The birthday of Bhagwan Rama, known as Rama Navami, is very important for Hindus all around the world. Bhagwan Rama is regarded the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, one of Hinduism's most important deities, and he is adored as the personification of justice, virtue, and an ideal ruler.
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Sadhguru's reaction to the violence offers much-needed perspective in a world where religious and cultural differences continue to separate civilisations. His message extends beyond the immediate context of the attacks on Durga Puja celebrations, expressing a worldwide need for harmony among all communities. Sadhguru provides a thorough grasp of a difficult problem by delving into the cultural background of Durga Puja, its spiritual value, and the importance of respecting various faiths.
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Find out why the Lawmakers, Human Rights orgs, USCRIF, Academia, including Harvard Business School's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, must take the initiative to lead in ending the miss-association of sacred Hindu symbols.
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Throughout history, Hinduism has been more than just a religion; it has been a way of life, a philosophy, and a cultural beacon that has illuminated the world with its profound wisdom and timeless teachings. From ancient scriptures to modern innovations, Hindus and Hinduism have made significant positive contributions to the world, shaping both the spiritual and material realms. Let us explore some of these enduring contributions that continue to enrich humanity.
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On Wednesday 25 October, the Diwali festival was celebrated at the European Union Parliament in Brussels (Belgium). The festival will take place this year on 12 November, but due to Parliament’s own agenda and to allow the largest number of representatives of Hinduism in Europe to attend, it was held two weeks in advance, as reported by La Verdad de Ceuta.
The event was organised by the Hindu Forum of Europe (HFE) in collaboration with the Palan Foundation and the Phi Foundation. Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, has been celebrated in the European Parliament since 2015.
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Raksha Bandhan is derived from two words: "Raksha" meaning protection and "Bandhan" denoting a bond. In Sanskrit, this translates to "a bond of protection."
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"Destructive Lies" Report commissioned by Open Doors and conducted by researchers at the London School of Economics
Click to find Peer Review of the above reprot commisioned by HMB
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A Case Study of Religious Harmony and Dialogue
Among many examples of positive progress towards religious harmony and mutual respect is BAPS – a socio-spiritual organisation which has led the effort to bring about dialogue between different faiths and promote the values of unity in diversity.
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The Christian population in the UK has declined, for the first time, below the 50 percent mark.
UK population by religion - In one of the most notable takeaways from the latest census data released by Britain, the UK's Muslim population has shown a 'rapid' rise, even as the Christian population has declined, for the first time, below the 50 percent mark. Interestingly, there is also a sizeable portion of the Hindu population in the UK - the UK population data has shown. This is the first time that the country's official religion - Christianity - has been followed by a minority population.
According to the excerpts of the data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), some 46.2% of the population of England and Wales described themselves as Christian on the day of the 2021 census, down from 59.3% a decade earlier. The Muslim population grew from 4.9% to 6.5% of the population, even as 1.7% identified as Hindu, up from 1.5% - news agency PTI cited.
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Harrow East MP Bob Blackman hosted a discussion on the plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh amid the recent reported atrocities against Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.
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A special interfaith assembly to pay tribute to soldiers from India and the Commonwealth who served during the First World War was held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, on Friday 16 November 2018 in the presence of over a thousand dignitaries, members of the armed forces, community leaders, faith representatives, and members of the wider community.
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Click Here > Message of Universal Harmony from P Brahmavihari Swami
Credit to BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
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Roughly 100 people gathered Thursday night for Indian food and interfaith dialogue, hosted by the Calvin Interfaith Alliance. The co-directors of the student organizations said it was a stretch goal to have an event of this size and at first didn’t believe it was possible.
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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, hosted various Hindu and Christian faith groups to participate in a community workshop on Saturday 9 February 2019.The event was co-organised with Near Neighbours – a national organisation that brings together people in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse.
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The City of Leicester always tries hard to bring about the community spirit. More public institutions should come and see some of the ideas in action. The latest one from the St Philips Centre is to bring about stronger bonds between Hindus and Muslims by introducing a Channel 4 type programme 'Come Dine with Me' dinner date.
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The most celebrated Diwali festival in Europe is back! Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS 2024), hosted by the MAYOR OF LONDON in partnership with the Diwali in London Committee (DiL), will take place on Sunday, 27th October 2024 at Trafalgar Square.
