Page 213 - Religion Belief
Youth should be encouraged to become 'innovators': PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that his government wants to encourage the country's youth as 'innovators' and make them 'job creators.'Addressing the 22nd National Youth Festival via video conference, the Prime Minister said, "We were born after 1947, thus, we did not have the honour to take part in the freedom struggle. But, we have the opportunity to fulfill the dreams of the great men and women who helped us attain freedom from the British rule. We have to create India that our freedom fighters dreamt of. We want to make our youth job creators. They should be encouraged to become the ones who innovate."He added that during his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat' in December, he had called for organising mock parliaments in all the districts."Such mock parliaments will further the spirit of discussion among our youth," he stated.Coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the five-day youth festival commences today at Gautam Buddha University in ...
"Mr. Ambassador, can you mention an example of a Dutch politician who was burned in recent years?"
The newly appointed United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, Pete Hoekstra, clashed with the Dutch reporters after he was questioned on the controversial remark made by him on the "Islamic movement" in 2015.Hoekstra had claimed that the "Islamic movement" was creating chaos in Europe and that the extremists were burning politicians and cars in the Netherlands.The US Ambassador confronted with the reporters at his residence soon after resenting his credentials to Dutch King Willem-Alexander at a palace in The Hague, where the Dutch reporters questioned him on his statement and said, "This is the Netherlands, you have to answer questions," reported the Guardian.After repeatedly being questioned on the same, Hoekstra termed the remark, which made headlines in 2015, as "fake news".But the US Ambassador's reply did not satisfy the Dutch reporters who further went on asking if the ambassador could name a politician who had been set on fire in recent years.Though in 2016, Hoekstra had ...
All religions lead to path of truth, says Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday stressed the need to understand different religions and their different traditions, as they all are one and the same, leading to the path of truth.
We are again into tit for tat: Former CJI J S Khehar
Former Chief Justice of India J S Khehar today favoured a peaceful resolution of the Ayodhya dispute while stressing that India had opted for the path of "absolute secularism" after independence. Recalling that Hindus and Muslims had both suffered the "greatest violence" during the Partition, he stressed that post independence, when Pakistan became an Islamic state, India chose to become secular. "The greatest violence came when India became independent. (It saw) a brutality that generations cannot forget. But something wonderful happened in India. When Pakistan became an Islamic state, India chose to become secular," he said while delivering the Lal Bahadur Shastri lecture here. India's leaders had ensured that there should be "absolute secularism" in the country, he said. "We have forgotten that. We are again into tit for tat," the former CJI said. Justice Khehar touched on a variety of issues -- ranging from religion and secularism to demonetisation and corruption --
Current communal narrative not in India's interests: Ex-CJI
In an apparent indictment of the Hindutva politics, former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar on Thursday said such politics will be counterproductive for India's aspiration to become a global power.
Indian culture teaches peace: Naidu
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said the Indian heritage and culture are very rich and teach the world about peace.
IIT-K starts text, audio service related to Hindu scriptures
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, credited with developing many technological wonders including the world's smallest satellite, has now started a text and audio service related to Hindu scriptures, an official said. The move, which could prove to be controversial, is the first by an IIT and has led to a sudden spurt in the online readership of its decade-old dormant website. IIT Director Mahendra Aggarwal rejected criticism that the step was an attempt to promote Hindu religion. Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Ramcharitmanas, Brahma Sutra, Yoga Sutra, Shri Ram Mangal Das and Narada Bhakti are among the nine sacred texts uploaded on the IIT portal - www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in. The IIT's official portal is also offering Sanskrit renditions of the Sundarkand and Balakkand of the 'Valmiki Ramayan'. Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Ram Charit Manas, Valmiki Ramayan, Brahma Sutra, Yog Sutra, Vedanta concept map, Narada Bhakti Sutra concept map anything and ...
