Hindu Press International

A daily news summary for news media, educators, researchers, writers and religious leaders worldwide, courtesy of Hinduism Today magazine's editorial staff

Hindu Priestess Sees Change in Tradition
ISRO To Provide Satellite Images of Sabarimala
Surya Namaskars In New York
Edmonton Hindus Celebrate Vivekananda's 148th Birthday
Daily Inspiration

Hindu Priestess Sees Change in Tradition

SUVA, FIJI, January 15, 2011: Premila Devi Prasad, 50, has been practicing her role as a priestess for nearly 20 years now. But it was only recently that she has found satisfaction in her work because of acceptance by the community.

Prasad was registered as a priestess in 1992 by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Vanua Levu and has solemnized about 20 marriages and performed more than 25 cremations. This profession was taken by Prasad as a challenge to herself and partially to make her late father Ram Khelawan, proud. 'My father was a pundit and he always encouraged me to conduct religious rituals,' Prasad said. 'Heeding his word I took up the profession to show that women and men are equal, which is preached in the Vedas.'

Ms. Prasad has conducted religious rituals in Taveuni, Savusavu, Sava and Rakiraki. 'I am very thankful to Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Vanua Levu for giving me the opportunity and to the people for accepting me,' Prasad said. 'I'm very satisfied with my work and hope to give back to my community by providing my services.' Prasad is employed by the Save the Children Labasa as the education advisor and is happily married with two daughters in Bulileka.

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ISRO To Provide Satellite Images of Sabarimala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, January 17, 2011: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will provide satellite pictures of Sabarimala area using remote sensing technology for taking measures to prevent disasters like the stampede that claimed 102 lives last week.

ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan said such three dimensional images would help the government and temple board to improve infrastructure in Sabarimala area and help to avoid such tragedies.

With the support of Union government, ISRO had already prepared a databank of peripheral pictures of around 200 districts in the country. The agency would soon expand the program across the country, ISRO Chairman said.

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Surya Namaskars In New York

MOUNT KISCO, NEW YORK, January 22, 2011: For Lower Hudson Valley residents, a free public workshop Sunday will teach the 10 yogic poses and breathing techniques that make up a sun salutation or surya namaskar.

Since 2007, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, a nonprofit socio-cultural organization, has sought to popularize surya namaskar by organizing a two-week yogathon across the country. 'On a philosophical level, we believe that our physical well-being is connected to the celestial bodies,' said Pragya Kant Manglik, general secretary of HSS for the northeast region. 'Life on earth would not be possible without sun, and the salutations are a recognition of a life source.'

The yogathon, whose motto is Health for Humanity, aims to create awareness about yoga and its advantages by dedicating 1 million salutations to surya or sun between Jan.15 and Jan. 30. Last year, the event came within striking distance of the goal, with about 9,000 people offering close to 945,000 salutations.

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Edmonton Hindus Celebrate Vivekananda's 148th Birthday

EDMONTON, CANADA, January 22, 2011: Edmonton's Hindu community is celebrating the life of spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. This weekend coincided with the 148th birthday of the swami. On Sunday, a new pictorial gallery of his life was opened. Swami Kripamayananda Ji, president of the Vedanta Society of Toronto, blessed the gallery at the Hindu Society Temple.

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Daily Inspiration

If even a single one of the senses is uncontrolled, all knowledge leaves a person just as water drains from a leaking water vessel.
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;Manu Samhita, Verse II.99

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