Page 212 - Religion Belief
Pithy philosophical prescriptions and prognoses -- a selection (Column: Bookends)
It is a paradox of philosophy that despite its task of giving insights into vital facets of the human condition like knowledge, perception, and ethics and seeking to solve humanity's conundrums, it should prove so difficult to fathom. Part of the blame lies with some of its practitioners who never use one word where they can put 10, often coin new words and generally make themselves obscure.
Cong lashes out at SAD on political meets during Jor Melas
Punjab Congress chief and Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar today accused the SAD of misusing the 'panth' (community) to "score political gains" by organising conferences in religious congregations. The comment came after the SAD announced that it would hold political conferences in Jor Melas, religious congregations in Punjab, despite the Akal Takht's call not to hold any such meetings. He said that the Congress had in-principle followed the directions of the Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, to avoid holding political conferences during the melas. The party believes in allowing devotees concentrate on paying reverence at holy places. The decision to not organise a conference at Muktsar's Maghi Mela was a part of the revised policy adopted after the Takht's directions, Jakhar said. "We are against vitiating the spiritual environment at holy places," he said in release here, adding that the SAD had got no moral right to cry hoarse against others during the political ...
Two Indian nationals arrested for printing counterfeit notes
Two Indian nationals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in printing counterfeit Nepalese rupee notes, police said. Acting on a tip-off, a special team of police caught Balbir Singh, 22, and Krishna Singh, 20, on Thursday from Bhimdutta Municipality of Far-Western region when they were printing counterfeit Nepalese rupee notes of denomination of Rs 1,000, police said. Various chemicals and equipment used for printing fake bank notes were seized from their possession, the police said. Balbir and Krishna were earlier printing fake Nepalese currency from India, police said, adding that further investigation in the matter is going on.
China demolishes Christian megachurch
Authorities in northern China have demolished a Christian megachurch in a move denounced by a religious rights group as "Taliban-style persecution". China's officially atheist Communist authorities are wary of any organised movements outside their control, including religious ones. The huge evangelical Jindengtai ("Golden Lampstand") Church, painted grey and surmounted by turrets and a large red cross, was located in Linfen, Shanxi province. Its demolition began on Tuesday under "a city-wide campaign to remove illegal buildings", the Global Times newspaper reported, quoting a local government official who wished to remain anonymous. "A Christian offered his farmland to a local Christian association and they secretly built a church using the cover of building a warehouse," the official said. The local housing department had stopped construction of the church in 2009 when it was almost complete, he added. Several members of the Christian group were then jailed, according to
India contributes $50K to UN Youth Envoy's office
India has contributed $50,000 to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's Office of Envoy on Youth to help with its mission of involving young people in the world body's goals.
Police in Chile probe series of church attacks ahead of Pope's visit
Chilean authorities are investigating a series of attacks and threatening incidents at churches in the Santiago metro area ahead of Pope Francis' three-day visit.
Dharmendra Pradhan joins Jain Guru on 'Ahinsa Yatra'
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday joined the 'Ahinsa Yatra' (peace walks) with Jain Muni Acharya Mahashraman in his Padyatra.Muni Acharya Mahashraman, along with his disciples and followers, has crossed about 45000 km during his padyatra.He has already visited three countries, where Odisha is the 19th state.Padyatra or a journey on foot with a purpose is an ancient Jain tradition. According to the religious preaching, the main aim of a Muni's lifelong vow is to keep walking till the end of their life, carrying the message of peace and nonviolence far and wide and inspire the masses to live a good life.
Kiran Bedi extends Pongal greetings to people
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi today extended her greetings to people on the occasion of the harvest festival of 'Pongal'. "Pongal is being celebrated during the Tamil month of 'Thai' (commencing on January 14) to mark the harvest season and to pay special thanks to the Sun God, the Nature, and the cattle," said Bedi. She said the festival reflects India's tradition of conveying gratitude to nature for all its blessings. The former IPS officer extended her wishes to all the Tamilians all over the world and to the people of Puducherry on the occasion of celebration of the festival. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Speaker V Vaithilingam, ministers and leaders of different political parties also greeted the people of Puducherry on the occasion of Pongal.
Over 600 protesters arrested in Tunisia
At least 600 protesters were arrested in different parts of Tunisia during clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers, that broke out since late Monday.A source from Tunisia's Ministry of Interior confirmed the official figure on Thursday evening.The Xinhua reported that in Siliana province, protesters tried to break into a local court before clashing with the law officers. In Kasserine province, protesters vandalised and burnt buildings and cars, along with clashes. However, the security forces managed to control down the violence.In the island of Djerba, known as home to the Jewish Ghriba Synagogue, a Jewish school was attacked by protesters wearing hoods.Tunisia has been under a state of emergency since the Arab spring protests in 2011. The protests also saw the fall of former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as well.Protests have been ongoing since Monday, against the high cost of living, the deterioration of purchasing power, as well as certain austerity ...
Uniting every section of society is nationalism: Vice President
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that uniting every individual irrespective of caste, creed and religion is nationalism.
Impatience also enables youth to think out of box: PM
Youths impatience perhaps also ignites the young minds and make them think out of the box and do new things, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, which is marked as the National Youth Day.
