HINDU INFO

DRONA The Movie

2008-10-09T14:04:00.000-07:00

It must have been about a year ago since I last went to see a Bollywood movie.
So I went to see DRONA over the weekend.

DRONA is a story about the Nectar that was churned out of the ocean by the gods and demons many years ago. Some of it was left over and was being protected by a generation of family, each of whom is called DRONA. Every now and then in every generation a demon attempts to find the secret of the whereabouts of the nectar.

The pronunciation of DRONA was so wrong in the film and to think an Indian made this film!
They kept saying DRON-AA. The emphasis on `A' at the end of it.
It should simply be DRON.
Not DRON-AA.
It seems all Indians have suddenly become very English that they cant even pronounce words in their own language.

The film started off with a boy in his bedroom and a blue petal come flying through his window. Hold on. Ive seen this before in another movie called Harry Potter!

Aditya the child was unaware of his real identity and the destiny that awaited him.
That was taken from Buffy!
Then we went through clips of Indiana Jones, the first Superman Movie with Christopher Reeves, The first Mummy movie, Matrix, Lord of the Rings and countless others! Why dont you list the rest. I could not find one original sequence in the movie.

Lord of the Rings-now that was so blatantly obvious copy of Gandalph look-a-like and his stick too!
The demon who was after the secret of the nectar was named Riz Raizada.
That name is so wrong!! Just as bad as the character potrayed and the villainous acting was pathetic.

Priyanka comes from a Nobel family but was given a random common name like Sonia. I thought that was rubbish. Indians cant even come up with a good name for characters. How many times have has Sonias in Indian movies. Nearly all of them do I hear?

I then came to the conclusion that this movie was for under five year old in which case they may have enjoyed it.

Of the 100s of Bollywood movies I have seen over the years this must be the worst in terms of storyline, acting, songs, fights sequences, even special effects were just badly used.

Don't be fooled by the review and rumours that this is somehow religious. Its not and don't waste your money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drona_(film)

Look at these posters on these websites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drona_(film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Persia:_The_Sands_of_Time

Memorial Bhajans Leicester

2008-10-04T03:33:00.000-07:00

Joy Of Conscious Living

2008-09-08T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ratha Yatra 2008

2008-07-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Historic Event this year

with

Humungous Chariots

See full details on
http://www.leicester-rathayatra.co.uk/

For the FIRST time LEICESTER CITY will be hosting three grand CHARIOTS through the city.
Please come and support the most spectacular HINDU event of the year.

SUNDAY 3rd AUGUST 2008
Procession begins at 11.30 am at the Clock Tower -City Centre
Finishes at Cossington Park

3 CHARIOTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LEICESTER

View last years clips of Yatra in Leicester You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRRjFA9nE9c

Photos
http://www.leicester-rathayatra.co.uk/ry%202007/ry2007.htm

BIRMINGHAM RATH YATRA IS ON SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 2008
from Victoria Square 12.00midday to 6.00pm

2008 photos Leicester

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13462353@N05

Gayatri Jayanti - Ganga Dashhara - Gayatri Maha Yagya

2008-06-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

Maharaji DVD Presentation

2008-05-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

UKs First Asian Female Lord Mayor

2008-05-31T09:41:00.001-07:00

Srimad Bhagwat at Leicester

2008-05-17T10:54:00.001-07:00

Belgrave Road Leicester in Fashion

2008-03-24T04:06:00.000-07:00

Belgrave Road Leicester in Fashion 2008

Shivratri with Hindu Religion Study Group

2008-03-24T03:38:00.000-07:00

Shivratri with Hindu Religion Study Group Leicester

Sri Goura Purnima

2008-03-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

Bhagvad Gita Maha Yajna

2007-12-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

Sunday 23 December 2007

The entire Bhagvad Gita will be read. 11.00am onwards.

100 GREAT Websites on Hinduism and Bhagavad Gita

2007-11-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

See the article on

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hinduinfo/message/828

Post your links here.

Previous 50 websites listed were
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hinduinfo/message/121

This list is in alphabetical order.

1. A TRIBUTE TO HINDUISM

http://www.atributetohinduism.com/index.htm
One of the GREATEST website on Hinduism. If not the BEST.

2. ARISE ARJUNA

http://www.hindubooks.org/david_frawley/arjuna/arise_arjuna/page1.htm
Part of the Hindunet website. This is quite an inspiring book and needs to be allocated as a separate website. A book written by David Frawley.

3. Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants (AGII)

http://www.agiivideo.com/
Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants (AGII), a registered nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the production of audiovisual materials for the families of Indian Immigrants.

4. ASTRO JYOTI

http://www.astrojyoti.com/sriramastuti.htm
INTRO
http://www.astrojyoti.com/aboutastrojyoti.htm

5. BHAGWAT SHAH'S WEBSITE

http://www.geocities.com/athens/7830/index.html
A personal reflection.

http://www.geocities.com/athens/7830/thoughts.htm
Bhagwat Shah

6. SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM

http://www.bhagavata.org/index.html

7. BHAKTISANGEET

http://www.bhaktisangeet.com/

8. Celextel's Online Spiritual Library

http://www.celextel.org/home.html
Here you would find the Online Books of Vedanta Literature and other Indian Spiritual Books.

9. CHARITIES IN INDIA A LIST

http://www.indianngos.com/listofngos.htm

10. CRYSTALCLARITY –

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI an online book

http://www.crystalclarity.com/yogananda/
The single greatest book you will ever read.

11. CUISINE and CULTURE
http://www.cuisinecuisine.com/HomePage.htm

12 Dal Sabzi for the Aatman
http://www.dalsabzi.com/

13. THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
http://www.dlshq.org/
They have some great books to download and questions answer chapters which you will find fascinating.

Also see

http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

14 GANDHI

http://www.mkgandhi.org/index.htm

15 GITA SOCIETY

Home of "Free Gita".
http://www.gita-society.com//

16. The Global Oneness Community
is open for everyone wanting to work for global oneness.
http://www.experiencefesti val.com/community/index.php

17. HINDUISM Links to all things Hindu

http://www.allspiritual.com/Hinduism.php3

18. HINDUISM Links to all things Hindu

http://www.hinduism.co.za/
This web site is dedicated to understanding
SANATAN VED DHARMA (Hinduism).

