Baloch and Sindhi in UK demand liberation of Balochistan

By Nazir S.Bhatti (PCP)
Thursday, March 31, 2011

(Photo : Baloch and Sindhis protestors in front of US embassy in London, UK)

London : The Baloch and Sindhis gathered in front of US embassy in London yesterday to demand the intervention in Balochistan from the international community. The demonstration was organized by the Baloch Human Rights Council (UK), the World Sindhi Congress and Balochistan Liberation Organisation in collaboration with Baloch Raaje Zroumbesh, Balochistan Peoples Party, Balochistan United Front Federal and International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons.

A large number of the Baloch, Sindhis and other human rights activists took part to register their protest against the illegal & forcible annexation of Balochistan by Pakistan 63 years back. Speakers highlighted the plight of the Baloch people since the occupation drawing attention to the brutal violations of human rights of the Baloch by the Pakistani military establishment. They demanded immediate intervention from the US, UN and NATO in order to end the systematic genocide against the Baloch being committed by the Pakistani State establishment.

Demonstrators demanded the establishment of an international commission to investigate the crimes against humanity being committed in Balochistan by the Pakistani security agencies and its death squads.

Speakers included Waja Rahim Bandvoi, Mir Ghulam Hussain, WajaAbdullah Seyahoi, Mansoor Baloch, Hasan Hamdam, Dr. Abdul Doshoki ,Dr. Lakhu Luhana , Even Mcmillan and Samad Baloch.

Christian Church transformed into Ganapathy Hindu temple in Scotland, United Kingdom

Monday, January 10, 2011

UK : Former Wardlawhill Church in Rutherglen (Scotland, United Kingdom) is reportedly Sri Sundara Ganapathy Temple now.

Before the Temple organizers purchased it, Wardlawhill Church was affiliated to Church of Scotland, majority church in Scotland, whose aim is "to worship God by following the teachings of Jesus Christ". It was then renovated and refurbished into a Hindu temple.

According to reports, on the opening day, following the Milk Abhishegam ritual for Lord Ganapathy, the deity was carried in a decorated palanquin on shoulders of several young men in a procession from the City Centre to the Temple hall through the Main Street with police escort, which included chanting and music. A Hindu priest from London conducted the opening ceremony, which included various ancient rituals, prayers, bhajans to the accompaniment of drums and manjeeras, lamps lighting, etc. An auction of sarees was held for temple development fund.

Besides two area councilors, Consulate General of India, and others; Ian Duncan of the Church of Scotland and his wife Jean, who were married in the Church (which has been converted to the temple now), also attended the inaugural ceremony. Besides Hindus, many non-Hindus have also visited the temple.
Meanwhile, well known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Glasgow area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple and cultural center.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Ganapathy Temple; whose aim is to "promote the ideals of Hinduism" and which is part of the South Indian Cultural Centre; reportedly plans to serve the religious, spiritual, cultural and social needs of the community. Besides prayers, sermons, lectures by spiritual leaders, naming ceremonies, mundan, weddings, festivals, car poojas, etc.; it also plans to host Indian language-art-dance-music-yoga-spirituality instruction, marriage counseling and matrimonial services, community gatherings, elderly socialization, etc. It is a member of Scottish Interfaith Council and Dr. N. V. Doraiswamy is the President, reports suggest.

Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, which means "the red valley" in Gaelic, received the status of Royal Burgh in 1126. Notable people associated with Rutherglen include novelist Alistair MacLean (The Guns of Navarone), comic actor Stan Laurel (Laurel and Hardy), comedian/actor Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter films), Australian cricketer Archie Jackson, etc.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. In Hinduism, Lord Ganapathy (Ganesh) is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.

Meet the UK Hindu Academy

source: hinduacademy
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

LONDON, U.K. : In the United Kingdom students can study Hinduism in schools and gain accreditation that can help them apply for places at top universities. 16 to 18-year-olds can sit for Advanced level examinations in Hinduism. The results count in their favor when they apply for university places.

Each year the Hindu Academy trains perhaps the largest number of candidates sitting for these Hinduism examinations. The advanced level specifications require study of Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Kathopanishad and part of the Bhagavad Gita. Candidates are also required to look at the contemporary figureheads of Hinduism like Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda and their impact on the evolving face of Hinduism.

Black Country Temple Ceremony In UK

Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

UNITED KINGDOM : Thousands of people from across the world have visited a Hindu Temple in the Black Country for a special ceremony. They came to the Shri Venkateswara (Balaji )Temple in Tividale for the consecration and installation of the Shiva Lingam, the sacred symbol of the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva.

Dr. Kandiah Somasundarrajah, one of the Founding Trustees of the Temple, told BBC WM that nearly 15,000 people had visited Tividale over the four days between Thursday, 19 August and Sunday, 22 August 2010. He said visitors had come from places including Europe, Malaysia, India and Australia.

Dr. Rajah said that it was a “very significant” ceremony for the Hindu community and the Balaji Temple which is the largest Hindu Temple of South Indian architecture in Europe. He explained how the shape of the stone Shiva Lingam, brought from Gangothri (the highest stretch of the River Ganges in the Himalayas), had been formed by water running over it naturally over hundreds of years.