3 Nepalese held for propagating Christianity in UP
Three Nepali nationals were arrested here for allegedly propagating Christianity, the police said today. Indra Bahadur Tamad and Mek Bahadur, residents of Sindhupal Chowk, and Shukra Rai of Makwanpur in Nepal had arrived in the district three days ago and were residing in Town Hall locality. They were arrested yesterday after locals complained that they were propagating Christianity and distributing some literature in Osman Bagh area, Police Circle Officer Sunil Shukla said today. The locals alleged that when they objected to such activities, the Nepalese got into an argument on religion and passed comments on the Hindu Gods, Shukla said.
HC dismisses PIL for withdrawal of coins with religious images
The Delhi High Court today dismissed a plea seeking withdrawal of coins having religious symbols embossed on them, saying it does not dent the secular fabric of the country. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar rejected the PIL filed by two Delhi residents who had sought a direction to the RBI and the Finance Ministry to withdraw the coins brought out in 2010 and 2013 with images of Brihadeeswara Temple and Mata Vaishno Devi, respectively. "It does not dent the country's secular fabric and secularism does not bar issuance of coins to commemorate any event," the bench said. The bench observed that the petitioners were not able to support their argument that the act of issuing coins with religious figures was impacting religious practices. "The decision to issue coin to commemorate an occasion is purely in the domain of the government under the Coinage Act, 2011," the court said, adding there was no act of favouritism or discrimination by .
Chinese authorities demolish well-known evangelical church
Authorities in northern China's coal country have demolished a Christian mega-church that clashed with the government. The action underscores long-standing tensions between religious groups and the officially atheistic Communist Party that strives for complete political and social control. Witnesses and overseas activists say paramilitary People's Armed Police forces used excavators and dynamite on Tuesday to destroy the Golden Lampstand Church in the city of Linfen. Hundreds of police and hired thugs smashed the church and seized Bibles in an earlier crackdown in 2009. There are an estimated 60 million Christians in China, many of whom worship in independent congregations like the Golden Lampstand. The surging popularity of non-state-approved churches has raised the ire of local authorities. An official at the local religious affairs bureau denied the demolition took place.
'Missionary Day' celebrated in Mizoram
'Missionary Day', anniversary of the arrival of two Welsh Christian missionaries was today observed and celebrated across the Christian-dominated north eastern state of Mizoram. Government offices and educational institutions remained close for the day as the state government declared the day as a public holiday. The local churches of the Baptist Church of Mizoram held prayer and worship services and also organised community feasts. Rev J H Lorrain and Rev F W Savidge, fondly called by the Mizos as Pu Buanga and Sapupa respectively, arrived in the then Lushai country (Mizoram) by boat from Assam on January 11, 1894 and spread Christianity. The Welsh missionaries were responsible for the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in northern part of Mizoram and the Baptist Church in the southern part of the state.
Venkaiah Naidu offers worship at Tirumala Hill temple
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala near here at the crack of dawn today. Naidu arrived here by an Indian Air Force aircraft last evening and stayed at a heavily-guarded Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) guest house on the hills. His family members too came here separately from Nellore and accompanied the vice president to the shrine on the hills. On his maiden visit after assuming office as vice president on August 11 last year, Naidu was accorded a warm welcome with full temple honours and conducted to the sanctum sanctorum by priests amid Vedic hymns, temple sources told PTI. He was in the shrine for about half an hour, they said. After offering prayers at the Sri Ranganayaka Mandapam inside the temple, Naidu was honoured with sacred silk cloth and holy prasadams while a group of priests bestowed divine blessings upon the him. Later, speaking to reporters outside the temple, he said all countries
Religion is personal, not a tool to mobilise: Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said that religion is a "personal business" and should not be used to "mobilise" people on religious lines. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of inauguration of National Teachers Congress, organised by MAEERs MIT World Peace University and MIT School of Government here. Replying to a question on what message he wants to give in the wake of violence at Koregaon Bhima in Pune district on January 1, the spiritual leader said, "Religion is a personal business. Whether you follow this religion or that religion, it is personal matter. We should not mobilise...as we Buddhist, we Hindus, we Muslims. That is not good." Dalits visiting a war memorial at Koregaon Bhima were attacked here on January 1 that led to a state-wide shutdown in Maharashtra two days later. In his speech at the conference, the Dalai Lama hailed the Indian society for accommodating diverse religious faiths. "The largest democracy in the world, India is
SC seeks Centre's response on 'shlokas' in morning prayers in KVs
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Centre's response on a plea that sought discontinuation of mandatory morning prayers at Kendriya Vidyalayas that begin and end with Sanskrit 'shlokas' and Hindi prayers based on Hindu religion.
