Page 7 - Religion Belief

Shut out from Bangladesh schools, Rohingyas turn to madrassas

Half a million refugee Rohingya children are shut out of local schools in Bangladesh, leaving many in religious madrassas where critics say educational standards are low and students are vulnerable to indoctrination. Around 740,000 Muslim Rohingya fled into the country during a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar's military, swelling the numbers of the minority in Bangladesh to around a million. But while their language and culture are similar to people in southeastern Bangladesh, authorities regard the Rohingya as temporary guests and their children are denied access to local schools, raising fears of a "lost generation". Many Rohingya children had managed to slip through the net until earlier this year when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government cracked down, ordering schools to expel them. Lucky Akter, 15, lost her spot at Hnila village school, where almost a third of her class were from refugee camps. She now has nothing to do but help her mother with chores. "I wanted to be a doctor, ...

'Snana Jatra' celebrated in Puri Jagannath temple

The annual ceremonial bathing ritual of the deities at Shree Jagannath temple here was celebrated on Monday in the presence of thousands of devotees, amid tight security. The ceremony known as 'Snana Jatra' of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was performed on a bathing altar known as the 'Snana Mandap' in which priests poured 108 pitchers of aromatic sacred water on the deities. The 'Snana Jatra' -- held on the full moon day of the Hindu month of 'Jyestha', considered to be the birthday of Lord Jagannath -- is a significant ritual in the run-up to the annual 'Rath Jatra' festival. Elaborate arrangements were made for smooth conduct of the annual event, as security was strengthened in and around the shrine. Patrolling by police personnel was stepped up and special steps were taken to regulate vehicular traffic for the event, according to Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Soumendra Priyadarshi. Meanwhile, in West Bengal's Mayapur, the "Snan ...

Hyderabad: Youth has cremated 500 orphan bodies till date

A young Hyderabadi resident, Goutham, has decided to bring a change in the society by cremating orphan dead bodies with full religious rites.Goutham founded a non-governmental organisation (NGO) 'Serve Needy' and has been carrying out the function without expecting anything in return for the last two years."We named the project 'Free Last Rites for Orphan Dead Bodies' and started it 2 years ago. Till date, we have done conducted the last rites for around 500 dead bodies. For this, I have been awarded 'Bharat World Record' and Bharat 'Yuva Seva Ratna Award'. We conduct last rites for the people of all religions giving proper respect to the religion of the person," Goutham told ANI here.Talking about his work he added, "I try to involve people in conducting the last rites, we don't need people as spectators but we need them to bring a change. Through this, I think I'm giving the right platform to the people to show them to what extent we forward the level of humanity."Speaking about the

Love, peace and environment protection were integral part of our culture: HP Governor

Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat Monday said love, peace and environment protection were "integral part of our culture". Speaking at an exhibition on the theme 'Seeds of hope: Visions of sustainability, steps towards change', he said, "Our relationship with nature should be exactly that a parent has with children. We should cooperate in the system of God, and not try to destroy it." "Love, peace and environment protection were integral part of our culture. Our saints have called 'yajna' important and mandatory for serenity..., which we have forgotten nowadays. On the contrary, the culture of enjoyment has caused the maximum damage to the environment in the present perspective," he added. He said the government was working on a scheme to plant 11 lakh saplings in the state in a day. The event, organised by Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), was also attended by former governor of Nagaland and Manipur Ashwani Kumar.

Yogi government to issue press releases in Sanskrit

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh will now issue press releases in Sanskrit too, with the first such document issued on Monday.

Akademi rejects Left Govt's decision to review cartoon award

A state-run akademi Monday rejected the Left government's advice to review its decision to honour a cartoon, depicting Bishop Franco Mullakal as a rooster and alluding to the rape charge against him, saying the jury's decision was final and Akademi would stand by it. The decision was taken unanimously at the executive committee and the general council of the Kerala Lalithakala Akedmi Akademi, which met at its headquarters here. An autonomous cultural organisation of the government,the Akademi also turned down the criticism that the cartoon,titled 'Viswasam Rakshathi' (protection of faith) drawn by K K Subhash of Chengalam, had hurt the sentiments of the Christian community. "We have unanimously decided not to intervene into the decision of the expert jury which had selected the cartoon for the award. Their decision is final and we will not make any change in it," Akademi chairman Nemom Pushaparaj told PTI. "Last time, the award was given to a cartoon criticising Chief ...

