Latest Hindu News

WASHINGTON, D.C.,March 29, 2007: The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) welcomed the introduction of House Resolution 245, recognizing the festival of Diwali, or Deepavali as it is known in Sanskrit. The resolution recognizing the significance of the festival in the religious and cultural life of over two million Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in the United States was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), co-chairs of the Congressional India Caucus. A similar resolution introduced in the 109th Congress in 2006 by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), also at the Foundation's urging, garnered over thirty-five cosponsors.

NEW JERSEY, USA, March 23, 20077: Perhaps for the first time in summer, Rutgers University is including four new credit courses under religion department about Hindu culture and religion: 1. Hinduism through its Narrative Tradition; 2. Hindu Rituals, Festivals and Symbols; 3. Hindu Philosophy; and 4. Hinduism and Modernity. In addition, Sanskrit, the ancient Indian classical language is also offered as a credit course. All these courses can be taken by anybody without any pre-requisites. For more info, please visit URL above. (HPI note: Our thanks to Pankaj Jain for this information.)

REUNION ISLAND, FRANCE, March 19, 2007: A newly founded association, Jay Saraswati, based at the Chinmaya Vedantic Center in Saint-Suzanne on the northeast side of the island, will strive to promote Indian culture. "Our aim is to boost a cultural revival," explains Swami Pranavananda. "If you feel too old to learn Sanskrit or Tamil, then enroll your children at the center! Otherwise we (the Hindus of Reunion) are going to be the losers. Let's stay united!," he advised.

CARSON CITY, NEVADA, March 20, 2007: Rajan Zed, Director of Public Affairs of Hindu Temple of Northern Nevada, Public Relations Officer of India Association of Northern Nevada, and a Hindu chaplain, read ancient Hindu prayer/blessing in Sanskrit at the opening of the Nevada State Assembly session here. This is the first time any Hindu prayer is delivered in the Nevada State Legislature since its formation in 1864, says Pastor Albert Tilstra, Chaplain Coordinator for Nevada Legislature.