Hindu and Muslim community join hands to promote communal harmony

Ahmedabad (Gujarat), May 16 (ANI): Religious leaders from both Hindu and Muslim community came together in Gujarat”s Ahmedabad city to promote communal harmony and peace.

The event to promote communal solidarity was organized by the All India Organization of Imams of Mosques.

The event witnessed the participation of religious leaders belonging to different faiths including influential Hindu preachers- Jagat Guru Shankracharya representing Kashi Kochi peeth (seat) and Chidanand Maharaj from the holy town of Rishikesh.

“This meet is organised just to promote communal harmony and unity among people, all Indians should be united, which is the reason behind this meet,” said Shankracharya.

“Right now, we are talking about improving the whole society. Our aim is to reduce the gap between two major communities of Hindus and Muslims and to bring a solution to each and every problem with the help of talks,” added Imam Mohammed Ilyasi, Muslim preacher and the organizer of the meet.

Ahmedabad was the worst affected in the 2002 Gujarat riots, in which a reciprocal violence took place between the Hindus and Muslims. (ANI)

Tamil actress Ranjitha takes premature retirement after Swami sex-scandal

Chennai, May 3 (ANI): South Indian actress Ranjitha, known for a sex-scandal linking her with tainted guru Swami Nityananda, has decided to quit to lead a quiet life with her family in Kerala.

In a statement issued by her lawyers, the actress is said to be severely depressed after video recordings featuring her in compromising positions with the swami surfaced Tamil Nesan reports.

The actress has disassociated herself from the video.

Indian Tantric tries killing sceptic live on TV, fails

London, March 20 (ANI): A sceptic challenged an Indian tantric to kill him live on television, after the guru proclaimed that he could kill another man using only his mystical powers.

Sanal Edamaruku, self-appointed sceptic-in-chief of Indian Rationalists’ Association, demanded Pandit Surender Sharma to exterminate him.

Both men were invited to a talk show for the challenge.

The episode was banned from being screened on television, but could be viewed on Youtube.

Sharma was reluctant to start with but he finally obliged to perform his rituals.

He brandished a knife, ruffled the sceptic’s hair and pressed his temples.

However, even hours later, Edamaruku was alive and smiling.

“He was over, finished, completely destroyed!” The Times quoted him as saying.

He added: “The immediate goal I have is to stop these fraudulent babas and gurus. I want people to make their own decisions. They should not be guided by ignorance, but by knowledge.

“I’d like to see a post-religious society — that would be an ideal dream, but I don’t know how long it would take.”

Edamaruku is also part-time journalist and publisher from the southern state of Kerala.

The Indian Rationalist Association was founded officially in Madras in 1949. (ANI)

Now, iPhone app that measures how many calories are burned during sex!

London, Mar 17 (ANI): A new iPhone app measures how many calories you burn off having sex.

Called the Bedometer, the 59p download analyses the time duration and intensity of each love making session.

As for its workings: the gizmo is put on the bed and measures raunchy activity using the iPhone or iPod Touch”s motion sensor before adding up the calories, reports The Sun.

App guru Omaid Hiwaizi, of ad agency Chemistry, said: “The Bedometer is the ultimate app as it”s fun and functional.”

The kinky invention follows the Passion app – an app analyses a user”s bed moves and gives advice on how to improve. (ANI)

Godman incarnation near Bangalore supplicated by cannabis

Bangalore, March 10 (ANI): In a bizarre ritual, large number of devotees visit a temple in Bangalore’s Chitradurga district and smoke cannabis during an annual festival as an expression of their devotion to the deity here.

The temple’s main deity Nayakana Hatti Tipperudraswami is said to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Visiting this temple during the annual festival shows how men and women consume cannabis during this festival, held in March, in the name of the strange belief.

Also related to this 800-year-old unusual ritual is a belief of some people that smoking cannabis enables the smoker to develop a better focus in the worship of the deity here.

People here believe that God favours those devotees who smoke cannabis here and they attain ‘salvation’ after smoking cannabis.

Legend has it that Tipperudraswami came to Nayakana hatti and stayed until his last days. The God created the pyre for his cremation.

“The fair is of Guru Eppseswamy (another name of Nayakana Hatti Tipperudraswami) is being observed every year for 800 years. He attained Moksha (salvation) at this place,” said Shekharappa, Member of Temple Committee.

Some of the hermits believe that cannabis should be consumed by them alone as it is the sacred offering of God.

