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It happens: Buddhist monks performs special prayers for world peace

Bodhgaya, Oct 17 (ANI): Buddhist monks of Lao People's Democratic Republic on Wednesday performed special prayers in holy town of Bodhgaya for world peace and tranquillity. Envoy of People's Democratic Republic, Southam Sakonninhom, participated in the prayers and after inaugurating the new building of Lao Buddhist monastery. Lao envoy expressed happiness after performing the prayers and hailed the country's tradition. Buddhists believe that the Buddha, "the awakened", to the laws of the universe, which are said to be operating eternally. Buddhist scriptures describe Bodh Gaya as the "Navel of the Earth", where pilgrims and tourists from Sri Lanka, China, Japan and the entire of southeastern Asia throng to this holiest of Buddhist shrines every year. The Mahabodhi Temple complex is located in this town; it is the place where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. Oct 17, 2014
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Pranab Mukherjee hopes for strengthened ties with Norway on his three-day visit

Oslo, Oct 14 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee said that India is keen to expand scope of relationship with Norway. He was invited by King Harald Vth and Queen Sonja, at a gala dinner at the Royal Palace at Oslo after he was given a ceremonial guard of honour earlier in the day. Mukherjee arrived in Norway's capital Oslo on Sunday and was received by Mayor Harald Espelund of Ullensaker. He is the first ever Indian head of state to visit Norway who is expected to reach an agreement on nuclear safety measures and other fields like education, trade and earth science. He also invited investors and entrepreneurs to invest in India. Meanwhile, King Harald Vth congratulated India's children rights crusader Kailash Satyarthi for winning the Nobel Peace Prize along with Pakistan's teenage education activist, Malala Yousafzai. Mukherjee is on a three-day visit to Norway and the main focus of his three-day visit is to attract investment in infrastructure and other areas. Mukherjee will be crossing the Arctic Circle and visit the village of Santa Claus. Oct 14, 2014
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It happens: Lunar eclipse holy dip

Varanasi/Hyderabad, Oct 10 (ANI): Hundreds of Hindu devotees in the temple town of Varanasi took a holy dip in river Ganges on the occasion of the lunar eclipse on October 08 to cleanse their souls and achieve salvation. According to belief, bathing in the holy water on the occasion of the eclipse helps in washing away of the sins of the people. As per Hindu tradition, an eclipse occurs because a demon named Rahu occasionally gobbles up the sun or the moon before letting them off after a certain period. This period is considered very ominous by devout Hindus and prayers and chants are performed by them and then once the eclipse is over, they bathe or take a holy dip in sacred rivers, like the Ganges. The event was a stunning one as the moon appeared copper to deep red. This was due to the rays of the Sun, refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. People in India's eastern Kolkata, too, got a chance to get a glimpse of the spectacular celestial event. Star lovers in North America, Australia, western South America and parts of eastern Asia were able to see the spectacle. Oct 10, 2014
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India's oldest unmarried woman aims for Guinness World Record

Thrissur, Oct 10 (ANI): Age does not deter Kunjannam of Kerala from aiming high. At 111, she is helping her family members browse through the photographs and certificates that will assist establish her exact age so that she finds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest surviving unmarried woman on earth. A resident of Thrissur district of Kerala, Kunjannam's name and age is recorded in the church where she was baptized. The baptism records show her date of birth as May 05, 1903, which is issued by Rosary Church at Eranellur village, established in 1861. Oct 10, 2014