Religion News – Weekly Newsletter for December 1-6, 2010

Petition inquiring Sonia Gandhi’s religion dismissed

CHANDIGARH – The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday dismissed a petition which sought details on the religion of Congress president Sonia Gandhi from the Registrar General of Census Operations.

A division bench of the high court dismissed the petition of former Haryana police chief P.C. Wadhwa, on whether the registrar general is bound …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Petition inquiring Sonia Gandhi’s religion dismissed.

Congress denies seeking early Kerala polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Kerala unit of the Congress Sunday denied reports that it had asked for the April-May assembly polls to be advanced.

“We are fully geared for the polls but we have not made any request,” Ramesh Chennithala, who heads the Congress’ Kerala unit, said in a press statement.
Three-phased polls were held April … Original source on Gaea Times at : Congress denies seeking early Kerala polls.

Widows in Braj well fed: Report

NEW DELHI – They are not well off financially and many don’t have access to basic amenities like toilets, but most widows in the temple towns in Uttar Pradesh’s Braj region are quite well fed and have “no chance of starvation”, said a report Monday.

The report, “Dimensions of Deprivation: Study on the Poverty Levels …. Original article  : Widows in Braj well fed: Report.

Court stays pardon of Pakistani woman sentenced to death

ISLAMABAD – The Lahore High Court Monday restrained Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari from granting pardon to Christian woman Aasia Bibi, who was sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy.

Aasia had earlier filed an appeal against her death sentence in the Lahore High Court, besides submitting a mercy petition to the president for …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Court stays pardon of Pakistani woman sentenced to death.

Hanukkah Begins

WASHINGTON, (GaeaTimes.com)- Today marks the beginning of the Jewish ‘Festival of Lights’, Hanukkah. The festival is, however, not just restricted to the Jews as people of all races, religion and communities participate in the celebrations. Families get together and light hundreds of candles and enjoy hearty traditional Jewish feasts.
Video producer Elizabeth Tenety explains that …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hanukkah Begins.

Kerala Jews come to relive past, as present fades

KOCHI – From thousands, the number of Jews in Kerala has dwindled to a mere 10 and they too live only in Kochi. The exodus of the community started over 60 years ago, though many visit this city to discover their roots and relive the past.

Sarah Cohen, 89, the oldest Jewish woman here who …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kerala Jews come to relive past, as present fades.

Jew Fraternity Celebrates Happy Hannukkah 2010

BROOME COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (GaeaTimes.com) — On Wednesday, starting from sundown, Jew fraternity from the Southern tier has come together to celebrate the holy festival of Lights, Hanukkah. For the next eight day, Jewish families will observe this great festival with great joy and harmony.
Hanukkah, or the Chanukkah, celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Spiritual leader Sri Daya Mata dies in US

WASHINGTON – Sri Daya Mata, successor to Indian spiritual leader Paramahansa Yogananda, has passed away after heading the worldwide religious movement founded in 1920 for over half a century. She was 96.

One of the first women in modern history to head an international religious movement, Daya Mata who died Monday in Los Angeles served …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ravi Shankar asks NGOS to join effort against corruption

BANGALORE – Spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living (AoL) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said Friday that Indians were torn between “slum India and scam India” and urged NGOs to join the effort to root out corruption in the country.

“”We are torn between slum India and scam India. We need to keep …. Original source  : Ravi Shankar asks NGOS to join effort against corruption.

Carol practice, goodies, prayers – Kerala’s in Xmas mood

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Christmas trees are up, choir practice sessions are on in right earnest, bakers are planning their culinary best and the truly devout are immersed in prayers – the yuletide spirit has already set in and Christians in Kerala are doing all it takes to ring in the Christmas cheer.

The various churches … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Carol practice, goodies, prayers – Kerala’s in Xmas mood.

Yeddyurappa seeks divine grace, hopes to complete term

TIRUCHENDUR – Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Saturday offered prayers at temples in Tamil Nadu and said that he would complete his term and the Bharatiya Janata Party would return to power in his state.

He was here to seek the divine grace of Subramania Swami, the main deity at the Thiruchendur Murugan temple, around …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Yeddyurappa seeks divine grace, hopes to complete term.

Sukhbir Badal urges PM to take up turban ban with Sarkozy

CHANDIGARH – Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal Saturday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up with visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy the issue of the ban on wearing turbans in French schools and get it lifted.

In a letter to the Prime Minster, Badal said that it … Read more : Sukhbir Badal urges PM to take up turban ban with Sarkozy.