“In our Shavana community, many people call it (cannabis) as ”Ganja” or ”Patri”. But it is none of these. It is ”Shiva Patri”. I should say that only the Shavana community should be allowed to smoke it. No other people have authority over it,” said, Niranjan Swamiji, a hermit.

Though it is illegal to buy, sell or possess cannabis in the country, the fair provides an opportunity to cannabis sellers and buyers, as they can trade cannabis here without any hassle. (ANI)

Ludhiana hosts seminar on Sufism

Ludhiana, Sep 19(ANI): Ludhiana recently played host to a national seminar on Sufism. This time, the theme was the influence of Sufism on modern times.

The Sahitaya Academy of New Delhi and the Punjab Sahitaya Academy organized the seminar.

The seminar also focused on the ‘pain of separation from God’ and intellectuals, poets and Sufi singers.

“Sufism says that God, whom a man looks for all over, is within him. And once he realizes this fact, he will be free of his ego and will find happiness,” said Vaasthe Mohi, a Sindhi poet from Ahmedabad.

While, Gulshan Majith, a poet from Jammu and Kashmir, said: “When God is everything, so what is the importance of religion and caste discrimination, this is the message of Sufism. Shaivaism, Buddhism and Sufism give same message to the world and consider this world as the manifestation of that supreme power and do not make a distinction with the other. There are no boundaries. Everybody in this world is equal for God.”

The participants also put forth the argument that many Punjabi poets make use of themes from popular Punjabi culture. r. Chandraprakash Deval, a poet from Rajasthan, said Sufism is the paramount method to fight terrorism.

“Sufism is the best way to fight terrorism. If the minds of people can be changed, they will start respecting other religions, humanity and the feeling of brotherhood and secularism will increase, terrorism will be finished then. So to fight terrorism it is important to popularize the way shown by Sufism, adopt and follow that way and spread the feeling of brotherhood,” Deval said.

Sufi singer Balbir Kaur, who also teaches singing at Guru Nanak College in Ludhiana, held the audience spellbound and she also highlighted that school students must be made aware of the great cultural heritage, traditional folk art and literature of the Sufi saints, to promote Punjabi language.

Associating Sufism with any one religion is against its very basic tenets. Underlining this basic fact, renowned Sufi singers Idrim Khan and Skakur Khan from Rajasthan sung the verses of Bulle Shah, Guru Nanak, Kabir and Sajjan Shah. By Karan Kapoor (ANI)

Aniston’s new flick in ‘script theft’ suit

Washington, September 16 (ANI): The producers of Jennifer Aniston’s new film have been sued by two screenwriters, who alleged that the movie’s plot has been stolen.

Filing their papers against NBC Universal executives, Greg Crowder and Tony Freitas claimed that Scott Bernstein had rejected their script titled ‘The Truth’ when he was Vice President of Production for Universal Pictures in 2006.

Their contention is that the script has now been revamped as ‘Love Happens’, starring Aniston and Aaron Eckhart.

The film is set to hit cinemas on September 18, reports Contactmusic.

According to documents obtained by TMZ.com, Crowder and Freitas want it pulled from release or 100,000 dollars in damages.

Crowder claims that Bernstein told him the script for The Truth needed a rewrite before Universal would buy it, and since the producers refused to pay for the rewriting work, the deal did not materialise.

The writer says that he was shocked to learn that the script for Aniston’s new flick, which revolves around a self-help guru with a dark past, was very similar to that he had written with Freitas. (ANI)

Deepak Chopra says MJ was “a very controlled addict”

London, Sept 14 (ANI): World-famous self-help guru Deepak Chopra believes his friend Michael Jackson could not have died of drug addiction, as he was a “very controlled addict”.

The Telegraph quoted Chopra as saying: “It was caused not by the drugs he had been taking for years…. He was a very controlled addict. But by him being given a particular drug that is so powerful that I have never heard of it being used anywhere but in an operating theatre with breathing tubes and a ventilator.”

Chopra, who is also called “the spiritualist to the stars”, wants a criminal investigation into the King of Pop’s death and blames doctors for his easy demise.

He said: “There is a plethora of designer doctors who will give patients anything they want as along as they are paid…. That’s why I’d like to see a criminal investigation. That way some good would come out of Michael’s death. But no one seems to be prepared to do anything about it – even when the drugs these doctors are prescribing are killing people.”

MJ had contacted Chopra after reading one of his books on mind, body and spirit and the two had always been in touch since then. (ANI)

Students gift house to teacher as mark of respect

Namakkal (Tamil Nadu), Aug 31 (ANI): In a unique and loving gesture, students presented a house to their former teacher at Gurusamypalayam village in Tamil Nadu.