Venkaiah Naidu to offer prayers at Balaji temple
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today arrived at nearby Tirumala to offer prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara. This is Naidu's first visit to the ancient temple after assuming office as Vice President on August 11 last year. Naidu had earlier visited the shrine on August 7 as the Vice President-elect. Earlier, he arrived at Sri Venkateswara International Airport at Renigunta, 16 km from here, by an IAF flight. An ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara, Naidu would offer prayers at the shrine at the crack of dawn tomorrow, a temple official said.
Dalai Lama condemns Bhima-Koregaon violence
The Dalai Lama on Wednesday condemned Pune's Bhima-Koregaon violence saying that people should not mobilise against any religion.Speaking to the media here, he said, "Religion is a personal business and matter. We should not mobilise like we are Hindus, we are Muslims. This is not right. What is the value of anger? Anger is not good for health. More compassionate mind is good for health."On January 1, a youth was killed in a clash between two groups during an event to mark 200 years of the Bhima-Koregaon battle that took place near Pune.The spiritual leader further called upon the Indians to revive the ancient Indian knowledge."India has a great potential. A combination of modernity and ancient Indian knowledge, that is what the world really needs. All my explanations come from India. Indians should pay more attention to this knowledge and rigorously should revive these things," he added.Earlier also, the monk had said that India was 'neglecting' the ancient knowledge and heading ...
Darul Uloom Deoband asked to obtain permission for use of
The Saharanpur district administration has asked Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband to obtain permission for the use of loudspeakers in its compound by January 15, an official said. A notice has been issued to the seminary after the Uttar Pradesh government banned the use of loudspeakers at temples, mosques and other public places without permission. The state government move came after the Allahabad High Court asked it to ensure proper implementation of noise pollution control rules. The district administration has told the seminary that if it fails to obtain permission by the scheduled date, the equipment would be removed, the official said. Loudspeakers are used in three mosques at the seminary. Saharanpur Deputy Superintendent of Police Siddhartha said that similar notices have been sent to all religious organisations. Darul Uloom Deoband said it was trying to obtain permission from the authorities concerned.
Sikh Committee slams ban on Indian officials' entry in Canadian, American Gurudwaras
After reports of Canada and America barring Indian officials' entry in Gurdwaras, emerged, the vice president of Delhi's Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Harmeet Kalka, called for a dialogue to resolve the matter."This is absolutely wrong. Their thoughts and opinions are wrong when it comes to religion because in our religion, nobody is stopped to visit to the Gurudwara. If you have noticed, there are many doors in the Gurudwaras which indicate that people of every religion are welcomed there. This thing will be solved only through a dialogue. From our side, everybody is welcomed to Gurudwara," she told ANI.Last week, 14 Gurudwaras were reportedly closed down for the Indian officials in Canada's Ontario province and 16 more were reported to bar officials' entry to the place of worship.The American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) claimed that at least 96 Gurudwaras, located across the US have passed a resolution, banning the entry of officials in the Gurudwaras.However, ...
Mapping the mindset and reasoning of jihadis (Book Review)
Title: Salafi-Jihadism: The History of an Idea; Author: Shiraz Maher; Publisher: Penguin Random House UK: Pages: 292; Price: Rs 499
Sri Krishna Constructions (India) to hold board meeting
On 12 January 2018