An award-winning site from South Africa

Our website hinduism.co.za/ has been awarded
1.The Study Web Excellence Award
2.The Internext Gold Site Gold Medal award
3.The Elite Site Award
4.William Rainey Harper College (USA), Geography Student's
Top Ten Internet Sites - Spring 1999
5 The Encyclopaedia Brittanica : Best of the Webs (May 2000)

19. HINDUNET the ultimate guide to Hinduism

http://www.hindunet.org/

20. HINDU ORG

http://www.hindu.org/

The goal of www.hindu.org is to publish and connect all Hindu organizations, leaders and resources such as news, events, publications, Vedic sciences, art, music and culture on the Internet's World Wide Web.

21. HINDUWEBSITE.COM

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/
Hinduwebsite.com provides comprehensive information on Hinduism and Hinduism resources. Apart from Hinduism and Hinduism resources, Hinduwebsite also provides information on other major Indian religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. There is a section devoted to Zoroastrianism and the teachings of Zarathushtra, which had a significant connection with the Vedic culture of ancient India.

22. HISTORY OF INDIA

http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/timeline/timeline.htm
SEE the TIMELINE
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/timeline/timeline.htm

23. GAYATRI PARIVAR

http://www.awgp.org/english/mission/mission.html
Fantastic website ALL WORLD GAYATRI PARIVAR

Why not join their yahoo group at the same time.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gayatri_parivar/

24. INDIAN GOVERNMENT WEBSITE

http://indiaimage.nic.in/
Government of India

http://www.india.gov.in/
The President of India

http://www.india.gov.in/outerwin.htm?id=http://presidentofindia.nic.in
Overseas

http://www.india.gov.in/overseas.php

25 INDIA DIVINE

http://www.indiadivine.org/

26. INDIAN HERITAGE

http://www.indian-heritage.org/

27. INDOlink supports AGII in its dedication to Indians worldwide.

Below is a link to INDOlink's website.

http://www.indolink.com/
and

http://www.indolink.com/Kidz/index.php

28. INDUSLADIES

http://www.indusladies.com/customs/index.php

Great website for women

29. ISKCON

http://www.iskcon.com/

30. KAMAT'S POTPOURRI

Homepage
http://www.kamat.com/
see this wonderful and easy to use sitemap
http://www.kamat.com/goaround/sitemap.htm

INDIAN ART
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/art/index.htm

BHAKTI ART
http://www.bhaktiart.com/?page=index

INDIAN LANDSCAPE
http://www.kamat.com/database/content/landscapes/index.htm

India has had a particular fascination for travelers from far off lands through the ages. They have been incongruous mixture of pilgrims, and missionaries, merchants and envoys, soldiers of fortune and adventurer of all types.

…………….many of them have left highly informative and vivid accounts of their travels. They have given us delightful descriptions of different facets of Indian life -- social customs and institutions, religious practices and beliefs, trade and commerce, government and administration.

Surprisingly, there is no evidence of any picture of India until almost the end of 18th century. ………………..

……………………………….Their sketches gave outside world - in fact even the Indians themselves - the first visual pictures of the wonderful monuments in different parts of the country.

Life in India as expressed by some of India's best known artists
http://www.kamat.com/picturehouse/bharat/index.htm

19th Century India
http://www.kamat.com/database/content/19th_century/index.htm

Women of India
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/women/index.htm

31. MAIL MINDER

http://mailerindia.com/
Mailerindia is now expanding its research wing by employing more vedic scholars to do a detailed study of our vedas and siddhas. We welcome you to assist us by contributing liberally for the noble cause.

READ THE DISCLAIMER FIRST
http://mailerindia.com/agree.php

READ THE DISCLAIMER
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

All the contents of our portal are based upon the Vedic guidance rendered by the great sages, scholars and learned authors through sastras, satsangs, literature, books and advices. However the practice of the same is to done by the individuals as per their own best judgment. We do not guarantee or assure the correctness of the contents by the scale of the modern science.

Hindu Gods
Hindu way of life
Slokas & Mantras
Astrology
Numerology
Vaastu Sastra
Adult
Thiru Mantram
Temples India
Samskaras & Almanac
Get Arudam
Discover India
NavaGrahas
Contact Us

32. MAHATMA GANDHI
http://www.mkgandhi.org/index.htm

33 MAPS OF INDIA
http://www.mapsofindia.com/

Unusual website to suggest but it has some good historical maps.
http://www.mapsofindia.com/history/index.html

34. MYSTIC MOUSE
http://www.gurudeva.org/resources/children/mystic_mouse/pdfs/

35. OM-GURU.COM
http://www.om-guru.com/

36 PARENTING FOR INDIANS
http://www.indiaparenting.com/

Everything you wanted to know about children, teen issues, parenting, life and more.
A comprehensive website on Parenting with in-depth advice, links and forums.
Planning a Baby, Expecting ParentsParents of BabiesParents of Pre-schoolersParents of School goersParents of TeensIndian CultureIndian Stories & LegendsIndian PrayersIndian ReligionsIndian FestivalsRhymes & SongsHome & DecorLove & RelationshipsHealth and FitnessAlternative HealingBaby ZoneDoctors on CallCooking ClubBeauty & GroomingWomen's HealthOvulation CalculatorWomen's Issues

37. PHILOSOPHY, LIFE, SCIENCE, SPIRITUALITY,
http://www.reflectionsindia.org/
Enlightenment, Awareness & Wisdom

The Reflections group was started by Dr. Haramohan Mishra on 1st January 2003.
The organization aims at a deeper understanding of the broad-based human predicament with its aspirations and objectives. It is a non-profiteering, non-sectarian, non-religious thinking group which extends its activities to the manifold human endeavors in the fields of philosophy, science, religion, literature, management studies, eco-awareness and social service vis-à-vis human values and the background of cosmic consciousness.

It tries to make the society aware of the great ideas behind all human activities that make living brighter, richer, happier and more fulfilling. Though the primary concerns of the organization are intellectual, it makes all efforts to spread awareness in the society through the arrangement of seminars, symposia and enlightenment campaigns.

38. SACRED-TEXTS

http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm

The Internet Sacred Text Archive CD-ROM includes electronic texts of nearly a thousand of the most important books and articles ever written, including over two hundred transcribed specially for sacred-texts. Years of extensive research and scholarship went into this CD-ROM: all the core texts of religion, mythology, folklore and the esoteric are on one disk.