Eighty-three-year-old Soballapuram V Venkataraman, who has been living in a rented run-down house at the village in Namakkal district even after 25 years of retirement with his aged wife and a widowed daughter, will now have a new place to live.

Venkataraman will soon shift into the new house, which is spacious and much larger than his present accommodation.

The house, built in an area of 1,200 square feet, is nearly ready and will be formally gifted to the guru on the ‘Teachers’ Day’ on September 5.

Venkataraman says even though his students have been successful in life he never ever expected anything like this from them. He recalls he never complained about his financial problem to them. However, he said he was overwhelmed by this gesture.

“I have been teaching from 1954 to 1985 for 32 years. And during the course of my teaching profession, I have taught about nearly 1,500 students. Many of them are now working as industrialists, doctors, engineers, senior administrative officers,” said Venkataraman.

Venkataraman taught Tamil language at the Sengunthar Mahajana Higher Secondary School at Gurusamypalayam village and inspired many of his students with his knowledge of poetry and oratory.

Two years ago when his former students came to meet him, they were sad to know about his living conditions, and the financial debt he incurred for the marriage of his two daughters.

Even though he receives a monthly pension of Rs.9,000, it’s inadequate to meet the daily expenses of his family, let alone living a better life.

The students who had achieved success and made it in their professional life decided to alleviate their loving teacher’s suffering in their own unique way.

“We took up a list of our old students, we collected their addresses, and we printed a small notice and sent it to them. The old students responded and we were able to collect nearly 10 lakh. We constructed this house. We are very much pleased to hand over this house as ‘Guru Niwas’ to our teacher as a ‘gurudakshina’,” said Dr Mohan Raj, a physician and former student of Venkataraman.

Money was sent by students who are now settled in various parts of the country. It took two years to build a two-storey house at the cost of Rs 10 lakh. By Jai Kumar (ANI)

Oz opener Hughes seeks out his guru and Tendulkar in India

Nagpur, Aug.29 (ANI): Out of favour Australian opener Phil Hughes is in Nagpur working on his apparent weaknesses against the short ball with his coach Neil D’Costa.

D’Costa is looking after a cricket academy here and raves about the facilities and future.

Hughes could have come home with his other New South Wales teammates this week, but has stopped off at Nagpur to work on his cricket with D’Costa and catch up with Sachin Tendulkar.
According to The Australian, Hughes is happy and unbroken despite suffering the disappointment of being dropped during the Ashes series and insists he was coming to Nagpur to work on his batting.

“The goal is to always get better. I had always planned to catch up with Neil no matter what happened. I wanted to get in the nets with him and keep working on my game,” Hughes said.
D’Costa is evasive when pressed about what the pair are working on.

“I speak to Michael Clarke and all my students at regular intervals and work with them when I can,” he said.

“It’s about mechanics, your biomechanics things are always changing. The world will think the key is to put Phil in front of a bowling machine and bowl bouncers all day. The mechanics of cricket are a little more advanced than that, despite what you hear from commentators,” he added.
“We aren’t working on specifics, but one thing I know from working with kids, through adolescence and into their early adulthood, is that your technique does change and you need to keep addressing the biomechanics of it to understand how you are playing,” he said.
Pushed further he admits he saw something in England. I won’t tell you and I won’t tell anyone else, but I did think there was something in his (Hughes) mechanics that he needed working on, 100 per cent,” D’Costa said.

The little opener is also turning to the Little Master. He intends to fly to Mumbai on Monday and hopes to have dinner with Tendulkar. Hughes promises to gorge himself on cricket. (ANI)

Pak announces governing body of Baba Guru Nanak International University

Amritsar. Aug.28 (ANI): In a step to give shape to a proposed Baba Guru Nanak International University (BGNIU) the Government of Pakistan has announced the name of its members of the governing committee for project management unit on Friday.

The first meeting of the governing committee is likely to be held in Islamabad in September this year. The Chairman of the PETPB would head the Committee.

The then Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz assured a delegation of the Sikh Diaspora headed by Dr. Pritpal Singh, convener American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), to set up set up a university on Sikh religion and culture at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.

Besides the chairman of PETPB, Mian Imran Masood as a executive director, Zafer Saeed Padhiar, MNA, Rai Shah Jehan Bhatti, MPA, President PSGPC, Dr. Pritpal Singh, USA, Manmohan Singh, UK, Azhar Ehsan Advocate, Tahir Azam, Faqir Syed Saif Uddin, Sham Singh Former president PSGPC, Bishan Singh and Mastan Singh are the members of the committee.

