Page 40 - Religion Belief
Hyderabad man shot at in NZ, another missing (2nd Lead)
A man from Hyderabad was critically injured and another was missing in the horrific massacre at one of the two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch city on Friday.
Gandhiji's philosophy based on principles of different
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi Friday said the young generation can come up with answers to present day problems based on the thinking of Mahatma Gandhi. Inaugurating a two-day symposium Understanding Mahatma Gandhi: Relevance of His Thought & Philosophy For Our Times at the 'Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Institute of Management Science', Tripathi said Gandhiji's philosophy was not just based on religious principles drawn from Hinduism. "It needs to be mentioned that Gandhijis philosophy was based on religious principles drawn from not just Hinduism but also from different tenets of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism," the Governor said. Tripathi, said Gandhiji also gave lots of importance on decentralisation and peoples power. "I sincerely hope that the young generation will be able to come with answers to present day problems based on Gandhijis thinking and preachings," the governor said. Congratulating BIMS for their initiative to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi, ...
Shootings in New Zealand despicable act of terrorism: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday condemned the mass shootings in New Zealand that killed 49 people and termed it "a despicable act of terrorism". He said the world stands in need of compassion and understanding and not bigotry and hate-filled extremism. "The New Zealand Shooting is a despicable act of terrorism, that must be condemned unequivocally. The world stands in need of compassion and understanding. Not bigotry and hate filled extremism. My condolences to the families of the victims. My prayers go out to those who were injured," he said on Twitter. Mass shootings at two mosques full of worshippers attending Friday prayers killed 49 people in New Zealand. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel described the New Zealand incident as a "crime against humanity" as he called for a fight against bigotry and hatred. "What happened in New Zealand is a crime against humanity. It is a dangerous reminder that hatred and bigotry must be fought at every turn. The families of the victims
Sri Jagannath Temple's annual budget Rs 102 crore
The Temple Managing Committee Friday approved Sri Jagannath Temple's annual budget for the year 2019-20 at Rs 102 crore, officials said. The approval was made at the Managing Committee meeting chaired by Gajapati Divyasingha Deb and attended by Puri district collector JP Das, superintendent of police Umashankar Das, members of the temple managing committee and senior servitors. Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), P K Mahapatra, said the expenditure for the temple is pegged at Rs 78 crore out of the total fund generation of Rs 102 crore. While the budget allocation for this years Rath Yatra is Rs 6 crore, they approved a proposal to enhance the Gajapatis annual honorarium from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. Stating that the annual donation received by the temple was Rs 4 crore, Mahapatra said efforts will be made to increase the volume of donation. "The temple's annual expenditure towards servitors and employees is Rs Rs 32 crore and Rs 28 ..
Hyderabad man shot at in NZ massacre
A man from Hyderabad was critically injured and another was missing in the horrific massacre at one of the two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch city on Friday.
BJP protests defacement of lotus rangoli in TN temple
The BJP on Friday condemned and opposed the alleged effacing of a drawing of lotus in an ancient temple in southern Tamil Nadu by officials, in view of the Model Code of Conduct. The public had drawn the motif of a lotus at the famed Srivilliputhur Sri Andal temple -about 540 km from here- as part of tradition followed for many centuries, BJP Tamil Nadu chief Tamilisai Soundararajan said. "The public had drawn lotus in which Goddess Mahalakshmi is seated out of devotion and it was not done for elections," she said. The Saffron party leader sought to know if the officials would remove the hand of the deity since it was the symbol of the Congress party. "Will you conceal the rising sun too since it is also a symbol (of the DMK)?" she asked. The Srivilliputhur temple is in Virudhunagar district, about 80 kms from Madurai. It is one of the most revered 108 (Divya Desam) Vaishnavite temples. Despite repeated attempts, the temple officials were unavailable for comments.
Erdogan says New Zealand attack shows growing hostility to Islam
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday condemned the deadly attack on two mosques in New Zealand, saying it illustrated the growing hostility towards Islam "idly" watched by the world. The attacks on the Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead, with one gunman -- identified as an Australian extremist -- apparently livestreaming the assault and publishing a manifesto online. "With this attack, hostility towards Islam, that the world has been idly watching and even encouraging for some time, has gone beyond individual harassment to reach the level of mass killing," Erdogan said at the funeral of a former Turkish minister. Turkish media reported the manifesto contained specific references to Turkey and ridding the famed Hagia Sophia in Istanbul of its minarets. Now a museum, the building was once a church before being turned into a mosque during the Ottoman empire. "It is clear that the understanding represented by the killer that also targets our country, our people and ...
