Page 85 - Religion Belief

Amarinder seeks Gadkari's intervention for speedy clearance of road projects in historic towns

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Sunday sought the personal intervention of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for expeditious clearance of road projects in the historic towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak. The towns are associated with the life of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, whose 550th "Parkash Purb" (birth anniversary) is being observed this month. In a letter to the Union minister for Road Transport and Highways, the chief minister said he was grateful to the government of India for acceding to the request of the Punjab government related to the projects and announcements in this regard, especially the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate smooth and easy access to Kartarpur Sahib. In view of the historic importance of these religious towns, Amarinder Singh sought an additional allocation of Rs 150 crore under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for the upgradation of the road network in Sultanpur Lodhi, Batala, Dera Baba Nanak and Gurdaspur. The chief ...

Printing press from Germany to be imported for printing Guru Granth Sahib

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) will import an ultra modern fully computerized offset printing press to print copies of the Sikh holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Modi, BJP 'anti-Muslim': Azam Khan

With thousands of Hindu activists and Ram Lalla followers congregating to Ayodhya for the mega 'Dharam Sabha' calling for immediate nod to construct a grand Ram temple, senior Samajwadi party (SP) leader Azam Khan on Sunday lashed out at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling them "anti-Muslim".

Modi remembers Ambedkar, Guru Nanak in 'Mann Ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar and Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, in his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat".

Don't play with sentiments of Hindus: Uddhav Thackeray to BJP

Reiterating his demand for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government not to play with the sentiments of the Hindus.After offering prayer at Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena chief addressed the media and said, "If the matter has to be resolved by the Supreme Court, then it should not be made poll agenda during election campaigning. BJP should not play with the sentiments of the Hindus "Thackeray further said that the BJP should tell the people that Ram temple issue is their 'chunavi jumla' (election gimmick).The Sena chief, who arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday for a two-day visit, clarified that there is no hidden agenda behind his visit to the temple town and that he only wants the construction of the temple at the earliest.In a veiled attack at the BJP, he said that some politicians chant "Ram-Ram" during the election campaign, but once the elections .

Uddhav Thackeray offers prayer at Ram Lalla temple

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray offered prayer at Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya on Sunday morning.The Shiv Sena chief arrived in Ayodhya along with his family on Saturday afternoon for two-day visit. He later offered prayers at the Sarayu river along with his wife Rashmi and son Aditya and addressed a gathering.During his public address, Thackeray asked the central government to announce the date for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. "We want the date when the temple will be made. First, tell us when you will make the temple, then we can talk on other things. Today I want the date. I don't want to take credit for the construction of Ram temple, we want a date," he had said.Ayodhya is set to witness two separate mega events today being organised by the Shiv Sena and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ayodhya to press for the construction of a Lord Ram temple. The VHP's event, called as "Dharma Sansad" would be congregation of saints and supporters of the Ram temple.Meanwhile, ..

Shiv Sena has no role in temple movement: UP Dy CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Sunday disapproved of the Shiv Sena's push for constructing a Ram temple here, saying the party had no role in the temple movement. Maurya's remarks came a day after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asked the BJP-led NDA government to declare a date for the construction of the Ram temple. "There is no problem in Uddhav Thackeray catching a glimpse of Ram Lalla... But, had Balasaheb Thackeray been alive, he would have prevented Uddhav from doing whatever he is doing, Maurya told PTI on the phone. The Shiv Sena had no role in the temple movement or even in the Dharam Sabha, though Balasaheb Thackeray would support the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, he said. He said Uddhav Thackeray should take the VHP, "which is leading such a large-scale movement, along with his party. There is no point creating a divide". The deputy chief minister, who was part of the VHP during the Ram temple movement, said, The devotees of Lord Ram know who can ...

Use of religion, caste by political parties to capture power can disrupt peace: Manmohan Singh

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday warned that use of religion and caste by political parties to capture power can create an atmosphere of hate and division and asserted that saner elements in the society need to unite to counter such evil designs. He said that attempts at communal polarisation create an atmosphere of fear, anxiety and uncertainty and said secular character of all the institutions, Judiciary, Executive and Legislature, is a pre-requisite for peace and harmony. Addressing a conference organised by the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation, Singh claimed that the integrity of major institutions is facing many challenges in the country, while noting that a nation without well functioning institutions is "bound to fail". The deterioration adversely affects the functioning of state organs and erodes their credibility, he said. "Such a situation, he said, can create chaos in society, economy and polity," he said at the conference -- 'Towards Peace, Harmony and ...