In 2007, in a meeting with heads of the various Sikhs organizations, including Avtar Singh Makkar, president of SGPC, PS Sarna the president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managemnet Committee (DGGMC) and Bishan Singh President of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee were asured by PETPB Chairman that the proposed university would have the best architecture, curricula and research center on Sikh and other religion and culture.

It is pertinent to mention that none of the members was taken from India, neither from the SGPC, the premier body of the Sikhs or from DSGMC. However, DSGMC chief Sarna said: “I am happy that the work is on progress to build the University and it makes no difference to me whether they have not gave any representation in the committee.”

He said that whatever duties they give us we will do voluntarily.

Makkar registered his anguish and said that it is unfortunate that PETPB has not given any representation to the SGPC in the governing body.

He said that the SGPC not only represents Sikhs living in India, but also embodies all Sikhs living around the world and that includes Pakistan. He said that without the representation of the SGPC the governing committee could not be called a complete body.

According to sources, the university would be constructed in 2500 acres of land in Nankana Sahib. The foundation stone of the university would be laid in the month of September or November this year.

Talking to ANI, Dr. Pritpal Singh said that the AGPC would bear all the expenses occur on establishing the course related to Gurmat Sangeet facility.

He said that we would invite scholars from all over the world to join the university. It will be planned University that to be modelled on the great universities of Oxford and Cambridge and te University will allow to get Admissions for the Students of all over the world. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)

Stuart Broad can’t see himself doing underwear ads like Becks

London, Aug 25 (ANI): Brit cricketer Stuart Broad has revealed that he does not have the body like footie ace David Beckham to appear in underwear ads, even though they might make him famous.

Broad, 23, who cares more for his game than about the money that he can make, wants to focus only on how to perfect his bowling.

PR and promotion guru Max Clifford thinks Brand can make 2 million pounds a year in sponsorships, and also become one of the faces of English sport.

“Maybe I’ll be more famous now – but that certainly won’t help me get more runs and wickets,” the Sun quoted Brand as saying.

“It is not something that fazes me – the attention and stuff like that – it is exciting and if that happens I’ll look forward to it.

“I have been in a few adverts but I have not got the body to be posing in my underwear like David Beckham!

“That is my pure focus, on improving myself as a cricketer, which can only help the team improve. We will be training on Wednesday and working on my batting and bowling.

“That’s the only way to improve and I look forward to taking that next step as a cricketer. If people want to talk about me, then they are welcome to.

“It is an exciting time but I have got some very good people around me.

“My old man experienced winning an Ashes series and has been successful and my mum is a very grounded person… if I ever put a foot out of place she would tell me!

“It is exciting that people are interested in cricket again and so happy that we have done well,” he added. (ANI)

Gulzar turns 73 | Gulzar Birthday | Happy Birthday Gulzar | Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra) turns 73 | Sampooran Singh Kalra Birthday

Gulzar turns 73 | Gulzar Birthday | Happy Birthday Gulzar | Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra) turns 73 | Sampooran Singh Kalra Birthday

Famous Lyricist, director and scriptwriter, Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra) turns 73 on 18th August, Tuesday.

Gulzar, who recently won an Oscar for his song “Jai ho” in the film “Slumdog Millionaire”, penned his first song for filmmaker Bimal Roy’s 1963 film “Bandini”. Titled “Mora gora ang lai le”, it was a chartbuster and music lovers hum it till date.

Some of his most popular songs have been associated with legendary composer R.D. Burman in movies such as “Parichay” (“Musafir hoon yaron”), “Aandhi” (“Tera bina zindagi se koi”), “Ijaazat” (“Mera kuch saaman”) and “Masoom” (“Tujhse naraz nahi zindagi”) to name a few.

He has also had award-winning associations with composers like Salil Chowdhury for “Anand” and Madan Mohan for “Mausam”. In recent times he teamed up with young composers like Vishal Bharadwaj for “Maachis”, A.R. Rahman for “Dil Se” and “Guru” and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for “Bunty aur Babli”.

The multifaceted Gulzar donned the hat of a director with “Mere Apne” in 1971. He then went on to make films like “Parichay”, “Koshish” (1972), “Aandhi” (1975), “Mausam” (1975), “Ijaazat” (1987) and “Maachis” (1996) among others.

