Sri Bharati Teertham Mahaswamiji and sought his blessings. The Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, located amidst the Sahyadri hills in Chikkamagaluru district, was the first seat established by Adi Shankaracharya, founder of the Advaita philosophy. Four mathas were set up by Adi Shankaracharya in north (Jyothirmath), south (Sringeri), east (Puri) and west (Dwaraka) to propagate the philosophy of ...
Vatican communications chief quits amid Benedict letter row
The Vatican's communications chief resigned today amid controversy over the release of a letter by retired pope Benedict XVI about Pope Francis. "After carefully reflecting and thinking over the reasons for your request... I respect your decision and I accept with some difficulty your resignation," the pope wrote to Monsignor Dario Vigano in a letter made public by the Vatican.
Christian body celebrates 25 years in Delhi
Celebrating the life of peace, unity and renewing their faith, an ecumenical movement organization, Tangkhul Christian Fellowship Delhi (TCFD) marked the 25th years of Silver Jubilee celebration at the St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School recently here.Since its inception in 1993, the fellowship has overcome several hurdles while executing the ideology of ecumenism among the community.TCFD strives to develop closer relationships and better understanding between several Christian denominations while establishing home away from home.Events and festivals of the north-eastern region often bring them together to enrich their growth together socially and spiritually, hence standing out with their culture in the hub of multi-cultural society like Delhi."The objective of this fellowship is to have a common platform for the Tangkhul Christians living in and around Delhi and NCR. Also, it aims to show respect for one another, to have more tolerant society among the community in Delhi and we ...
Coffee Day Enterprises,VG Siddhartha ink pact on voting rights for Mindtree shares
Coffee Day Enterprises has said that its promoter VG Siddhartha will vote "alongside and in tandem" with the company with regard to their shareholding in mid-sized IT company, Mindtree. Coffee Day Enterprises runs the popular coffee chain, Cafe Coffee Day. Earlier this month, Siddhartha had resigned as a director of Mindtree citing pre-occupation with immediate business priorities for the Coffee Day group. "The company has entered into an agreement for exercising of voting rights with VG Siddhartha on March 19, 2018, wherein VG Siddhartha has agreed that with respect to 54,69,750 (3.34 per cent) shares of Mindtree owned by him, he shall vote alongside and in tandem with Coffee Day Enterprises," Coffee Day Enterprises said in a regulatory filing. The filing added that the title and ownership of the 54,69,750 shares of Mindtree will continue to belong exclusively to Siddhartha. "It is clarified that no shares of Mindtree or voting rights with respect to 54,69,750 (3.34 per cent) of ...
Rama Navami: communal harmony on display in Gaya
In an exemplar of communal harmony and brotherhood, Muslim men for the past 50 years in Bihar's Gaya district have been sewing flags of lord Hanuman on the occasion of Rama Navami.Every year, these men eagerly wait for Rama Navami because their income increases during the festival.Mohammed Salim, who is involved in this trade, said, "On the occasion of Rama Navami we sew flags every year, including Lord Hanuman's flag. We have been working for the past 50 years."Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in order to honour the birth of Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Lord Rama. This day marks the end of nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations, which is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra that falls at the cusp of spring and summer.
President Kovind, PM Modi wish on Navroz
Navroz, or Nowruz, marks the Persian and Iranian New Year.Celebrated every year of March 21, the day is dedicated to the beginning of the spring and renewal of the nature, and is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the calendar followed by the Zoroastrians.On the occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, "Navroz Mubarak to everybody, especially to our small, much-loved and overachieving Parsi community. May the coming year be happy and fulfilling."Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished the Parsi community on Navroz, earlier today.He tweeted, "Navroz Mubarak to the Parsi community! May the coming year further the spirit of happiness and harmony. I pray that everyone's dreams and aspirations are fulfilled."Though a day of global observance, it is predominantly celebrated in the Western and Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans. It is a declared public holiday in many nations including Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Iraq.Also, Iran offers a 14-day-long ...
Baba Ramdev attends yoga camp in Haridwar
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday performed yoga at a camp in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district.The camp was attended by scores of monks and students.Meanwhile, on Ram Navmi (March 25), the yoga guru will give 'deeksha' -- preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony - to 85 religious scholars, including Yogis.According to the statement, the yoga guru will give a mantra and initiate them to meditate, fast, and live their life with discipline.A village for these 85 sages is also under development so that they can spend their lives and dedicate themselves towards spirituality, the statement said.
New SSP Vaibhav Krishna takes charge of Ghaziabad district
Vaibhav Krishna, a 2010-batch IPS officer, took charge as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the district here this evening. Soon after taking charge, he told the media that crime control and establishing the rule of law would be his top priorities. No stone would be left unturned to ensure women's safety in the district, the new SSP said. Stating that the government had launched a helpline number, 1090, called "power angel", he said an awareness drive regarding it would soon be initiated in the district. Appropriate action would be initiated to check cyber crimes and the cyber cell of the police would be upgraded, Krishna said. Registration of petty crimes would also be ensured at every police station, he added. Traffic snarls, the main problem of the district, would be resolved with the help of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) and the Nagar Nigam, Krishna said. The March 18 robbery in Sahibabad, in which 10 kgs of gold were looted by car-borne robbers from a ...