'Snana Jatra' celebrated in Puri, devotees throng temple

The annual ceremonial bathing ritual of the deities at Shree Jagannath temple here was celebrated on Monday in the presence of thousands of devotees, amid tight security. The ceremony known as 'Snana Jatra' of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was performed on a bathing altar known as the 'Snana Mandap' in which priests poured 108 pitchers of aromatic sacred water on the deities. The 'Snana Jatra' -- held on the full moon day of the Hindu month of 'Jyestha', considered to be the birthday of Lord Jagannath -- is a significant ritual in the run-up to the annual 'Rath Jatra' festival. Elaborate arrangements were made for smooth conduct of the annual event, as security was strengthened in and around the shrine. Patrolling by police personnel was stepped up and special steps were taken to regulate vehicular traffic for the event, according to Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Soumendra Priyadarshi.

Japanese Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu visits Golden Temple

Japanese Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu, visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday.He was accompanied by his wife Patricia Clara Aguado Hiramatsu."I wanted to come here from a long time ago, and pay my respects to the Sikh community of India," the Japanese envoy told media here and added that he was enthralled by the beauty of the Golden temple.Ambassador Hiramatsu and his wife, who was dressed in a traditional white suit, were seen walking along the pond of the holy shrine. Both covered their heads as per the tradition followed by everyone while visiting a gurudwara. The couple also received souvenirs from the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).The Golden Temple is a symbol of brotherhood and unity in the Sikh religion and represents the distinct identity, glory, and heritage of the Sikhs.

Niger church torched after imam arrested

Protesters torched a church overnight in the southern Niger city of Maradi after the arrest of a prominent imam who was subsequently freed Sunday, religious and security sources said. Sheikh Rayadoune, the imam of the Zaria mosque in Maradi, was detained Saturday after criticising a proposed law on religious worship as "anti-Islam" a day earlier. He has appealed to his supporters to end the unrest. The group behind the church attack also burned the pastor's car, a church official said in a WhatsApp message to parishioners that was copied to AFP. A local security source confirmed the incident in Maradi's working-class district of Zaria. Witnesses said that late Saturday youths set up roadblocks and burned tyres in the streets of Niger's third largest city as news of the imam's arrest spread. A police source told AFP that Sheikh Rayadoune had been released Sunday afternoon, adding: "He has acknowledged his mistake and has apologised." Shortly before his release, the imam published a ...

Gutkha worth over Rs 1 lakh seized in Andhra, 53 held

Gutkha worth above Rs 1 lakh was seized in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and 53 people were arrested in this connection on Sunday, police said. SP, Krishna, M Ravindranath Babu said raids were conducted in Machilipatnam, Pedana towns and Kanchekacherla, Gudllavalleru mandals during which huge quantity of Gutkha and 'khainee' (chewing tobacco) packets were seized. He said 53 people were arrested and 35 cases registered in connection with the seizure of the banned items.

'Shiv Sainiks to help in Ram temple construction'

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said here on Sunday that he was confident that a grand Ram temple will be built soon and, if needed, Shiv Sainiks would help in the temple construction.

Jyeshta Abhishekam festival at Tirumala temple, idols adorned with pearls

As the annual Jyeshta Abhishekam festival entered its second day on Saturday, the colossal effigy of Lord Balaji, Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhudevi adorned with pearls, was carried around the sacred streets near the Tirumala temple area.The three-day festival is celebrated every year to protect idols from damage that may have occurred while taking out processions and Tirumanjanam (holy baths) throughout the year.On the second day, "Maha Santi Havan" is performed amidst chanting of Vedic mantras. In the evening, after Sahasra Deepa Alankara Seva (offering of 1000 lamps), the Almighty is decorated with Muthyala kavacham, an armour studded with pearl.On the first day, the idols are adorned with Vajrakavacham (armours studded with diamond), while on the third day, idols are embellished with Svarna kavacham (armours studded with gold).