For his contributions to Indian cinema, Gulzar was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2004. His movies have won numerous National Awards too — he bagged the best director honour for “Mausam” and best lyricist honour for the songs “Mera kuch saman” and “Yaar sili sili”.

Gulzar likes to celebrate his birthday with his family, away from the city, and this year will be no different, says daughter Meghna.

Manmohan Singh reminds the world not to forget Africa in the race for development

Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), July 15 (ANI): India today reminded the world that in decision-making bodies, in global economic processes and political emancipation of nations, nobody should forget that Africa is lagging behind.

Speaking on the first day of the XVth Non-Aligned Movement Summit here, the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said: “Nowhere are the challenges that humankind faces more pressing than in the continent of Africa. NAM should work to give Africa’s problems and equally its prospects, preeminence in the global development agenda.”

Many African nations have looked upon India to voice their concerns in the global polity, and the Non-Aligned Nations platform has been one such forum.

“Making Africa an active participant in global economic processes is a moral imperative”, he said. And like a marketing guru, throwing a bait, he added: “It also makes good economic sense.” r. Singh also spoke about India’s role in furthering the African continent’s concerns about being neglected by International bodies.

He said: “India is committed to develop a comprehensive partnership with Africa. As a first step, we held the first India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in 2008. We are ready to work with other NAM countries to enhance our partnership in areas that are of priority to Africa.” By Smita Prakash (ANI)

Floods continue to wreak havoc in Assam

Sivasagar (Assam), July 13 (ANI): Flood situation remained grim in Assam’s Sivasagar district, forcing 20,000 people to seek shelter in relief camps.

More than 20,000 people in Sonari and Nazira areas were forced into relief camps as overflowing Dikhow and Desang rivers inundated more than 100 villages.

S.Dhiren, an official of Krishna Guru Seva Ashram, a voluntary group, said that food and other essentials were being distributed in the relief camps.

“We are distributing rice and cereals for the people affected by the flood waters besides other relief material,” said Dhiren.

Water Resource Department officials say the water level of overflowing rivers has reached 95.13 metres, 10 centimetres less than the June 1998 flood level.

Every year, the monsoon causes the river to flood in Assam. (ANI)

‘Guru Purnima’ celebrated all over India

Allahabad/Shirdi/ Chandigarh, July 7 (ANI): Hundreds of devotees converged on the banks of River Ganges in Allahabad to take a dip at Sangam and offer prayers on the occasion of ‘Guru Purnima’.

“After bathing in the river, we will offer prayers to our guru. Taking a dip at Sangam on this day holds great significance,” said Jagannath Singh, a devotee.

The day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar is traditionally celebrated as Guru Purnima. On this day, devotees offer worship to their guru.

While the entire country celebrates Guru Purnima on the full moon day, the festivities related to this occasion commenced earlier at Shirdi in Maharashtra.evotees from across the country and even abroad thronged the shrine of Sai Baba, the revered saint and sought his blessings on the auspicious occasion.

“Many Sai Baba devotees come to Shirdi to observe Guru Purnima,” said Balkrishna Joshi, a temple priest.

According to a legend, Sai Baba was a nameless pauper who took shelter in a mosque in Shirdi but never asked for food or water or sought alms. He rarely spoke.

Curious villagers took pity on this feeble and sparsely clothed man and donated fruits and clothing. And it is said that to their surprise the Fakir (mendicant) shared whatever he got with the destitute and even animals.

Soon the ascetic was named Sai Baba by his admirers. The poor, needy and the destitute from far off began pouring in to seek and share his divine wisdom.

It is also said that during his last days, Sai Baba gave nine coins as blessings, to one of his ardent devotees named Lakshmi Bai, who had served him unfailingly for 45 years.

Lakshmi Bai used to cook meals for Sai Baba and feed him with her hands and the ritual continued till he departed from this world.

The coins are still preserved with reverence by the descendants of Lakshmi Bai. Indeed, these coins are protected with utmost care by the members of the family. (ANI)

Katie Holmes set to launch dance scholarship

Washington, July 7 (ANI): Katie Holmes has joined hands with ‘Airspray’ director Adam Shankman and reality TV guru Nigel Lythgoe to set up a dance scholarship fund.

The Hollywood actress is set to appear on Lythgoe’s U.S. show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ later this month.

And she has now teamed up with the pair and ‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba to set up the ‘Dizzy Feet Foundation’.

As part of the scholarship, underprivileged youngsters will get the opportunity to take part in dance programs, and win grants to enrol in accredited dance studios, according to Daily Variety.

