chambakoolam-moolam-boat-race-in-kerala-a-perfect-example-of-communal-harmony

Chambakoolam Moolam boat race in Kerala - A perfect example of communal harmony

Kerala, July 22 (ANI): Alleppey situated in India___s southern state of Kerala is a hub of boat races which go in the area throughout the year on different occasions. And Chambakoolam Moolam boat race marks the beginning of yearly snake boat race. The 400-year-old boat race draws its success to the efforts put by people of different religious faiths. People in large numbers, shunning religious differences, gather to make this annual boat race a success. While the snake boat race proves a highly volatized contest between the participants, spectators sing and shout to make it more exciting. The legend is that the Raja of Chempakasseri, a Hindu ruler, declared that a great water carnival would be held at Champakulam every year, after being impressed by the love and affection from Christian subjects in facilitating idol of Lord Krishna. Jul 22, 2014
assam-students-union-protest-infiltration-of-bangladeshis-in-state

Assam Students Union protest infiltration of Bangladeshis in state

Guwahati, July 22 (ANI): Various activist groups, including tribal organisations and All Assam Students Union (AASU) staged a protest in Assam against the state government for its inability to stop Bangladeshis infiltrate into the state. The proposal sent by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi___s cabinet to the central government to accommodate Bangladeshis on humanity grounds has not been welcomed by the people of the state. Last week, the state cabinet passed a proposal to grant Indian citizenship to refugees who fled Bangladesh to avoid religious persecution and entered the country after 1971. However, on earlier occasions, Assam government has fought ruling BJP___s ideology to consider Hindu Bangladeshis as refugees coming to India under hard conditions. Jul 22, 2014
hindus-mark-second-shravan-monday-with-special-prayers-and-offerings

Hindus mark second Shravan Monday with special prayers and offerings

Varanasi, July 21 (ANI): Carrying assortment of religious offerings, devout Hindus thronged lord Shiva temples in north India to offer special prayers, as they marked the auspicious second Monday of month long 'Shravan' festival. The devotees on Monday gathered in large numbers to offer milk, curd, ghee, honey and holy water to Lord Shiva in wee hours of morning. Long queues of people waiting with assortment of religious offerings like joss sticks, red vermilion and flowers were seen outside the temples. The saffron-clad devotees of Lord Shiva known as Kanwaria take their foot journey to the Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Jul 21, 2014
abvp-protests-outside-bangalore-school-over-6-year-old-girls-rape

ABVP protests outside Bangalore School over 6-year old girl___s rape

Bangalore, July 21 (ANI): BJP___s youth wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), staged a protest outside the Vibgyor School in Bangalore where a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by the school staff. The protesters broke the barricades and a scuffle between the protesters and police officials ensued. Meanwhile, Police also baton charged the protestors. On Sunday, police arrested a skating instructor in the case and will present the accused before the court. Bangalore Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar had announced the arrest of Mustaffa after interrogation of eight persons, who have been detained for questioning. Jul 21, 2014
tripura-keeps-age-old-traditional-festival-alive

Tripura keeps age-old traditional festival alive

Agartala, July 20 (ANI): People in Tripura celebrated centuries-old tribal custom, ‘Ker Puja’, with gaiety and fervour in Agartala. Men beat drums and performed acts with bamboo sticks to mark the traditional custom. ‘Ker’ is considered the guardian deity of a Hindu god and celebration continues within the premises of royal palace. As per old beliefs, the Ker Puja is held to safeguard the interests of people from any natural calamity, diseases and destitution and to save people from any external aggression. Jul 20, 2014
hindu-priests-apex-body-terms-shankaracharya-swaroopanands-anti-saint-remark-as-baseless

Hindu priests' apex body terms Shankaracharya Swaroopanand's anti-Saint remark as baseless

Shirdi, July 19 (ANI): A delegation of Hindu priests' apex body after visiting the revered Saint Sai Baba temple at Shirdi termed the recent controversial remark made by top Indian seer Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati as baseless. Condemning Swaroopanand's remark, the delegation said they monitored all the Hindu rituals being performed in the Sai Baba's temple very closely and did not find anything anti-ancient Hindu tradition. Taking a dig at Swami Swaroopanand, Swami Acharya Pramod Krishnam, one of the senior Hindu priests said the traditional rituals and routine followed by the temple do not violate norms of ancient Hindu customs. Jul 19, 2014
uttarakhand-witnesses-flood-like-situation-due-to-incessant-rains

Uttarakhand witnesses flood like situation due to incessant rains

Uttarakhand, July 19 (ANI): Incessant rainfall in Uttarakhand flooded roads on Saturday and interrupted Hindu pilgrimage of Badrinath. Weather office has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in the state for next three days, while the official machinery has been put on high alert. The state has been receiving intermittent rains since monsoon has hit the region. Meanwhile, director of disaster management in Uttarakhand, Piyush Rautela, said devotees were stuck at various places but necessary arrangements were made for them. Jul 19, 2014
sabyasachi-panda-sent-to-ten-days-of-police-custody

Sabyasachi Panda sent to ten days of police custody

Bhubaneswar, July 19 (ANI): Court has sent India___s top Maoist leader, Sabyasachi Panda to ten days of police custody after his arrest in Odisha. Panda was produced in front of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) of Berhampur amid tight security on Friday evening where he was ordered to be sent on 10-day police custody. Acting on intelligence information, a police team nabbed the 48-year-old fugitive rebel leader after raiding a hideout at Berhampur in Odisha_s Ganjam district. Police recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from his possession. DIG of Police (Southern Range) Amitabh Thakur termed the arrest of top rebel leader as a major blow to the Maoist outfit. Police informed that Panda is accused of several heinous crimes, including the murder of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, in 2008 and abduction of two Italians in 2012. Jul 19, 2014