9 Indians missing after Christchurch shootings
At least 9 people of Indian nationality or Indian origin are missing after Friday's shootings at two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch left 49 people dead, High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli said.
Church body's plea to postpone LS polls scheduled for April 18
An influential Christian group Friday made an appeal to the Election Commission to "either anticipate or postpone" the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 18 as the day 'Maundy Thursday' is a holy day which commemorates the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church in the country, made the plea in a letter to the Election Commission (EC). It informed the EC that "with the important election date clashing with the Religious Services Maundy Thursday, Christians may find it very difficult to fulfil both the calls for worship and for electoral duties specially those called to be poll officers or are placed on other active polling duties." Christians celebrate Easter with three intensive days of prayers--Maundy Thursday which commemorates the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples after which he was arrested, Good Friday which observes the day of Crucifixion and death of Jesus and ...
Nun issued final notice to leave congregation
A final notice has been issued by church authorities to the nun who took part in a protest against rape accused Franco Mullakal, former Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese, asking her to leave her congregation. In its final notice, the Franciscan Clarist Congregation accused Sister Lucy Kalapura, belonging to its St Mary's province at Mananthavady, of leading a life which was against the "principles of religious life" and the rule of the congregation. Kalapura told mediapersons Friday that the church authorities have given the notice asking her either to leave the congregation or to face ouster. "It's sad that the church has asked me to leave the congregation. I joined the church when I was 17. I have lived a life following all the principles of religious life. I don't have any other life. My reply to the second warning letter earlier was very clear. I have explained my stand," she said. The nun has been asked to give her explanation to Superior General sister at Generalate of the ...
Pope voices solidarity with Muslims after New Zealand attacks
Pope Francis assured "all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his heartfelt solidarity," after Friday's attacks on two mosques which left 49 people dead. The pope was "deeply saddened to learn of the injury and loss of life caused by the senseless acts of violence," Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said in a telegram.
Indian mission in New Zealand offers support after mosque shootings
India's High Commission in New Zealand on Friday said that any Indian national affected by the attacks on two Christchurch mosques can contact the mission for assistance. At least 49 worshippers were killed in attacks on the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city's outer suburb, in what appeared to be the worst attack on Muslims in a western country. Expressing shock over the incident, the mission tweeted two contact numbers 021803899 and 021850033 for providing assistance. "We are shocked to hear about the shooting in Christchurch. Any Indians needing assistance should contact us at 021803899 or 021850033," the Twitter account of the Indian High Commission in New Zealand said. "Our prayers go out to everyone who is affected. Help us spread the word. Stay safe!!" it said. There was no immediate reports of any Indian affected in the incident. Approximately 200,000 Indian and Indian-origin people live in New Zealand. There are over 30,000 Indian ...
Christchurch bloodbath: Witnesses prayed for end to horror
Fear shrouded New Zealand's Christchurch city on Friday as survivors recounted horrifying details after 49 people were gunned down in deadly shootings at two mosques in the city centre.
Restore Good Friday as compulsory holiday in Daman and Diu: Alphons to Home Secy
Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons has written to the Union Home Secretary Friday demanding that Good Friday be restored as a compulsory holiday in the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, amidst protests by the Christian community against its removal from the list of holidays. The change was made in the official district administration notification in November 2018 when Good Friday national public holiday was transferred from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 or restricted holiday category. "Daman & Diu, Dadra Haveli have taken off Good Friday from the list of compulsory holidays as per yesterday's newspaper report. Please ensure that these Union Territories restore Good Friday as a Compulsory holiday. Kindly let me know," Alphons has said in his letter to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Good Friday is celebrated on April 19 and is considered one of the most sacred day for the Christian community after Christmas. The central government has declared it a ...