Hinduism

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm

439 The Rig-Veda
440 Rig-Veda (Sanskrit)
441 The Sama-Veda
442 The Yajur Veda
443 The Atharva-Veda
444 A Vedic Reader for Students
445 The Upanishads
446 The Upanishads, Part I (SBE 1)
447 The Upanishads, Part II (SBE 15)
448 The Laws of Manu
449 The Sacred Laws of the Âryas, Part I
450 The Sacred Laws of the Âryas, Part II
451 The Institutes of Vishnu
452 Rámáyan Of Válmíki
453 The Ramayana and Mahabharata
454 Indian Idylls
455 The Bhagavadgîtâ
456 The Bhagavad Gita
457 The Vedântâ-Sûtras
458 The Vedântâ-Sûtras
459 The Vedântâ-Sûtras
460 The Devî Gita
461 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
462 The Sánkhya Aphorisms of Kapila
463 Twenty-two Goblins
464 Indian Fairy Tales
465 Old Deccan Days
466 Journal articles: Hinduism
467 Songs of Kabîr
468 Works of Rabindranath Tagore
469 Sanskrit dictionary

39 SANATAN SOCIETY
http://www.sanatansociety.com/

40 SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY
A vedAnta perception
http://www.geocities.com/profvk/

On the web at this site: Gems from the Ocean of Hindu Thought, Vision and Practice.
The Complete contents are classified into 13 Beaches

Each BEACH has several WAVES
Each WAVE may have DROPS
And some DROPS have DROPLETS too.

BEACH 1: The First Prostration : Names of God and their meanings.

BEACH 2: First Steps on the Ascent to the Divine : Overview of Hindu Philosophy. Karma Yoga. Scriptures.

BEACH 3: Focus on Three Qualities of God : Upanishads. The Absolute. Conversation on Concept of GOD

BEACH 4: A Dose of Mythology : Cosmic Time. Cosmic Dance. Puranic stories.

BEACH 5: Devotees of the Lord : Apostles of God-intoxication. Superlative Devotion.

BEACH 6: The Guru : The Great Acharyas. Dakshinamurti Ashtakam.

BEACH 7: The Art and Science of Spiritual Love : Vedanta. Overview of Religious Worship. Narayaneeyam. Paramacharya's Soundaryalahari Discourses. Krishna's Raas Leela.

BEACH 8: One's Nature vis-à-vis one's Duty : The Varna System. The Secrets of the Gita

BEACH 9: Speak to God : Dhruva Stuti.

BEACH 10: Hinduism for the Next Generation : Elementary presentations for the beginner and the neophyte

Includes a long dialogue about Free Will and Divine Will

BEACH 11: Live Happily - the Gita Way : Comprehensive overview of the Gita with Happiness as the Theme

BEACH 12: Advaita Dialogue For Beginners : A First exposure to advaita from scratch in an 1008-step conversation

BEACH 13: Bhagavatam and Advaita bhakti : Overview of Shrimad Bhagavatam. Cosmic Genealogy as per Bhagavatam

41. SHAIVAM Worship of Lord Shiva

http://www.shaivam.org/index.html
Website dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva
The Great Women of Shaivism
http://www.shaivam.org/adwomen.html

42 SIVASHAKTI
THE SIVASAKTI.COM SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY
http://sivasakti.com/links.html

43 SHRI VEDA BHARATHI Learn SANSKRIT http://www.shrivedabharathi.in/

44 STEPHEN KNAPP
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/index.htm
This has become a huge site with lots of information for the promotion of personal and social spiritual development, especially by using the Vedic path. This site has something for everyone interested in Spiritual Enlightenment, Eastern Philosophy, the Vedas, Vedic Culture, Yoga, Hinduism, reincarnation, or life after death. It also deals with traveling to the holy places of India, the science of the soul, understanding God, vegetarianism, as well as global peace.

45. SULEKHA GROUPS

http://www.sulekha.com/groups/
the largest online discussion forums for Indians worldwide, featuring over 1.5 M posts and hundreds of groups.

46 SWAMINARAYANA (BAPS)

http://www.swaminarayan.org
Another superb very informative and vast website. You must visit it.

47. THE CHOPRA CENTER
http://www.chopra.com/siteindex.asp

"My country has been enriched by the contributions of more than a million Indian Americans, which includes Dr. Deepak Chopra, the pioneer of alternative medicine."
President William Clinton, March 21, 2000 – State Dinner - India

Deepak Chopra is one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century, and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
Time Magazine, June 1999.

"A renowned physician and author, Deepak Chopra is undoubtedly one of the most lucid and inspired philosophers of our time."
Mikhail Gorbachev, Citation of the Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Republic awarded by the Pio Manzu International Scientific Committee.

Acknowledged as one of the world's greatest leaders in the field of mind body medicine, Deepak Chopra, M.D. continues to transform our understanding of the meaning of health. Through his creation of The Chopra Center for Well Being in California in 1995, Dr. Chopra established a formal vehicle for the expansion of his healing approach using the integration of the best of western medicine with natural healing traditions.

48. URDAY

http://www.urday.com/

49 VEDANTAQUEST is dedicated to the Advaita Vedanta Philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya

http://www.vedantaquest.ind.in/

1. Introductory Advaita Vedanta Course: This is a short introductory course to Advaita Vedanta. It is aimed at introducing the aspirant to Vedanta terminology and explain the basic concepts of Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The course is of 7 days duration with 2 Hrs. session daily. Medium of instruction is English.

2. Advanced Advaita Vedanta Courses: These courses cover the three Prasthanas viz. the Bhagavad Geeta, the Brahmasutra and the Ten Upanishads along with the commentary of Adi Shankaracharya on these three. Each of the three Prasthanas is dealt with separately. The course on Bhagavad Geeta is of 15 days duration with 2 Hrs. session daily. The Brahmasutra and the Upanishads are taken up in 30 days courses each with
2 Hrs. session daily. The medium of instruction is English.

3. Short Sessions and Guest Lectures on Advaita Vedanta, in English, are also taken up on special requests.

4. Online Advaita Vedanta Courses for the aspirants.

50 VIVEKANANDA CENTRE LONDON http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/

Happy Diwali from Leicester

2007-11-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Glorious Hindu Art

2007-10-29T15:00:00.001-07:00

Diwali in Leicester

2007-10-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

Dussehra preparations in Leicester

2007-10-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

The making of Ravan.

Starting from the begining.

Making the Body

Fitting the Arms

Fitting the Head

Nearly There

All Done

Bhagvad Gita Chapter1 sloka 3

2007-10-11T23:55:00.000-07:00

pasyaitam panduputramacharya mahateem chamoom
vyuddham dhrupadaputrena tava sishyena dheemata--------------3.