Nation sans well-functioning institutions bound to fail: Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that "well-functioning institutions" of governance were not only a necessity to maintain peace and harmony but also to ensure that the nation did not fail."The well-functioning institutions of governance are a necessary condition to maintain peace and harmony. Unfortunately, the integrity of major institutions faces many challenges. The deterioration of the institutions adversely affects the functioning of various organs of the state and erodes their credibility. Such a situation can create chaos in society, economy, and polity. A nation without well-functioning institutions is bound to fail," he said.The former prime minister was speaking at the concluding ceremony of the two-day national conference on "Towards Peace, Harmony and Happiness: Transition to Transformation" organized by Pranab Mukherjee Foundation along with the Centre for Research for Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), a Chandigarh-based think-tank.Speaking on

Bring law or people will start building Ram temple on their own: Ramdev

Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday called for a law on Ram temple otherwise, he feels, people will start building the temple on their own as they are losing patience, which will lead to social harmony.Ramdev told media here, "People have lost patience. Bring a law for Ram temple or else people will start building it on their own. If people do that, communal harmony could be disturbed. I believe there is no opposition to Ram in the country, all Hindus, Muslims and Christians are his descendants."Ramdev's statement comes ahead of the mass gatherings organised by Shiv Sena, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and some Hindu groups in Ayodhya over the weekend.While the VHP is terming its gathering as 'Dharm Sansad', Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is going to participate in an 'Aarti' at the Saryu River and offer prayers at Ram Janambhoomi. Thackeray is also carrying soil from Shiveri Fort in Pune, the birthplace of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which he plans to hand over to the priest ..

Sikh gurdwara management committee to import machine to print Guru Granth Sahib

The management committee of Sikh Gurdwaras in Delhi will import an ultra modern fully computerised offset machine from Germany to print Sikh holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib. The eco-friendly CO2 neutral four colour printing machine costing around Rs 8 crore will be set up at the Granth Sahib building that is coming up in Gurdwara Rakabaganj, president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh said. The new machine is likely to reach in India by April 2019 and the printing is likely to start in May 2019, he said. The Siromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committtee in Amritsar and the DSGMC in Delhi only have exclusive and legal rights for publication of the authentic version of the Guru Granth Sahib. The new printing press will have optimum capacity of printing 10,000 pages per day which will meet the growing demand of holy book worldwide mainly among overseas Sikh devotees, Singh said. The DSGMC is also planning to organise tours for people and school children at the

CP Joshi in trouble over 'Brahmins' remark, slapped with EC notice

Nathdwara Returning Officer Nisha has sent a notice to Congress leader from Rajasthan Dr CP Joshi seeking his reply by 11 pm tomorrow on his "Brahmins" remark.On November 21, the Congress leader while addressing a rally in Nathdwara constituency, from where he is contesting Rajasthan Assembly elections, had said that that only Brahmins can talk about Hinduism. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union minister Uma Bharti, he questioned why the two speak on Hindu religion when they are not Brahmins or Pandits."They say a Congressi cannot be a Hindu, who gave them the authority to issue certificates? Have they opened a university? If anyone knows about religion then it's pandits/brahmins. They are just misguiding the people by such moves. Uma Bharti is a Lodhi, and she talks about Hinduism, the prime minister talks about Hinduism. It is only Brahmins who don't talk about it. The country is being misled. Religion and governance are two different things. Everyone has the right ..

Demolish Jama Masjid, hang me if idols are not found: Sakshi Maharaj

In what could stoke a fresh controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sakshi Maharaj has called for the demolition of Delhi's Jama Masjid while asking the people to hang him if idols of Hindu deities are not found beneath the staircase of the mosque.Addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao on Friday, the BJP parliamentarian said, "After entering politics, the first statement I made in Mathura was: Leave Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi and demolish Delhi's Jama Masjid. If you do not find Hindu idols beneath its staircase, you are welcome to hang me."Maharaj, who is known for making controversial remarks, even cornered the Supreme Court for delaying the verdict on the Ram temple issue."I condemn the attitude of the Supreme Court. They delivered verdicts on a number of cases of less significance, but they are deferring the Ayodhya matter. I expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi government to pass a law in Lok Sabha for the construction of a Ram temple in ...

Madhya Pradesh: A Temple that blesses poll candidates with a win

With assembly elections around the corner, political temperature in the state of Madhya Pradesh is soaring. The candidates are leaving no stone unturned in maximising their chances of a win.Amid all the stunts political leaders are pulling to bag the victory, a visit to this temple in Salkanpur area of Budni constituency has become mandatory, as it is believed that whichever contesting candidate pays obeisance to the deity in this temple wins the electoral battle.Situated in the home constituency of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is Bijasan Mata temple of goddess Durga. This temple has gained traction after Chouhan made numerous visits to the place during his tours to the constituency.Inspired by the chief minister's firm belief in the presiding deity of the temple, other candidates have also started turning up to the holy place to seek blessings of the goddess.According to the legend, the goddess is known to help her devotees destroy enemies. The temple, itself, is famous for .