“I think it’s important for children to experience music and dance. Every child should have the opportunity to discover what it is they like and have access to the very best in that pursuit,” Contactmusic quoted Holmes as saying.

‘The Batman Begins’ star is all set to show off her dancing skills on the floor during a special 100th episode of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, where she will perform a tribute to Judy Garland. (ANI)

Christian Audigier questions Posh’s sense of style

Washington, July 6 (ANI): French clothing guru Christian Audigier doesn’t find Victoria Beckham’s clothing line impressive.

In an interview to Bang Showbiz, Audigier said that Posh was in a difficult position as she had no formal training.

“Victoria, I’m not sure about. I like her, she’s a nice girl, but she is not completely my style,” Contactmusic quoted Audigier as saying.

“I have seen some of her designs – they are very simple. It’s difficult for an artist or a singer to enter into the world of fashion.

“They need to be with a real pro because you can’t just rely on your name to help you sell.

“The way to sell and who to sell to and what you want to accomplish, these are all things you will need help with if you’re entering into the world,” he added.

However, according to Audigier, Posh’s soccer star husband David has an amazing style.

“I believe David Beckham has amazing style, he has this British and European twist with him. And he always dresses himself, picks everything himself,” he said.

“He can wear so many things well, whether it is shirts, a T-shirt with boxer shorts, or alternatively the Armani advert he did recently – he just looks great. He has a great attitude, I just love it.

“He is a real tough guy with his style, very English, like a Guy Ritchie movie or something like that, I like that,” he added. (ANI)

Spider-Man does exist, says comic-book guru

Washington, July 4 (ANI): Spider-Man has found life outside of comic-book pages, says an associate humanities librarian for Texas Tech University Libraries.

In an article published in the International Journal of Comic Art, pop-culture guru Rob Weiner basically says that Spider-Man and his costumed peers have entered mankind’s collective consciousness, filling a shared need for heroes.

“When I started reading graphic novels, I was struck by the fact that stories about Spider-Man or Batman and Superman could have as many plot twists and turns as any story by Shakespeare, Stephen King or Leo Tolstoy,” he said.

“I was struck by how good some of the writing was for these so-called “kiddie” books, and that somehow these archetypical characters like Spider-Man were replacing Odysseus and Zeus as part of modern mythology,” he added.

Spider-Man’s resume includes a number of films, a TV series, magazine appearances, graphic novels, videogames, and action figures.

His fans can often be seen clad in his costume, while doing something as humble as feeding the homeless.

“While some of this (affectation) is categorically tongue-in-cheek and they don’t have ‘super powers,’ these actual-world costumed figures are trying to do good for their fellow citizens, which shows just how pervasive fictional realities can be,” Weiner said. (ANI)

Month-long Buddhist pilgrimage concludes in Ladakh

Ladakh, July 2 (ANI): A grand reception was organised by Buddhist monks of Hemis Monastery in Ladakh to welcome the pilgrims on a month-long pilgrimage on foot from Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

Initiated and headed by the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche, the pilgrimage walk commenced from Manali on May 23 and concluded at Hemis Monastery on Wednesday.

The 12th Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche is the spiritual head of the Drukpa lineage. He is revered as the reincarnation of Drogon Tsangpa Gyare (founder of the Drukpa lineage).

Buddhist monks undertook the padyatra (journey on foot) spanning 400 km across the rugged Himalayan mountains from Manali to Ladakh.

Tshering Phunstok, a monk from Darjeeling, who undertook the journey with a hundred others, said that he enjoyed every bit of the padyatra.

“It was difficult but we enjoyed it. Sometimes we had to climb up to 5000 metres above the sea level and sometimes 3000 metres. We had a hard time, but we enjoyed very much with the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa,” said Phunstok.

The journey was also aimed at helping the population of Himalayan region through humanitarian projects and initiatives in the area of education, medical help, preservation of heritage and environment.

During the month-long journey, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche, imparted knowledge to people about the importance of environment, health and modern education.

“His Holiness educated people about the harmful effects of polythene. At the same time, he also taught them the importance of modern education,” said Tshering Norbu, a Buddhist scholar.

The group crossed five high Himalayan passes, the highest of which, Shikunla and Singgela, both are at an altitude of about 5,200 metres above the sea level.

On its way, the group also visited holy sites of Chakrasamvara, Avalokiteshvara, Guru Padmasambhava and one of the sites of the great Drukpa master, Naropa. (ANI)