'Inshallah you're in paradise' - Sonny Bill in tearful attacks tribute
Tearful rugby star Sonny Bill Williams said he hoped the victims of the Christchurch mosque massacre were in "paradise" in an emotional video tribute on Friday. The devout Muslim, wearing a skull cap, wiped away tears several times in the brief footage which he filmed sitting in a car. Police reported multiple deaths in attacks on two crowded mosques during Friday prayers in Christchurch, where Williams played for the Crusaders earlier in his career. "Just heard the news. I couldn't put it into words how I'm feeling right now," the World Cup-winning All Blacks centre said in the video posted on Twitter. "Inshallah (God willing) everyone who's been killed today... you guys are all in paradise," he added. "Just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand.
Active shooter situation at New Zealand mosque, casualties feared
Police are responding to an 'active shooter' situation at a mosque here, according to local media."A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter," Al Jazeera quoted Police Commissioner Mike Bush as saying.Local media reports suggest that a gunman entered a mosque here on Friday and started shooting with an automatic weapon. "A gunman - dressed in black with a helmet carrying a machine gun - came into the back of the mosque and started firing into the people praying there," Al Jazeera quoted local media as saying.People as young as 16 years are reported to have been inside the mosque at the time of firing.Several casualties are feared, as authorities are yet to confirm the exact figure of deceased or wounded.Further information is awaited.
Prominent Lingayat pontiff Maate Mahadevi passes away
Prominent Lingayat pontiff and Basava Dharma Peetha President Maate Mahadevi breathed her last at a private hospital here on Thursday. She was 74.Reportedly, she passed away due to multiple organ failure. Hospital authorities said that she was on life support ever since she was admitted.Installed as 'Jagadguru' in the 1970s, Maate Mahadevi established several educational and religious institutions and published several books.In 2017-18, she was at the forefront of a movement in Karnataka demanding separate religion status for the Lingayat community.
German Catholics accused of 'stonewalling' by child abuse victims
Germany's under-fire Catholic Church admitted Thursday it must urgently confront its child sex abuse scandal, but victims accused it of continued "stonewalling", especially on compensation. As in Australia, Chile, France, Ireland and the United States, Germany's Catholic Church has had to admit to abuses by predator priests and clergy and their systematic cover-up over decades. "We carry responsibility toward those affected around the world -- no-one among us can still negate the problem or treat it as a taboo," said Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the German Bishops' Conference. To the thousands of German victims and to other critics, Marx said, "we see and hear you ... we have understood", speaking at the end of a four-day episcopal conference in the western city of Lingen. The era of silence "is over", he stressed weeks after a Vatican conference also addressed the issue, and he admitted that it should have been dealt with "perhaps 20 years, 30 years ago". But Cardinal Marx also ...
Passion for organic farming bring UK national to Puducherry
Krishna McKenzie, a British national, travelled all the way from his country to Puducherry to make a career in organic farming.It was the Indian culture and his passion for organic farming that attracted him to Puducherry.He is an ardent advocate of eco-friendliness in the quaint township of Auroville.Krishna was inspired by the Indian culture since his Alma mater, J Krishnamurti School, in the UK. Later on, he made the life-changing decision of stepping into organic farming in India."I came here in January 1993 and it's been 26 years in Tamil Nadu. The journey is very surprising for me. I find hard to believe, how the message has touched me so deeply about honouring our culture nutritional heritage," he told ANI."In a country like England, we don't know from where food comes," he said, and asked, "if we lose relationship with the foundation of our lives, then how will be our society, culture, nutrition and medicines will reflect in the education, economics and ecology?He said ...
German Catholics meeting to address child sex abuse scandal
Germany's Catholic Church was Thursday due to speak about steps and reforms to address its child sex abuse scandal, which mirrors paedophilia revelations in congregations worldwide. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the head of the German Bishops' Conference, was due to give a 1300 GMT press conference at the end of a four-day episcopal conference in the western city of Lingen. As in Australia, Chile, France, Ireland and the United States, Germany's Catholic Church has had to admit to abuses by predator priests and clergy and their systematic cover-ups over decades. Germany's Church last September released a study that showed 1,670 clergymen had committed some form of sexual attack against 3,677 minors, mostly boys, between 1946 and 2014. The authors said the figure was "the tip of the iceberg" as many Church documents had been "destroyed or manipulated". Last month a Vatican meeting addressed the global issue heaping pressure on the Church, and this week Australian Cardinal George Pell, one of