Will take decision on Lingayats after receiving proposal: MHA Sources
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday said that decision on the issue of granting separate religion status to the Lingayats community will only be taken once the proposal is presented before them.The MHA sources said that only six primary religions are recognised in the country, rest falls under the category of others.Meanwhile, Minister of State (MoS) for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the issue of Lingayat has been raised to fulfill "political goals and divide Hindus".Talking to the media, Meghwal accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of reversing the decision of former prime minister Manmohan Singh's government on the same."Karnataka Chief Minister wants to reverse the decision of Manmohan Singh Government on Lingayat community. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka president BS Yeddyurappa comes from Lingayat community, Congress is doing so to prevent him from becoming the chief minister by dividing society for votes. Weaker sections will be
Karnataka minister opposes religious minority tag to 'Basava' Lingayats
A senior Karnataka Minister on Tuesday termed the state cabinet's decision to grant religious minority tag to only Lingayat and Veerashaiva followers of 12th century social reformer Basava as an injustice to the entire community.
Mindtree, Coffee Day's Siddhartha sign pact on voting rights
Mindtree today said it has entered into a pact with VG Siddhartha, the founder of Coffee Day Group, to vote "alongside and in tandem with Coffee Day Enterprises" with regard to his shareholding in the mid-sized IT company. Earlier this month, Siddhartha had resigned as a director of Mindtree citing pre-occupation with immediate business priorities for the Coffee Day group. "Mindtree has entered into an agreement for exercising of voting rights with VG Siddhartha on March 19, 2018, wherein VG Siddhartha has agreed that with respect to 54,69,750 (3.34 per cent) shares of Mindtree owned by him, he shall vote alongside and in tandem with Coffee Day Enterprises," the IT firm said in a BSE filing today. The filing added that the title and ownership of the 54,69,750 shares of Mindtree will continue to belong exclusively to Siddhartha. "It is clarified that no shares of Mindtree or voting rights with respect to 54,69,750 (3.34 per cent) of Mindtree have been transferred by VG Siddhartha," the
Lingayat religion tag; Former SC judge Hegde slams Karna govt
Former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde today slammed the Siddaramaiah government's decision to recommend to the Centre, grant of religious minority tag to Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community, saying government has no business to recognise any community as a religion. In a scathing write-up,which has gone viral in the social media, Hegde, a former Karnataka Lokayukta, sought to know from Siddaramaiah "when he would divide himself as Sidda and Ramaiah." "Sir, I am not a politician. I am not interested in who will win the next elections, but sir where will politics stop dividing us ordinary people?," he said in a poser to the Chief Minister. Hegde also queried if Siddaramaiah would recognise either Digambar or Shwetambar as backwards, Shias or Sunnis as separate religions for recognition as backward, or Protestants or Roman Catholics as separate religions for offering backward status. "Or which of left or right SC's as more backwards. Or which of Bunts or Nadavas
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar objects to AIMPLB charges against him
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has dismissed as "baseless" the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's allegation that he was "inciting terrorists and anti-social elements." "I was shocked and saddened to note that the board thinks I am inciting terrorists and anti-social elements. I strongly object to this baseless accusation," said the spiritual guru in a letter to AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani on March 12. "You are aware that people currently resort to crime at the drop of a hat, not just in India but all over the world. I have always strongly condemned any kind of violence irrespective of its nature or location, said the Art of Living founder in his letter. "For 61 years of my life, I have never by word, thought or action wished ill or hurt anybody and for 41 years of my public life, I have always worked for amity, peace and spiritual uplift," he added. Ravi Shankar's wrote to Maulana Wali Rehmani following his recent statement that "Sri Sri's comment that after
Pope appoints new Archbishop of Bangalore
Vatican City, March 19 (IANS/AKI) Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Peter Machado as Archbishop of Bangalore and Archbishop Piero Pioppo as Apostolic Nuncio to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Vatican said on Monday.
RSS believes in non-violence and truth: Bhagwat
The RSS believes in Hindutva which has truth and non-violence as its core values about which Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar and Vivekananda had spoken, its chief Mohan Bhagwat has said. However, if required, one should fight to protect the core values of Hindutva, he said. We consider Hindutva as only one It is the set of values which we believe in. It is the same one about which Vivekananda, Subhas Chandra Bose, Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur, Babasaheb Ambedkar have spoken, he said in an interview to weekly magazine Organiser. Replying to a question about portraying Hindu religion in two different narratives--one as Hinduism and the other as Hindutva--Bhagwat said RSS considers Hindutva as the one and only narrative. While underlining that the RSS believes in truth and non-violence being the core values of Hindutva, Bhagwat, however, said, "If somebody is attacking or indirectly killing the truth and non-violence we believe in, then to protect those values we will have to fight. To fight
Granting separate religion status to Lingayats 'politically decision': Veerashaivas
The Veerashaiva Lingayat Samanvaya Samiti on Monday opposed Karnataka government's decision of granting a separate religion status for the Lingayats community and termed it a politically motivated decision.Ahead of the state assembly elections, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka Government earlier today accepted the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee to form a separate religion status for the Lingayats community.Speaking to ANI, the president of Veerashaiva Lingayat Samanvaya Samiti, Chandrashekhar Hiremath said, "We had initially opposed the entire constitution of committee headed by Nagmohan. None is expert concerned to our religion nor they have knowledge of the different religion and customs in Karnataka. We strongly oppose it."Hiremath further dubbed the decision of the state government as a 'political move'."The decision of the state cabinet to recommend to the Centre to treat Lingayat as a separate religion is a purely politically motivated decision. I strongly ..
Katrina Kaif named ambassador of Educate Girls
Actress Katrina Kaif has joined the international award-winning non-profit organisation, Educate Girls as their ambassador, a statement said.