Once again, this annual celebration of the Festival of Lights will bring communities together for a day filled with joy, culture, and festivity, marking the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Diwali is one of the most significant events in the Indian cultural calendar, and this year’s festival promises to be a spectacular showcase of the rich traditions, vibrant colours, and unity that Diwali embodies.
Open to all and free of charge,
DOTS 2024 invites Londoners and visitors alike to experience the cultural grandeur of this joyous occasion.
Event Highlights – Live Performances:
A day-long programme of performances featuring traditional and contemporary music and dance. Attendees can enjoy the finest classical Indian dance forms and energetic Bollywood performances from talented artistes across the UK.
– Food Stalls: A diverse selection of vegetarian food stalls offering authentic Indian cuisine, from popular street food to traditional sweet treats, allowing guests to savour the flavours of Diwali.
– Family Activities: A range of interactive activities for all ages, including henna art, exciting games, and storytelling sessions focused on the significance of Diwali.
Additionally, a series of unique Marquees will enhance the event’s immersive experience:
– Bhajan Zone: Join a collective of voices singing devotional bhajans, uplifting the spirit of togetherness and harmony.
– Glimpses of Goddesses: A sacred space featuring live representations of Hindu Goddesses, offering a meditative experience of divine grace and power.
– Puppet Marquee: A captivating puppet show retelling the Ramayana, the ancient story behind the festival of Diwali.
– Sari and Turban Marquees: Experience the elegance of a sari or the regal feel of a turban, with expert drapers at hand to guide you.
– Yoga Marquee: Discover the health benefits of yoga through guided workshops suitable for all, whether you are new to yoga or a regular practitioner.
– Dance Marquee: Join in Bollywood dance workshops and experience the joy of movement through a variety of dance styles.
– Children’s Marquee: A dedicated space offering activities and entertainment to keep children engaged throughout the day.
– Diwali Culture Zone: A series of interactive games and cultural experiences, offering a deeper understanding of Diwali and its message of harmony and giving from the heart.
Join Us in Celebration Diwali is a time to reflect on unity, peace, and the spirit of renewal.
Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a vibrant space, filled with light and positivity, embodying the community spirit and values of Diwali.
DOTS 2024 is a unique opportunity for London’s diverse population to come together, appreciate cultural richness, and celebrate the festival’s universal themes.
Event Details
– Date: Sunday, 27th October 2024
– Time: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM GMT
FREE event – Open to ALL
– Location: Trafalgar Square, London
Contact info: Email: media@diwaliinlondon.com Website: www.diwaliinlondon.com
The British Sanatan Dharmic Alliance organised an events called Freedom of Hindu Beliefs. It was a first of its kind event, bringing together prominent parliamentary figures, community leaders, Hindu rights activists, academics and members of the diverse Hindu community.
The farmers protest has taken a violent turn last week when thousands broke through the main protest and invaded one of India’s iconic sites – The Red Fort. And if that was not bad enough, they did it on India’s Republic Day celebrations.
One of the worst years in humanity’s history is coming to an end it is very sad to see that many key events and anniversaries have been marginalised. One such key date is the anniversary of women’s rights which has been rarely mentioned in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has changed the boundaries of what we can do, and what we cannot. Diwali no longer means that thousands of people out on the streets of Leicester or on Trafalgar Square.
The Coronavirus is taken its toll and as the second lockdown takes effect, there are lots of questions as to on what basis decisions are taken. The faith communities are particularly upset. A group of faith leaders have jointly written to the Prime Minister saying: “We strongly disagree with the decision to suspend public worship during this time.”
The world psyche revolves around the coronavirus as stories of death, economic destruction, and glimpses of inspirational individuals continue to cover the news headlines.
As the numbers of covers have begun to rise again, the data for the South Asian community does not look rosy. South Asians are five times more likely to get coronavirus than white people. Numerous reports have shown that BAME communities have a much higher chance of dying from coronavirus than white people.
It is another must-watch. Healing Our Earth group of volunteers are bringing another seven hours of in-depth insight into vegetarian and vegan cuisine. You can watch it at
https://m.facebook.com/healingourearth
and
The amount of information available on coronavirus is astonishing, but with it comes confusion, mixed messages and a whole lot of fake or inaccurate news. So here we are here again hoping to simplify the key information impacting the ethnic communities currently on the news agenda.
