Page 31 - Religion Belief
GFP chief seeks sound ban exemption during Lent season
Goa deputy Chief Minister and Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai Monday requested the Election Commission to exempt traditional religious activities from the scope of a sound ban deadline during the Lent season, which is observed by Christians. For the community, Lent is a season of grief that necessarily ends with a great celebration of Easter, which falls on April 21 this year. "Goa Forward Party will request the Election Commission to exempt traditional religious activities in Goa from sound ban under the Noise Pollution Rules," Sardesai twitted on Monday evening. He also said that all religions should come in the ambit of this exemption. "This is relevant due to ongoing Lenten Season and pre Easter services," he tweeted. The Lent season which began on March 6 will end on April 18, followed by Good Friday and the Easter. When contacted, Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Narayan Sawant said the matter would be taken up before district election ...
Horses are her passion for this Kerala teenage schoolgirl
Horses are her passion for 15-year-old Kerala school girl C.N. Krishna -- so much so that the teenager came to the schoool astride her pet horse Rana on the last day of the CBSE Board exam on March 29.
Indonesia rejects appeal of woman jailed over mosque noise complaint
Indonesia's Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a woman sentenced to 18 months in jail under the country's controversial blasphemy law for complaining about the volume of a mosque's call to prayer. Meiliana, 44, an ethnic Chinese Buddhist, was found guilty of insulting Islam for asking her neighbourhood mosque in Medan, on Sumatra island, to lower its sound system because it was too loud and "hurt" her ears. In a decision posted to its website Monday, the Supreme Court said that it had rejected her appeal, but did not elaborate further. Indonesia, which has the world's biggest Muslim population, is officially pluralist with six major religions recognised, including Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism. Freedom of expression is supposed to be guaranteed by law. But criticising religion - particularly Islam, which is followed by nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 260 million citizens - can land offenders in jail. Meiliana's comments more than two years ago triggered riots that ..
BJP to explore possibilities to build Ram temple
The BJP pledged in its Lok Sabha election manifesto released on Monday to explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
I respect and believe in Hinduism: Urmila
Congress candidate from North Mumbai Urmila Matondkar on Monday termed a complaint filed against her as "bogus" and "baseless" and said that she "believes" and "respects" Hinduism."Complaint filed against me is a 100 per cent lie. It is bogus and baseless. I respect and believe in Hinduism with all my heart," she told ANI."Like always, I have been grossly misquoted by the complainant. I request people not to believe in this kind of lie," she said while heading to the Election Commission of India office to file her nomination for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.The criminal complaint was filed by a BJP spokesperson accusing Matondkar of making "false", "mischievous" and "deceitful" comments against Hinduism.The actor-turned-politician joined Congress last month. She is taking on BJP's Gopal Shetty from North Mumbai constituency.The seven-phased Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held from April 11 to May 19.Maharashtra will go to polls in the first four phases, beginning April 11 and .
Opposition leaders have mental issues: Indresh Kumar
Opposition leaders have mental problems and they need to visit medical centres, RSS leader Indresh Kumar said here on Sunday while reacting to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's allegation that BJP spreads hate."Souls and minds of Congress and other opposition parties' leaders are filled with hate and venom that's why they always see 'hate' in the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. I think they have mental problems. They need to visit medical centres," the Muslim Rashtriya Manch patron told ANI.Yadav on Sunday alleged that BJP has divided the people into communal lines and created a rift in the society."BJP has divided the country and society more than the British did. This election is for shedding the wall of hatred that has been created," Yadav said.Kumar also said that Opposition leaders did not get samskara from their parents and do not know to respect their elders. "They (Opposition leaders) perhaps have not got any samskara from their parents hence why they would lie and use abusive
Twitter suspends Chinese religious group accounts
Ahead of Israel's upcoming national elections, micro-blogging site Twitter has suspended nearly 600 suspicious Hebrew-language accounts run by a controversial Chinese religious group.
Complaint against me bogus, Hinduism epitome of peace: Urmila Matondkar
Actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar on Sunday termed a complaint filed against her as "bogus and baseless" while asserting that her comments in an interview were regarding "divisive politics of BJP" and not Hinduism, which is the "epitome of peace"."The complaint filed against me is ex facie bogus, baseless and filed with ulterior motives. I have been grossly misquoted by the complainant, who is a BJP member, with mala fide intentions. In my interview, I had only objected to the fake, divisive and violent ideology promoted by the BJP in the name of Hinduism to misguide our people and bring disrepute to our great religion. Hinduism is an epitome of peace, inclusiveness, and non-violence," said Matondkar in a statement.She also emphasised that she believes in Hinduism which embraces benevolent concepts of Wasudhaiv Kutumbakam and Ahimsa Paramodharma."This is the Hinduism promoted by our great forefathers and Lokmanya Tilak, Gandhiji, Vivekanand and Sardar Patel. I believe in, love .
Complaint against Cong nominee Urmila over 'anti-Hindu' remark
A BJP worker has lodged a police complaint accusing Bollywood actor and Congress' Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North constituency, Urmila Matondkar of making anti-Hindu remarks, an official said Sunday. The BJP worker also sought actions against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly instructing Matondkar to make the "calumnious comments" and journalist Rajdeep Sardesai allegedly for letting the actor make the remarks on his news channel and telecasting them. However, Matondkar said the complaint was bogus and filed with "ulterior motives". Suresh Nakhua, a Mumbai BJP worker, in his compliant lodged with the Powai Police here on Saturday claimed that the remarks hurt the Hindu community's sentiments. Matondkar is pitted against BJP MP Gopal Shetty from the Mumbai North constituency, which goes to poll on April 29. Nakhua said he submitted the complaint after watching Matondkar's interview on a television news channel in which she said the "Hinduism is the most violent ...
