Headlines Sampler

Talk of the Town: Here’s what Indians are talking about/reading/debating:

OUTSOURCING THE WAR
There is debate whether India should heed Bush’s call to send troops to Iraq. The majority of people I talked to are against it. They see it as an “outsourcing of war” by the U.S.

SACRED OR BARBARIAN?
Should animal sacrifice in temples be banned? Ritualistic slaughter of goats and other animals has been practiced for generations and still happens routinely in front of Hindu temples. The legality of a law prohibiting such sacrifices (The Tamil Nadu Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act) is being challenged, and has been stirring up controversy, with both sides presenting heated arguments.

Pro: “Banning animal sacrifice is a violation of the human rights of poor people. Propagation of one’s religion is a fundamental right under our constitution. Animal sacrifice can be banned only if a majority of people stopped eating non-vegetarian food.”

Con: “The matter has to be put in a broader, more humane perspective transcending ritualistic religion or sacred scriptures….Sacrifices are not essential or inevitable for survival.”

EVE-TEASING
This euphemism for sexual harassment of women caught my eye in last week’s newspaper. Apparently it’s a frequent practice during crowded festivals, or on crowded public transport systems, for men to poke, prod, pinch, grab at any body part, and otherwise physically harass women. (Those of you who watched The Amazing Race saw it happen with the two women who were traveling in a crowded train).

FARMER SUICIDES
Driven by economic conditions, debt, and foreclosures, hundreds of farmers have been committing suicide by hanging or ingesting poisons.

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Note to Trina: Yes, I’m told the cows do belong to someone, and they do come home each night. And yes it’s not uncommon to see animal poop in the streets. But somehow it seems less offensive than the dog shit that gets deposited on my lawn every day at my home in Rochester!

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This one’s for you, Margaret/Saraswati – I saw this beautiful, huge statue of Saraswati (at left) in an arts & crafts store. It would look nice in your yoga studio, if I had a way of lugging it back!

Saraswati

About Saraswati:

She is the goddess of learning/education/wisdom. The literal meaning of the name is “the flowing one." She is the personification of all knowledge – arts, sciences, crafts, skills. She holds in her hands a lute, a rosary, and a book. Those who worshipped her were blessed with the light of knowledge that drove away the demons of ignorance and unhappiness.

"Brahma created the universe with the help of Saraswati. Vishnu was the guardian of the cosmos. He too needed Saraswati’s support to sustain the cosmos. Using her knowledge, he instituted and maintained dharma, sacred laws that ensure stability and growth in society. Vishnu also needed the help of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, who gave him the wherewithal to ensure cosmic order. The question arose: who did Vishnu need more? Lakshmi or Saraswati? Wealth or knowledge? The goddesses argued. “Knowledge does not fill an empty stomach,” said Lakshmi. “Wealth keeps man alive but gives no meaning to life.” said Saraswati. I need both knowledge and wealth to sustain the cosmos."

Comments

[Dee]

I was just catching up on the blog after several days during which I was unable to take the time. I like the salwars. I especially like the red and green one on you. Is that a fresh coat of enamel on your toes??? Did you have this "Polish change" here before you left? Or did you have it there?--And did you do your own change? Or do they have Polish Change service in the hotel?

[saraswati]

seeing her makes me cry. Today is the first day (here) of Navaratri and for the first 9 days of this celebration you honor Saraswati. Yes she would love yoginis, (they do ship you know!) Is that marble? and that ongoing debate between Saraswati and Laxshmi continues to be an issue in my life! Really I need a Laxshmi at yoginis cause I have plenty of Saraswati there! thanks