“Behold, master, the mighty army of the sons of Pandu arrayed for battle by your talented pupil, Dhrstadyumna, son of Drupada.”------------------ 3

21]
The first words uttered by Duryodhana are in praise of the opposing
army but perhaps at the same time spoken with pride and arrogance.
Pride and arrogance in the sense that he thinks he has a better army.

There is also a hint of taunt "Look at the army of your former student"
and in comparison "Look at the army of your disciple standing next to you".

The taunt directed at his master Drona, as he even reminds him who Dhrstadyumna is. The son of Drupada, as if Drona did not know that already.

He is inflaming the rage of his master by reminding him of his enemy Drupada and also his assassin Dhrstadyumna.
Duryodhan is thus inciting his teacher and taking advantage of his predicament to make him fight to kill the Pandavs.

Do we sometimes use others in this way?
Does your wife constantly remind you of how she was treated by your family back when she first set foot in the house?
Does your children remind you of the time you didn’t let him do what he wanted?
Didn’t Draupadi kept inflaming the minds of the Pandavs for 13 years in the forest about her treatment in the gambling Hall?

Your hatred and resentment for someone is a powerful tool for others to use against you. Are you going to let them use that tool? Will you allow yourself be subject to that bribery? How are you going to deal with such situation? Become inflamed or keep your balance.

22]
Perhaps Duryodhana simply wanted his teacher to be proud of him.
"Look this is the end result of your student Dhristudymanya"
But "Look at the end result of MY achievements"!

If you achieve in getting your promotion at work or get your Doctors
Degree or make some other achievements, would you not want your
teacher or parents to be proud of you?
Would you just rather that no one praised you?
Don't you expect some praise? A congratulations card?

If Duryodhan is simply wanting praise, is it so wrong?

23]
Is this an ego?
Perhaps someone feeling proud of their achievement is different to
ahangkar or ego of `mine is better then yours'.
But since we know the characteristics of Duryodhan we can be more certain that he is trying to rile his teacher.

24]
The words in the Gita and actions of the characters in the Gita are
interpreted differently by everyone.
I don’t claim to be a specialist on this subject. I thus use the word `Perhaps'
quite often. I hope this enables others to correct me or give their own
interpretations on the sloka.

25]
Like father like son.
Duryodhan too say “…….the mighty army of the sons of Pandu.” He too has distanced himself from any relationship he held with his uncle.

Even if we can forgive Dhrithrastra for speaking as he did, since he was the elder of the two brothers and he doesn’t have to show respect, but how can we forgive Duryodhans ill manners? Pandu is older then him and he has no respect when speaking of his Uncle.

26]
One last thought. The lesson in the art of fighting is "Know your enemies. Know
their strength and know their weaknesses"

Perhaps in this final minutes Duryodhan is reinforcing to his
soldiers and to his Guru and to all soldiers listening; the weakness
of the opposing army and then telling of the strength of their army,
thus giving them a psychological boost.
In a war it is important to keep the moral of your soldiers very high.

Similarly in life keeping moral high and giving encouragement plays
a very important role in the lives of a commander, a leader, a
teacher, your boss, a Minister, a father to his son, a coach to his
trainer, a Prime Minister to his nation, a husband to his wife and
vice versa.
Without this encouragement Duryodhans army could easily loose faith
and be frightened of the equally mighty army facing them.

He reinforces the might of his army in sloka 10.

The lesson to take away here is ENCOURAGEMENT.
A little praise to the people you touch in your lives will go a long
way to their happiness and building good relationship.

Again we will see an excellent form of encouragement from Bhisma in
sloka 12.

Kiran Parmar
3~'

Join
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gita_dharshan/

SHRILA BHAKTI SWARUP MAHARAJ

2007-09-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

SHRILA BHAKTI SWARUP MAHARAJ

28 October 2007 to 3rd November 2007

Venue Sanatan Mandir

Time 7.30pm to 8.30pm everyday

SAT KAIVAL CIRCLE (UK)

2007-09-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

JAI MAADI

2007-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Param Pujya Jai Maadi is back in Leicester
on 30 September 2007.
A Horse & Carriage procession will take place at 1.30pm.
Starting at Nedham Street
Leicester.

see last years pictures on BBC website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/image_galleries/hindu_year_in_leicester_gallery.shtml?5

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/image_galleries/hindu_year_in_leicester_gallery.shtml?6

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/image_galleries/hindu_year_in_leicester_gallery.shtml?7

Ganesh Festival Leicester 2007

2007-09-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

GANESH UTSAV

15th September to 25 September 2007
Shree Wanza Community
Pasture Lane
Leicester
LE1 4EY

With
DAILY GANESH KATHA
and
Prasad

Sri Hanuman Katha 3

2007-09-17T00:40:00.001-07:00

Katha organised by Shree Swaminarayan Temple
Leicester (I.S.S.O)
139-141 Loughborough Road
Leicester
LE1 4EY
Phone: 0116 266 6210
Fax: 0116 266 6210
Email: leicester@isso.org.uk

at
Sanatan Mandir
Leicester

Watch the entire Katha on Aastha TV
http://www.aasthatv.com/

GANESH VISARJAN DAY

2007-09-15T02:35:00.001-07:00

Nartan A Festival of South Asian Dance and Music

2007-09-15T02:01:00.000-07:00

Sri Hanuman Katha 2

2007-09-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

More photos from Day 2 and 3.
13 and 14th September 2007
Sanatan Mandir
Leicester

Watch the entire Katha on Aastha TV http://www.aasthatv.com/

First Hanuman Katha in Leicester

2007-09-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Bhagvad Gita Chapter 1 Sloka 2

2007-09-09T04:01:00.000-07:00

Sanjaya Uvacha
drushtva tu pandavaneekam vyudam duryaodhanastada
acharyamupasangamya raja vachanamabraveet------------- 2.

“Sanjaya said: At that time, seeing the army of the Pandavas drawn up for battle and approaching Dronacharya, King Duryodhan spoke these words:” ---2

11]
After the first question we are taken to a point of time and place
that should be no surprise to anyone reading this. We go to the front
line of Duryodhana.
Why did Sanjay take him there?

12]
Sanjay is wise. Knowing the Kings desire he does not describe the
scenes of Krishna or Arjuna or Yudisthira (as much as he may want to)
but immediately takes him on the front line to Duryodhana.
Afterall it is his son to whom he had been attached to since the day he
was born.
Dhrithrastra had all these years been trying to fulfil the ambitions of his own lifetime through his son.
Is that ambition so wrong?
Before we judge the blind King too harshly perhaps those fathers
reading this will empathise with Dhrithrastra. Im sure one time or
another we have all tried to fulfil our own desires through our own
sons.
Not all fathers can be like King Bharata who put the good of the
nation before the good of his sons.
Not all sons can be like Bhisma who put his fathers happiness before
his own.