Andhra, Odisha, Telangana CM to attend a spritual event

Andhra Pradesh newly elected Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao will attend a program organised by Sarada Peetham sheer Swami Swaroopanandendra on Monday.The three-day program is being held at Ganapati Sachidananda's ashram on the banks of river Krishna in Undavalli village, Guntur district.Swaroopanandendra, the spiritual guru of Reddy, has named Kiran Kumar Sarma as his successor to Sarada Peetham in Visakhapatnam.Karan who is as of now as 'Bala Swami' will be made a full-fledged sanyasi on June 17.Hundreds of devotees thronged the ashram on the first-day of the event. Andhra Pradesh Endowments minister V Srinivas, DGP Gotam Sawang and Vijayawada Police Commissioner Dwaraka Tirumala Rao also attended the event.

Life, Philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev discussed

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Saturday organized a seminar on the "Life And Philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji" here to spread the message of peace, service, harmony and humanity. Attended by the members of all faiths, the event was held prior to the nationwide celebration of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Roop Singh, Chief Secretary, SGPC, Amritsar Sahib, said "With long ties of cultural and business exchanges, Kolkata has held a very special place in heart of the Sikh Community. There is a thriving Sikh community here. Kolkata was also the venue for release of the Bengali translation of the Holy Granth Sahib." The organisers hoped the event will spread the Guru's message of peace, service, harmony and humanity. "June 15 is a very significant date for our community. The foundation stone of Sri Akal Takht was laid by Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib ji on this day in 1606," said Sardar Taranjit ...

Visiting Ayodhya a matter of faith, not politics: KP Maurya

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday said visiting Ayodhya is not a political matter but one related to faith."All who wish to visit pilgrimage sites are welcome, it's not a political matter but matter of faith. We have full faith, as per hopes of devotees and saints, Ram temple will be constructed soon," Maurya said in a presser when asked if Shiv Sena is trying to snatch Ram temple issue from BJP.The BJP leader's response came a day before Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with his party MPs, is scheduled to visit Ayodhya."Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Saheb Thackeray will offer obeisance to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on June 16. The MPs of Shiv Sena too will be accompanying him for darshan of Lord Shri Ram," read a tweet by Shiv Sena Communications earlier this month.Thackeray had last visited Ayodhya in November 2018, wherein he urged the central government to announce a date for the construction of Ram temple. He had also promised full support if an ...

Law on Ram temple if all options fail: UP Dy CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya has said that if the two options for a solution to the Ayodhya dispute fail, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bring in a legislation for the construction of Ram temple.

UAE urges world powers to protect shipping, energy supplies

The United Arab Emirates urged world powers Saturday to help secure maritime traffic and energy supplies, following twin attacks on tankers in a vital Gulf shipping channel. "The international community must cooperate to secure international navigation and access to energy," the UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said at a summit in Bulgaria.

WB: Bomb hurled at TMC workers' house, 2 dead

Two TMC workers, named Khairuddin Sheikh and Sohel Rana died after a bomb was hurled at their residence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.Khairuddin (55) and Sohel (19) are from the same family."We were sleeping. Suddenly our house was bombed. They shot my father. Few days back my uncle was also killed. Congress is behind this," said Khairuddin's son Milan Sheikh.Further details are currently awaited.

Muslim students bag 80% of government scholarships

Students from the Muslim community received about 80 per cent of total scholarships offered under 20 Central government schemes in 2018-19, official data shows.

Lord Balaji devotee from Tamil Nadu to donate golden hands worth over Rs 2 crore

A devotee of Lord Balaji from Tamil Nadu, is donating jewellery worth Rs. 2.25 crores to Tirupati Balaji temple here.Tangadorai, a resident of Tamil Nadu, will offer the "Abhaya Hastam" and "Kati Hastam" ornaments to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) officials during "Suprabhata Seva" today (Saturday).The two golden hands weigh 6kgs each.On Friday, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Arjun Ram Meghwal offered prayers at the Lord Balaji temple here.