U'khand HC grants protection against arrest to Bishop of Agra
The Uttarakhand High Court today granted protection against arrest to the Bishop of Agra in a property dispute case. Granting protection to the Bishop, the single bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia ordered that no coercive steps should be taken by police to arrest the bishop. The Bishop of Agra, Prem Prakash Habil, had approached the Uttarakhand High Court to seek protection from police arrest. An FIR was filed at Haldwani by one Vijay Kumar Robinson, a Parish Priest, alleging that six persons claiming to be the secretary and directors of Lucknow Diocesan Trust Association (LDTA) were fraudulently trying to usurp the properties of All Saint's College and Sherwood College at Nainital. Vipul Sharma, Advocate for the Bishop explained, "Bishop of diocese of Agra is chairman of governing council of the educational institutes and other properties of Diocese of Agra." Diocese of Agra under the Church of North India has various educational societies which run prestigious schools
Shia board chief gets legal notice for 'defamatory' remarks
A legal notice was served on Shia Central Waqf Board chairman Wasim Rizvi by the Jamiat Ulama- I-Hind, citing certain 'defamatory' remarks made by him about madrasas. The notice follows Rizvi's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on January 9 in which he claimed that madrasas bred terrorists and demanded that the Islamic institutions should be shut. The notice accused Rizvi of "insinuating" that madrasa education systems has not contributed to the progress of young Muslims, but has in fact created a sense of fundamentalism in them without any data to indicate. It sought for a written and unconditional apology from Rizvi and a payment of Rs 20 crore towards damages. The Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind is one of the leading Islamic foundations in the country. The remarks were also criticised by Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who has said that madrasas contribute to the growth of the country.
Chinese bishop freed after seven months in captivity
A Chinese bishop who was removed from his diocese and held by authorities in detention for seven months has been freed, the Vatican said today. Last June the Holy See had expressed "grave concern" for Peter Shao Zhumin, saying he was being held in an unknown location and had been missing for some time. His friends said they feared the authorities were trying to force him to switch from the underground church recognised by the Vatican to the state-run Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA). The bishop was released on January 3, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said. According to the specialist religious website Asianews.it, Shao had been detained on May 18 after being "invited" to attend an interview with officials of the local Religious Affairs Bureau. His disappearance sparked a public spat between the Vatican and China, complicating discussions aimed at improving relations long strained by differences over who has the authority to appoint bishops in the ...
Syro-Malabar Catholic Church appoints bishops in Idukki, MP's
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church today appointed bishops to dioceses of Idukki in Kerala and Sagar in Madhya Pradesh. The bishops were elected at the Syro-Malabar Synod held here. John Nellikunnel, till now secretary of the corporate education agency of the Eparchy of Idukki, was canonically elected to the office of bishop of the Eparchy of Idukki, the church said here. Pope Francis, receiving the request of the synod of the Syro-Malabar Church, has appointed James Athikalam as the new bishop of the Eparchy of Sagar, it said. He was the director of the Nirmal Jyoti Mental Health Programme in Bhopal.
Board of Sri Krishna Constructions (India) approves change in trading platform
At meeting held on 12 January 2018
Assam guv greets people on Bhogali Bihu
Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi today greeted the people of Assam on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. "Bihu symbolizes the spirit of integrity, brotherhood and camaraderie amongst all irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or language. "It is a festival of community feasting and symbolises love and mutual respect", the Governor said in a message here. The spontaneous celebrations of the Bhogali Bihu by people transcending all social barriers symbolize the spirit of unity amidst diversity, he added. "On the happy occasion of Bhogali Bihu, I appeal to the people of Assam to strengthen their bond of unity and bonhomie by spreading the message of love and mutual reverence and harmonious co-existence throughout the state," he added.
India is world's young country: Yogi Adityanath
India is the world's young country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.He was addressing 22nd National Youth Festival on the grounds of the Gautam Budh University. The festival was organised on the occasion of Swami Vivekanand Jayanti."There is no field where Indian youth have not shown their mettle. Youth from all over India, who are symbol of country's energy, have come to attend the mahotsav. No one can stop this energy to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Sankalp sey Siddhi," Adityanath said.He also said that the huge participation of girls in the festival is an example of women empowerment in India."It is good to see girls' attendance in the mahotsav is more than 50 percent. This is an emerging image of India. Women empowerment inspires us," the chief minister said.Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma
Modi, Rahul pay tributes to Vivekananda on birth anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi were among the leaders who today paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, which is also celebrated as National Youth Day. "I bow to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. Today, on National Youth Day I salute the indomitable energy and enthusiasm of our youngsters, who are the builders of New India," Modi said on Twitter. Gandhi invoked Vivekananda to say that it was duty of all to encourage everyone in their struggle to live up to their own highest idea and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to truth. "My tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. #NationalYouthDay," he said on the micro-blogging site. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said he bowed before the "youth force" of the country as he tweeted a picture of Vivekananda. Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also invoked Vivekananda's message of "arise, awake and stop not till the goal is ..
Chouhan urges youth to do surya namaskar for healthy living
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday exhorted youth to perform Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) daily and said it was one of the best ways to keep fit.Participating in a mass yoga session here on National Youth Day (Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary), he said, "Health should be our priority. To keep ourselves healthy, it is necessary to exercise. Surya Namaskar is one of the best ways to keep fit and in this regard the state government has decided to organise mass Surya Namaskar sessions every year on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary."He also said one needed to be healthy to achieve something big in life.At the event, he also urged the youth to follow the teachings of Vivekananda."I have been reading Swami Vivekananda's teachings since childhood and what I am today is because of his teaching. Reading his thoughts fill my life with plethora of joy," the chief minister said.The country is observing the 155th birth anniversary of Swami ...