Life in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic is severe, stressful and in many cases fatal with the UK death rate rising above forty-four thousand. It is during this time; you see and hear about the brave and enduring individuals who find ways to beat the odds against the virus.
The reasons behind why ethnic minorities are suffering greater losses over COVID than the white population continues. It is also getting more confusing as there is so much speculation, yet less clarity as to what it all means and what extra steps should BAME communities take to fight the dreaded disease.
It is breath-taking to see a young role model making his mark into the mainstream of British arts and culture. The Birmingham Opera Company has appointed locally born Alpesh Chauhan as their new Music Director.
The crisis of Coronavirus continues worldwide. Even countries with low mortality rates are not safe, as they are either lacking increased testing or they are fearing a second wave of the spread which could further bring chaos within the health and economic systems.
What we took for granted only a few weeks ago, now is a completely different world where we cannot even touch our loved ones.
The gentle giant and one of the great pioneers of Asian media in the UK, Ramniklal Solanki has sadly passed away after an illness aged 88. He lives behind a legacy of inspirational stories about his own life as well as the thousands of other lives he helped to highlight on the pages of his media empire.
So, after India threatens to boycott the Commonwealth Games, the officials negotiate and buckle down to a deal where India will host the archery and shooting events and pay the bills.
Indian professionals continue to make their mark on the top echelons of the world's tech companies. The latest one is Arvind Krishna taking up his post in April 2020 as the new CEO of IBM.
Talented Indian techies have an opportunity get funded with a new British Government fund launched to support collaborative research under the UK-India Tech Partnership.
The British Museum has managed to raise around £440,000 to buy a painting by one of India’s greatest painters which was earmarked to be exported abroad. It has been bought with support from the Art Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Brooke Sewell Permanent Fund.
India has adopted the marigold as a symbol to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in WW1.
It’s a sight of a new dawn. Indian culture is extending across the globe. Where Indian culture has been tolerated for the sake of diversity and community relations is now embraced by the mainstream.
Two years have been marked to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary and there have been many celebrations all around the world.
Britain ethnic minority population is nearing 14%. There has been a steady rise in how ethnic minorities are represented in public life at around 8% in parliament.
The threat to places of worship has been mainly targeted toward mosques and synagogues. It would be an oddity that other places of worship would face any kind of hate from vandals and criminals. But in the last year or so, things have changed, and no places of worship are safe from being hit.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has appointed Kumar Iyer as their Chief Economist thereby making him their first BAME origin member of the Board of Management.
The Hindu community has welcomed the Government’s decision to help update crematoria facilities so that the needs of different faiths can be accommodated.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's largest and heaviest Bhagavad Gita at the ISKCON temple in New Delhi. It is the world’s “largest principle sacred text ever to be printed.”
More than 300 guests attended West Midland's Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple for the opening of the Gandhi Peace Centre.
Following on from Diwali in Trafalgar Square and Belgrave Road, Leicester, the wider Europe has begun taking notice of the importance of Hindu Festivals outside India.
In its 17th year, the Diwali festival on Trafalgar Square attracted thousands of people for an afternoon of spectacular celebration and commemorating the legacy of Indian soldiers during WW1.
For years India has had to be stuck with the labels of unhygienic, dirty and not taking environmental issues seriously. Are such views justified?
In its 72nd year of Independence, India is a country with thousands of years of heritage. So how is this diverse nation progressing?
After years of debacle, political scrutiny, community disharmony and blame from all sides, Theresa May’s government has finally decided to ditch the caste legislation.
In a special event dedicated to the UK India-Week, there is much hope that this special relationship will only get stronger as Brexit beckons and Britain needs a major trading partner. With India progressing as an economic hothouse, it is no wonder that the UK-India Week is gaining new gravitas.
A prominent women’s organisation ‘Pukar Group’ in Leicester managed to raise over a thousand pounds by organising a community concert.
In a democratic country, people have a right to protest. And there were plenty of protests during the recent visit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.
It is Easter time in the Christian calendar and people are breaking up for the Easter break. But this year, March 31st also represents a major festival in the Hindu calendar. It is dedicated to the birth one of the great superheroes of civilisation – Lord Hanuman.
Around 10,000 labourers and craftsmen helped build one of the greatest places of worship in the world?
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is endowed to construct the first Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian space programme ISRO has reached another landmark by launching its 100th Indian satellite.
India has adopted the marigold as a symbol to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in WW1.