13]
"What did my sons do…..?".
Which father does not thirst of their sons News from any frontline
battles that is going on around the world today? So we should not
look upon too harshly at Dhrtirashtra.

Its not just a matter of the war.
A father thirst for News from a son who is on a business trip aboard,
a son on his first job, a son on his honeymoon, a son on his first
school trip out of the town, a son on his first driving test, a son
in his important exam, a son away at some university studying etc…..
What father would NOT be eager to know how his son is doing?

Understanding our own desires as fathers we can understand the desire
of Dhritrashtras thirst for knowledge and actions of his sons first.

Today the mobile phone has made our connection so much easier and
comfortable. Its so easy to forget the days without this facility.

14]
Just as we are blessed today by the invention of the radio (perhaps
listening to the imminent world cup cricket match result which we are
listening to in our cars as we journey home) Dhrithrastra too must
have felt blessed to know the commentaries from Sanjay of what is
happening on the battlefield.
Perhaps knowing the final result he might even have called it a curse.

15]
Sanjay was blessed by the Divine sight given by Ved Vyas.
Ved Vyas had offered it to Dhrithrastra but he had refused since he
had been blind all his life and how would he know who is who? Perhaps
he thought, what would be the point of seeing his sons only to see
them killed before his eyes.

16]
In the sloka it is written that ‘King Duryodhan’ approaches
Dronacharya.

Great respect is given to Duryodhan because here he is given the
status of a King.

17]
He does not go to his Commander in Chief of his huge army -the Great
BHISMA but instead he goes to his Guru.
There are a couple of thoughts that comes to mind.

Firstly we know that Bhisma was unable to kill the Pandavs and this
angered Duryodhan very much. Perhaps he thought there was no point in
talking to Bhisma about the war. Yet he also knew that he had to keep
Bhisma on his side because he was the most powerful man on that
battlefield and no warrior was capable of killing him.
Infact even Arjuna with all his might could only wound him
occasionally.
For 10 days Bhisma kept the Pandav army at bay.
Single handily he was winning the war.
It was only when the Pandavs decided to return his blessing of
Victory back to him did Bhisma show them the way of removing him from
the battlefield.
I use the word removing him --Not killing- because Bhisma had
the power to choose the time of his death.

So Duryodhana felt a little cheated here but there was nothing he
could do since Bhisma was also very popular throughout the land. And
because of his name and fame many Kings came to support Bhisma.
Duryodhana was able to gather such a huge army partly because of
Bhisma.
Without Bhisma he may have lost a lot of alliance.

The second thought that comes to mind is that perhaps it was his
sense of Duty to always to take blessings of his Guru first and all
else to take secondary precedence.

Or

Perhaps thirdly he just wants to please his teacher of his
achievement?
He perhaps wanted his teacher to be proud of his achievements. He
thought the war was already won because he had invincible warriors on his side.
The saying "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched" comes
to mind. Unfortunately this is exactly what Duryodhan was about to do.

These are just some of my interpretations of the event that is
unfolding before us.

18]
Just pausing to reflect on this thought.
We sometimes achieve something great in our life and we feel proud to
have achieved it. Do we not feel the urge to share it with others?
Is there anything wrong in that? Is then what Duryodhan was doing
wrong?

I think sharing your good news or fortune is not always a bad thing.
It just depends on how you go about celebrating it. Being boastful,
taunting or saying it with pride are the wrong ways to speak of your
achievements.

This then is another lesson we can learn from the Bhagvad Gita and
adopt it.

19]
Duryodhana had four people whom he could boast to about his army.
They were
1) His father,
2) Bhisma
3) Dronacahray and
4) Karna (his best friend).

Since Karna and his Father were not on the battle field he could not
tell them about his mighty army.
Bhisma he did not get along with, so he approaches his Guru.

If we were to come across such a situation in our lives who would we
go to first and why?
For example if we went to receive our graduation certificate at the
University. Who would you go and approach first with the graduation
certificate? Your parents, teachers or friends?

Perhaps Duryodhan is in this very same situation and he has chosen to
go to his Guru first. The Guru Disciple relationship is adhered to
even at times of war. Let us not forget Duryodhan was an intelligent
and generous man but unfortunately for him he fell into bad company
from birth, namely his mama Sakhuni.

20]
I want to expand on this situation which Duryodhan has put before us
from a different angle.
Hi ignores his commander and speaks to his Guru.

If someone did that to us, ie ignored us or told us some News lastly,
`How do we receive such NEWS?'

In Sloka 12 we infact see Bhisma is encouraging Duryodhana and is not
at all angry that Duryodhana did not approach him first.

Do we get upset if we are told some important news last? Perhaps a
wedding date of your neighbours children, invitation to a party told
last, promotion not told about, a new house someone bought but you dod not find out till many months later, some News you find out through gossip, etc etc

How do we receive certain News?
Was your ego playing up?
"You didn't tell us first. Are we not important to you?"
"You told us last when we should have been told first!"
"How is it that you told them first?"

The way receive the News is very important.
If we allow ourselves to get upset then I it will often results
in many unnecessary family arguments and ultimately break ups.

Kiran Parmar
3~'
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gita_dharshan/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hinduinfo/

Hindu Comics

2007-09-05T13:58:00.001-07:00

On the set of HEROES

2007-09-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Bhagvad Gita Chapter 1 Sloka 1

2007-09-05T03:11:00.000-07:00

Dhrutarashtra Uvacha
dharmakshetre kurukshetre samaveda yuyutsava:
mamaka pandavaschaiva kimakurvata sanjaya --------1

Dhrutarashtra said, "Sanjaya ! What did my people and the sons of Pandu, assembled with the desire of fighting in theDharmabhumi of Kurukshetra do ?" ------------------- 1

My personal thoughts on of the first sloka are....

1]
When people want to learn something they start with a question.
Likewise the Bhagavad-Gita starts with a very simple question.
"What did my sons do?"
It doesn't start with some great phrase or some grand explanation or some complex sentence or mantra.

2]
Who is asking this question?
It is a blind King.
We were all blind when we were in search for the Truth.
We have all asked questions to help us see the Truth.

3]
Who does he ask?
The popular phrase `a blind cannot lead the blind' comes to mind.
He is asking Sanjay who is about dispel his darkness by explaining the events as they progress. But who is Sanjay? A mere charioteer? NO.
At this moment in time he is more then just a charioteer.
He is the most enlightened soul on this planet.
He has been given the Divine sight of Past Present and Future.
The Knowledge supreme!
To hear from the mouth of one such as this we are all blessed today.