Missionaries of Jesus request police to shift victim, witnesses to secure location

The Missionaries of Jesus on Friday wrote to the police, requesting to relocate the victim and other witnesses in the Kerala nun rape case to a safer government facility.This comes after Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, a key witness in the rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead in Punjab's Jalandhar on October 22.The brother of the nun, who leveled the rape accusations against the Bishop, alleged that the murder was "pre-planned."The police had earlier asked the Catholic congregation to reveal specific security arrangements for the nuns in the convent home.The police had also suggested a number of safety measures that the Missionaries of Jesus could implement, like night vision cameras and proper lighting on the streets.Bishop Mulakkal, who on October 16 came out on bail from a Kerala jail, a day after being granted conditional bail, is facing allegations of repeatedly raping a nun of his own congregation, a charge that he has categorically denied.The allegations ...

Cong leaders have no regard for "Bharat Mata": CM Raje

While addressing an election rally in the poll-bound Rajasthan, Chief-Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia targeted the Congress party saying that Congress leaders have a problem in eulogizing "Bharat Mata".Raje said that the Congress leaders only respect United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and no one else.Further slamming Gandhi, the Rajasthan Chief Minister said that the Congress party worked for eliminating poor but has done nothing to remove poverty."For 50 years they reiterated the slogan of 'Garibi Hatao' but have done nothing for it rather they eliminated poor," she said."You all have no problem in saying Bharat Mata ki Jai but Congress people do have a problem in saying it. It's because they only consider Sonia Gandhi as their mother and have no regard for Bharat Mata," she said.She also underscored that the Congress had only created the divide in the society in the name of religion and caste."What Congress did was to pitch people against each other in name .

Gujarat ATS nabs man for smuggling fake notes from Bangladesh

Gujarat ATS said Friday it has arrested a person allegedly involved in bringing fake currency notes into India from Bangladesh through Malda in West Bengal. Jyush Sheikh was nabbed Thursday from Mumbai by an ATS team on a tip-off about his presence in the metropolis, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) said in a statement here. Jyush Sheikh was wanted in a case of seizure of high quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 1.61 lakh in May 2016 in Bhuj town of Gujarat, it said. "On getting information that he is still active in FICN racket and is coming to Mumbai, a team of ATS went to that city and arrested him," the statement said. "His primary interrogation has revealed that he is a resident of Malda district in West Bengal. He was smuggling FICN from Bangladesh to India through Malda route," it said. He has been handed over to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Gujarat police in Bhuj, the statement said. On May 27, 2016, the SOG Bhuj had ...

Sukhbir thanks Centre for Karparpur corridor, asks people to follow Guru Nanak Dev's teachings

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday thanked the Centre for clearing a proposal to develop a corridor for easy access of Indian pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur in Pakistan and urged the Sikh community to follow Guru Nanak Dev's teachings in their daily life. Addressing an event at Gurdwara Ber Sahib organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, he said the teachings of the Guru, including equality of all, are as relevant now as they were 500 years back. Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to everyone to make the teachings the cornerstone of their everyday lives. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative to clear a proposal to develop a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district to the International Border to facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur in Pakistan. The SAD president said it was a .

PM attends Gurpurab celebrations at Harsimrat Kaur Badal's residence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday attended Gurpurab celebrations at the residence of Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal here. "Today, on the auspicious occasion of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji' Jayanti, attended a programme at my colleague, Smt. @HarsimratBadal_ Ji's residence," he tweeted. Sharing pictures of the ceremony, he said, over kirtans( devotional songs), we all remembered the noble ideals and message of Guru Nanak Dev.

Nitish recalls Guru Nanaks close association with Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday spoke of the close association of the state with Guru Nanak Dev, whose birth anniversary is being celebrated on this day. Talking to reporters at the Patna Sahib Gurudwara, built in the memory of 10th and last Guru Gobind Singh who was born here, Kumar said grand celebrations will be held in the state on the occasion of Guru Nanaks 550th Prakash Utsav (birth anniversary) next year. "We will celebrate the 550th Prakash Utsav in Rajgir, which was one of the couple of places in Bihar which Guru Nanak had visited. It is said that when Guru Nanak had approached the renowned hot springs there, in search of cool water, one of the fountains started oozing the same in an incident that is ascribed to the holiness of the spiritual giant," Kumar told reporters. "The spot is called Guru Nanak Sheetal Kund. It is visited by Sikhs from all parts of the world and also held in reverence by people of other religions. Construction of a grand ...