Scoreboard of the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders here ...
Scoreboard of the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders here Sunday. Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane lbw b Prasidh 5 Jos Buttler c Shubman Gill b H Gurney 37 Steven Smith not out 73 Rahul Tripathi c Chawla b H Gurney 6 Ben Stokes not out 7 Extras (LB-5, W-4, NB-2) 11 Total (For 3 wkts, 20 Overs) 139 Fall of Wickets: 5-1, 77-2, 105-3. Bowler: Piyush Chawla 4-0-19-0, Prasidh Krishna 4-0-35-1, Sunil Narine 4-0-22-0, Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-33-0, Harry Gurney 4-0-25-2.
Arunachal church body seeking votes for Tuki: Rijiju
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday alleged that the Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA) has been asking people to vote for Congress candidate and former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.
Rahul Gandhi greets nation on Cheti Chand, Sarhul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday extended greeting to the nation on the occasion of the Sindhi New Year Cheti Chand and Sarhul."Best wishes to all people of Chetichand and Sarhul," Rahul wrote on Facebook.Cheti Chand is celebrated across India and Pakistan with great fervour. It marks the beginning of Sindhi new year and the birth anniversary of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the Sindhi saint.Sindhis wear new elegant clothes and join the grand Jhulelal procession. The celebration is followed by a cultural programme and langarsaab.Meanwhile, Sarhul festival celebrated by Bhumji community of Ghagra village in Jharkhand. It is associated with the worship of nature.
Catholic rituals at home, helped Reita Faria steer clear of Hollywood, glamour (Where Are They Now?)
Religious rituals practised in a typical Catholic home and the legacy of her Goan heritage kept Asia's first Miss World Reita Faria away from the glamorous lure of Hollywood and on course of her pursuit to become a doctor.
French priest's 150-year-old heart being venerated in NYC
The 150-year-old heart of a French priest is on a US tour a Roman Catholic relic with New York City as its latest stop. It was on display Saturday at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, where both the faithful and the curious lined up to see the human organ behind glass. The Knights of Columbus fraternity is sponsoring the pilgrimage of the heart. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, is to lead a Sunday procession venerating the heart of Saint John Vianney (vyah-NEH'). He lived during the French Revolution, helping to hide priests on the run. The tradition of venerating the body parts of saintly Catholics goes back to the Middle Ages in Italy.
AAP brushes aside Goa Church displeasure reports
Reacting to reports of Goa's Roman Catholic Church's displeasure, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state convenor and South Goa Lok Sabha candidate Elvis Gomes, here on Saturday, said views of "one or two of the clergy don't represent" the views of the Church.
Obstacles to Ram temple would go away soon: VHP chief
As the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised "Vijay Mahamantra Jaap Anushthans" across the country on Saturday, its working President Alok Kumar said the event will remove all obstacles on way to a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Delhi: Devotees throng temples on first day of Chaitra Navratri
On the first day of Chaitra Navratri on Saturday, devotees thronged temples in the national capital to seek blessings of the almighty on the auspicious occasion.Kalkaji temple and Jhandewalan temple were decked up in flowers as people gathered to attend the first 'Aarti' of the nine-day-long festivities."This is a very special festival for us as, during this, people keep fast for nine days," a devotee told ANI.This year, Chaitra Navratri is being observed from April 6 to 14. It is also hailed as new year by Hindus or Hindu Nav Varsh.Nine 'avatars' or incarnations of Goddess Durga, namely Shailputri, Chandraghata, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidaatri, are worshipped during Chaitra Navratri - one on each day.The festival culminates on April 14 withRamaNavami, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama.During these nine days, devotees observe fasts and perform pujas. Flowers, fruits and other offerings are made to the deity by devotees as they seek peace and ..
Andhra Pradesh: Polling officers cast votes via postal ballots
In a bid to make sure the right to vote is exercised, persons engaged in election duty were allowed to vote for Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency candidates through a postal ballot system here in Krishna district on Friday."Government employees and teachers who will work at various polling booths were given an opportunity to cast their vote today," an Election Commission official said.In Machilipatnam, postal ballot voting was held at Hindu College. As some technical problem occurred in the process, the polling began 2 hours later than the scheduled time.However, 2,000 police personnel were unable to exercise their franchise as there was no proper election duty order copy with the returning officer.Around 33,000 employees and teachers have been assigned election duties in Krishna district.Simultaneous elections will be held in Andhra Pradesh on April 11 for 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Rahul sharpens attack at PM, says Modi 'booted out' his 'guru' Advani
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a jibe at the "guru-shishya" relation between Narendra Modi and senior BJP leader L. K. Advani stating that the Prime Minister booted out Advani and does not even respectably fold his hands and greet the veteran BJP leader."This is a fight of ideology. On one side there is hatred, anger and divide. Wherever Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes, he speaks against somebody or the other. He talks about religion. In Hindu religion, the most important is guru... It is the relation between the guru and his shishya (disciple). Who is Modiji's guru? Advaniji. The shishya (Prime Minister Modi) does not even fold his hands in front of his guru (Advani). He booted his guru off the stage (Stage se uthake fek diya niche guru ko. Joota marke Advaniji ko utara hai stage se). And then he talks about Hindu religion," Rahul said while addressing a rally here."Where is it written in the Hindu religion to spread hatred? Where is it written to kill people? Where
20 DSGMC members to undergo dope and lab test
Twenty members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) have been accused of violating religious norms by colouring their beards, accepting Naamdhari Guru as their Guru. One member is accused of celebrating Vishwakarma day in Gurudwara Sahib.