4]
This may lead to some questions many will want to ask.
Whom should we approach today when want to learn about God?
How can we approach the right person to answer the questions ourheart desires to know?
Who is the right Guru?
Who is the right teacher for us?
Swami Vivekanada and Swami Narayana both had the same problem and after searching long and hard they found a Guru who could answer their questions.

It is not my job to answer this question for anyone.
Every soul reading this has to make this search by himself.
Today many Hindus are seeking Knowledge.
Learning through the internet like this or going to some satsang or reading a book by some good philosopher or some other means.
Whatever, way you choose, I guess the important thing is that you try and attempt to understand this vast ocean of Great Knowledge that is our inheritance.
We are so blessed that this Knowledge has come to us. It would be so sad if we did not attempt to read it and understand it.

5]
How should we receive this Knowledge?
Do we just sit and accept it blindly or try and analyse, discussand question it?
As you will read later in the Bhagvada Gita it is better to analyse and question the answers to get a proper understanding then to just sit here blindly accepting whatever you are told.
A proper understanding in my opinion is one where you are satisfied with the answer and when the cloud of doubt has been cleared from your own mind.
Each of us will have different understanding of what we are taught but what is important is that we are happy with the end result.

6]
What should be the end result?
A result that makes us do Good Karma. I guess it's a simple as that.

7]
King Dhrithrastra is asking the question. "What did my sons do…..".
Only then he continues "…..and what did the sons of Pandu do?"
Does Dhrithrastra speak of the Pandava brothers as someone foreign tohim?
He calls them the sons of Pandu and not `my Nephews do'?
He does not even bother to say `….my brother Pandus sons do'.
Perhaps the war is imminent and he must choose the side he is on.
Perhaps he says this because he is asking as a King and not as a relative to both parties.
Perhaps he is just a concerned father.
Perhaps he thinks an enemy is an enemy even if that enemy is relatedto him.
Perhaps it is because there is great anger within him that does not allow him to recognise his cousins.

Consider our own lives. When we get into conflict or arguments we exchange bitter words with our relatives or friends or even wives; brothers and sisters or neighbours even.
How much are we concerned that they were once very close to us?
How much hatred and anger boils up?
Anger and hate blinds us to the fact that those we hate right now, were once very dear to us.
We forget all this and only remember the bad part of their lives and how much bad they have done to us and how much hurt they have caused you at this moment in time.

What happens after the heat of the moment?
In our hate and anger we, may swear back or lash out or by way of other means.
Once this awful deed is done we no longer feel those hate and anger.
We sometimes feel sad, sorrow some may even feel relief if the hate is strong.
It is a temporary emotional outburst.
Some take longer to get over the anger-- days, months or even years.
But once the anger and hate is gone and we think back as to what it was all about and what the purpose was, of all that fighting and say `What did I achieve with all that hate and anger?.'
We may feel remorse, guilt and disappointment to the point of crying about it.
We find that Dhritrastra too is building up with hate and anger. So much so that when Bhima comes before him after the great war, Krishnaplaces a stone image in front of the blind king knowing how much anger is built up in the King.
Dhrithrastra does not even realise that he is embracing a stone and squeezes it till it is crushed into many pieces!

How should we deal with anger?
We are all enlightened souls now and with the Knowledge of the Gita --perhaps when someone makes us angry or upsets us, hopefully we will be in a betterposition to control that hate and anger.

Don’t crush your lives, family, hopes and dreams by a moment of insanity.
If we can remember that this anger, this hate is only temporary,
if we can remember the love and affection, then perhaps we might not be so angry or spiteful to our loved ones or close friends when such a disagreement does occur.
This is a good lesson of the Bhagvad Gita to take, to practice and to adopt in our lives.

8]
God spoke to Arjuna but it is Sanjay who is telling us the dialogue.
In the history of Bharata we have been lucky enough to receive countless Gurus Saints Teachers, Wise men, Mahatmas etc who have hallowed our land and who have in their own respective ways spread the wisdom of God through their Divine insight.
A few saints are listed below.

9]
Today those who are reading this let us pray to each and everyone of these Godmen.
Let us remember all the Gurus big and small for their selfless action, wisdom and service to Sanatana Dharma.

Pranam

Adi Shankracharya (788-820)
Aghoreshwar
Bhagwan Ramji b.1937
Akka Mahadevi
Amar Jyoti
Anand mayee Amma b.1896
Anandmurti Gurumaa
Annada Thakur
Appayya Dikshidar
SWAMI ATMANANDA.
Aurobindo.Baba Lokenath (1730-1890) Bengali Mystic.
Bhadrachala Ramadas.
Bhaskara Raya 1690-1785.Bodhendra Saraswati 17th century.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 18th of February 1484-1527.
Chandidasa 14th century.
Chinmayananda.Chanakya.
Dada Bhagwan aka Shri Ambalal Muljibhai Patel.
Dr Niruben Amin.Dadu Dayal.
Dariya Saheb.Dayanand Saraswati.
Eknath 1533-1599.
Franklin Merrell-Wolff.
Gautam Buddha.
Gopi Krishna.
Gorakhnath.
Guru Nanak 1469-1538.
Gurudev Jangalidas Maharaj [Vishwatmak Gurudev].
Haridas.
Indira Devi.
J.Krishnamurthy.
Jadunath Sinha was born in 1892.
Jaggi Vasudev.
Jayadeva 12th century.
Jnaneshwar 1275-1298.
Kabir 1398-1518.
Krishnamacharya b 1888.
Madhwacharya 1199-1278.
MahaMahopadhyaya Pt Gopinath Kaviraj ji.
Maharish Mahesh yogi b.1917.
Maharishi Vedvyasa.
Mahavir.Manav Dharma Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj.
Meherbaba.Mira Bai 1498-1547.
Morari Bapu.
Muktananda (1908 - 1982).
Muthuswami Dikshidar 1775-1835.
Nadamuni (825-918).
Namadeva 1270-1350.
Narayana Bhattadri.
Nardanand b.1958.
Narsi Mehta 1414-1481.
Neem Karoli Baba Maharajji.
Nityananda b. about 1896.
Nityananda (d. 1961).
Osho Rajneesh.
Pandurang Shastri Athavale b. Oct. 19, 1920 –2003.
Paramsant Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahai Ji.
Parmahansa Yogananda.
Patanjali.
Panini.
Paul Twitchell.
Pillai Lokacharya 1264-1327.
Prahlad Chandra Brahmachari [b. between 1900 and 1910?].
Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya.
Pujya Asaram Ji Bapu.
Purandara Dasa 1480-1564.
Raidas or Ravidas 15th century.
Rama of the Himalayas.
Rama Tirtha.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa 1836-1886.
Ramakrishna Parmahamsa 1836-.
Ramana Maharshi 1879-1950.
Ramananda 1299-1410.
Ramanujacharya.
Ramaprasad 1718-1775.
Ramdev Ji Maharaj.
Ramesh Balsekar.
Rameshbhai Oza.
Rawatpura Sarkar.
Sadasiva Brahmendra.
Sadhu Vaswani.
Sai Baba.
Samarth Ramdas 1608-1682.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
Sathya Sai Maharaj.
Shivom Tirth was born in 1924.
Shri Shri Ravi Shankar.
Shriram Sharma Acharya B 1911.
Shyama Sastri 1762-1827.
Sri Sri Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar.
Sridhar Swami Maharaj.
Srila Prabhupada September 1st, 1896 --- 14 November 1977.
Surdas 1478-1581.
Swami Radha B. 1911.
Swami Narayan 1781-1830.
Swami Satchidananda.
Swami Tapovan Maharaj of Uttarkasi.
Talapaka Annamacharya 15th century.
Ten Gurus of Sikhism.
Thayumanavar 1705-1742.
The Twelve Alwars.
Thiru Muruga Kirupanandha Variyar, Variyar Swamigal.
Thyagaraja Swami 1759-1547.
Tukaram 1598-1650.
Tulsidas 1497-1623.
Dada Vasvani.
Vallabhacharya 1473-1531.
Vamaksepa b.1837 - Bengali saint.
Vedanta Desikacharya 1269-1369.
Swami Venkatesananda.
Vidyapati 1350-1450.
Vidyaranya 14th century.
Vinoba Bhave September 11, 1895.
VISHUDDHANANDA PARAMHAMSA.
Vivekananda.
Walt Baptiste.
Yamunacharya.
Yogeshwar.
Zarathustra.
The Sixty-three Saiva Saints (Nayanmars).

10]
I have not commented on the words used by Dhrthrastra with regards to the battlefield being sacred.
Please leave your thoughts on this meaning.

Kiran Parmar
3~'
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hinduinfo/

Discuss this sloka on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gita_dharshan/

Janmastmi in Leicester 4 September 2007

2007-08-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

Come and Join us.
Shree Wanza Community Centre
Pasture Lane
Leicester
4.00pm till Late (Midnight)

A Tribute to Shambo

2007-07-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes events happen and we get attached by them.
We don’t know why and don’t know how, but they do.

For example
Many children are kidnapped all over the world but occasionally only one touches our lives like Madeline Mcann and we do our best to find her.
http://madeleinemccann.blogspot.com/
Many animals are killed for food and we may not be able to save them all but occasionally one life like Sambo touches our lives and we did our best to save him.

This is Human Nature and not at all to do with religion.

Rath Yatra Leicester 2007

2007-07-26T12:13:00.001-07:00

BHAGVAD GITA DISCUSION

2007-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

If you would like to learn or discuss the Bhagvad Gita then please log into

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gita_dharshan/

RathaYatra 2007

2007-07-08T23:46:00.001-07:00

http://www.rathayatra.co.uk/
Why not come and see this spectacular sight and also visit the INDIA NOW festivities. LONDON Sunday 29th July 2007 See flyer for details.

INDIA NOW
15th July - 30th September 2007

http://www.visitlondon.com/whats_on/india/index.html

Hindu Version of ‘Deal or no Deal’ TV Game

2007-07-05T23:27:00.001-07:00

What happens when a Hindu appears on DEAL OR NO DEAL,
[One of Channel Fours most popular Game show]
Well if its woman she would wear a saree.
Do a tilak on the foreheads of all the contestants.
Place a tilak on the host Noel Edmonds.
Bring with her photos of Goddess Laxmi and Ganesh.
Make an announcement in Hindi.
And start with the lucky number 13!

Well that’s exactly what Usha Solanki from Sussex did when she appeared on the very popular tea time programme on Channel Four.
Usha Solanki an elderly lady with her husband appeared on the Games show on 5 July 2007 wearing a lovely pink saree. She put a tilak on all the contestants as a mark of good luck. A very excited and kind Usha played the game with good humour. Just before each break, she would announce in Hindi to make your self a cup of tea and come back in 5 minutes.
She started off with a bang by loosing the major prize of £250.000.
But as the game progressed she managed to walk away with a grand total of £7,500 in prize money.

Leicester in Bloom my photos on BBC website

2007-07-05T23:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/image_galleries/leicester_in_bloom_2007_gallery.shtml

BBC Leicester website have kindly added some of my photos to their website once more.
Please take a look on the above link. There are 10 in total.

Why doesn’t God stop wars?

2007-06-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

The following is the script from the Mahabharata TV serial.
Vidhur was feeling helpless at the inevitable war between the Kauravas and the Pandavs.

Krishna said “Don’t be so sad Vidhur. You don’t have the power to stop whats going to happen.”

Vidhur replied “But you have the power O Krishna.”

Krishna then tells him,
“I too am powerless to stop what is happening.
I have no control of the Karma of men.
I can try to reason with them and that Ive done.
But they have shut their ears to my reasoning.
When I try to show them the true path they shut their eyes.
All you can do is stand by and watch the events as they occur.
You cannot change destiny.

In fact to tell the truth, Duryodhana isn’t responsible for this.
Its Dhritharastra and no one else. He is the root cause of it all.
Duryodhana is merely an offshoot of that root.

Vidhur says “My Hastinapur isn’t the fruit of the kings labour.”

Krishna said “It is O Mahatma Vidhur. Hastinapur did not stop Shakuni from cheating in the game of dice, nor stop Dushasana's hand from disrobing Draupadi, or stop Karnas tongue while he called Draupadi a whore. Therefore it too is a party to the misfortunes of the Kauravas.

God has shown the way to peace through many scriptures in different languages and different ways in different kingdoms. If we turn a blind eye to this then how can we hold God responsible for all the wars and trouble in this world. God says he has no control over men’s Karma. He can only show them and guide them.
Why is the entire country held responsible to the action of one man (Prime Minister of the country --The Dhrithrastras of the country)? Where injustice is allowed to carry on and you do not speak up against these injustice then the country too is responsible for the eventual downfall.

INDIA NOW a 3 month Festival celebrating Indian culture

2007-06-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

INDIA NOW is a 3 month Festival celebrating Indian culture in London
15th July - 30th September 2007

http://www.visitlondon.com/whats_on/india/index.html

Over the Summer of 2007, London will host India Now, a three-month season centring on London's interaction with India's rapidly growing economy and exploring India's culture.

It will take in events, activities and festivals across the capital dedicated to Indian art, film, food, theatre, music and fashion.

India Now will feature several key events, one of which will be a three-week Indian-themed Trafalgar Square Festival commencing on the Thursday 2 August. The famous square in the centre of London will see spectacular Indian and Indian-related outdoor events. Then on Sunday 2 September Regent Street - one of London's premiere shopping streets will be transformed into an Indian streetscape complete with music, spectacular sculptures, food and artisans.

Over 150 of London's cultural organisations and attractions will participate in the "India Now" season which will showcase India's contribution to world culture, its rich tradition and most importantly raise awareness and celebrate new Indian trends across art, film, theatre, food, music and fashion. Both invited Indian artists and London-based artists will be involved in the events.

Below information taken from
http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/events/1661

Later this year the Mayor will be visiting both Delhi and Mumbai with a delegation of representatives from London businesses, with plans to open Mayoral offices in both cities.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said the season was part of his programme for extending business and cultural links between the capital and India in 2007."India is not only one of the world's most important and rapidly growing economies, an emerging economic superpower, but it also has one of the world's most important cultures. In 2007, we are aiming to strengthen London's relations with India, building on the significant contribution that the Indian community - the largest minority national group in London - already makes to the economic, cultural and social success of the capital."He added: "With the arrival of more Indian companies, India's cultural impact on London is going to increase further. India Now will be an opportunity to experience the richness of Indian culture and will underline the relationship London has with India."

In partnership with Time Out magazine, the Mayor's office is also a producing a guide for India Now which will include listings of all the season's activity. The guide will be included with the magazine in early July.

A fashion show in will take place in September at the V&A Museum called 'Fashion in Motion'.
London Mela in Gunnersbury Park

An exhibition at the British Museum celebrating 60 years of Indian independence

A showcase at Brunei Gallery of the exhibition: From Soho Road to the Punjab - 50 years of Bhangra Music, culture and style.

The ICA will hold 'Futureworld City: Mumbai Club Night' at the central London venue in August.

The annual BBC Proms have a segment dedicated to celebrating Indian music.

Cultural institutions and organisations participating in India Now include
The National Film Theatre,
V&A Museum,
The South Bank
Barbican centres,
Watermans,
Thames Festival,
The Institute of Contemporary Arts and Akademi.
BBC Asian Network and Zee Television will be key media partners for the three-month festival.

Finally Lets not forget the spectacular Rathayatra 2007 taking place on 29 July at Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park Corner.

More details on that later.
Book your holidays Now.

Gandhi braving the mighty Atlantic

2007-06-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Bhavik Gandhi became the first person to row across theAtlantic Ocean unassisted after a 106-day journey.

Bhavik Gandhi began his attempt at becoming the first Indian and first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean on 28th February, 2007 at 1155 hrs GMT.

He set out from La Restinga in the Canary Islands to Antigua onhis boat 'Miss Olive', covering close to 3000 nautical miles in theprocess. The rower reached Jabberwock Beach,

Antigua after a 106-day voyage.

During his journey, his boat capsized 200 kms from the destinationbut he managed to steer the boat by rowing with a spare oar.

In the process, he also became the first Asian to complete an oceanrowing expedition solo and unassisted.

Born in Mumbai but now a Sweden resident, Gandhi's record will becertified by the Ocean Rowing Society.

Article taken from

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bhavik-gandhi-rows-acorss-atlantic/42975-3.html

Bhavik Gandhi's Profile

http://www.ibnlive.com/features/bhavik/bhavik_profile.php

UN declares Gandhi’s Birthday as Day of Non-Violence

2007-06-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Report taken from
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jun/14un.htm

The UN will observe Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence every year, it said in a statement yesterday.The UN called upon all member nations and individuals to commemorate October 2 in “an appropriate manner and to disseminate the message of non-violence.”

The resolution was introduced by India.

“I am extremely happy that the United Nations will henceforth observe Gandhi Jayanti, October 2 as International Day of Non-Violence each year, following a unanimous decision by the General Assembly of the United Nations yesterday,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

“This is a tribute by the world community to the Father of our Nation,” the prime minister said.
“The universal relevance of Gandhiji’s message of non-violence is more important today than ever before since nations across the world continue to grapple with the threat of conflict, violence and terrorism,” he said.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/17/1934/

The comments section gives interesting historical background to how this day came about.
By Akshay Bakaya
The idea of Ahimsa Day, International Day of Non-Violence is originally an initiative of an English class of mainly Japanese and Korean children in Paris, working on Attenborough's film 'Gandhi'. This proposal was supported by Romila Thapar, Asma Jahangir, Noam Chomsky, K.R. Narayan, Krishna Kumar, Immanuel Wallerstein, etc. and taken to the 2004 Bombay WSF by peace Nobel, Shirin Ebadi. Krishna Kumar (now director NCERT) had predicted that this call will take 3 years to be heard...Hard News, the Indian associate of the international French monthly Le Monde Diplomatique, played a role too. Sanjay Kapoor discussed it with Mohsina Kidwai who took it to Sonia Gandhi just before the Satyagraha convention where archbishob Desmond Tutu formally proposed that a Call for an ahimsa day be sent to the UN.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jun/14un.htm

MORE
http://www.petitiononline.com/idnv0123/petition.html
http://www.ahimsaonline.org/faq.html

Gayatri Jayanti Maha Yagna

2007-06-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

DATE:- Sunday 24 June 2007
TIME:- From 11am onwards
VENUE:-
Shri Ram Mandir
8 Walford Road
Sparkbrook
Birmingham
West Midlands
B11 1NR

ALL ARE WELCOME
Participation in Yagna is FREE OF CHARGE

Mahaprasad will be served after the Maha Yagna

For Further information about transport contact
from Leicester 0116 266 9902

For More info
Shri Surendrabhai Bhatt 01922 611433
Shri Sureshchandra Joshi 01922 448059

email admin@gayatripariwar.org.uk

Shree Vedmata Gayatri Pariwar UK
Gayatri Chetna Kendra
(The Centre for Gayatri Conciousness)
16 Rendell Road
Leicester
LE4 6LE

www.dsvv.org
www.awgp.org