Mr. Kishore Ruparelia (picture not displayed for professional reasons) is a well known and active member of Britain’s Hindu Community. He is currently a visiting Hindu minister in three London prisons, including Belmarsh, and has overall responsibility for the religious needs of Hindus in prisoners throughout England and Wales.
The older generation of Hindus in Britain have often referred to the country as a ‘Rama Rajya’, due to what they saw as excellent governance, public order, civil responsibility and responsible policing compared with the countries where they previously lived, although others have often have complained about the apparent lack of concern that people have for one another.
Recently, Britain has got quite a lot of flak for being a lousy place to grow up and live. What are your views?
Ramana Maharshi is universally looked upon as one of the greatest self realised sages of modern times. He lived a quiet life with no interest in publicity, yet seekers flocked to him and today many centres bearing his name exist all over the world. He was renowned for his saintly life, for the fullness of his self-realisation, and for the feelings of deep peace that visitors experienced in his presence. So many people came to see him at the holy hill of Arunchala where he spent his adult life that an ashram had to be built around him. He answered questions for hours every day, but never considered himself to be anyone’s guru.
Earlier this month, we were surprised to receive two threatening messages from a Hindu who was apparently peeved at an article carried in last month’s edition of Hindu Voice UK (Krishna’s War Ethics).
Children growing up in Britain have the highest level of social problems compared with any other wealthy country in the world, according to a recently published United Nations report. The report, titled ‘An Overview of Child Wellbeing in Rich Countries’ was based on a study into the youth of the 21 richest countries in the world. Amongst other things, it was shown that children in Britain have the worst rates of drunkenness, obesity, bullying, early sexual intercourse, cannabis-taking, and teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, they were more likely to describe…
The idea that the time of year at which your birth takes places has a long-lasting effect on your health and personality is a widely held belief throughout the world. It forms the basis of star-signs, horoscopes and other branches of astrology. On the other hand, people who consider themselves of a scientific mindset have generally rubbished the suggestion of a link between time of birth and other aspects of one’s life. Hence, it was rather surprising to find such ideas being supported in a reputable science journal.
According to an article in the 27 January 2007 issue of New Scientist, it is reported that an unmistakable correlation exists between the month of a person’s birth and their chances of acquiring a serious mental health disorder. Being born at certain times of year gives a small but significantly increased risk of problems such as depression, schizophrenia and anorexia nervosa.
There are many devotees of Lord Shri Krishna but there are only a few who have made a special place not only in the heart of Lord Shri Krishna but also in the memories of an entire civilisation and hence made their name immortal in the history of the Hindu people. This novel/book is based on one such devotee of Lord Shri Krishna, named Mirabai. Mirabai lived in the 16th century. Today, devotional hymns composed by her are still sung throughout the length and breadth of India, and her story is still passed on through folklore. ‘Follow the Cowherd Boy’ brings to life the story of Mirabai in the English language, for the very first time. It is based on much historical research on Mirabai, woven together with popular retellings of her life story. The result is spellbinding novel.
Mirabai was the princess of Merta - one of the kingdoms in Rajasthan. She was married to Bhoj - the prince of Merwar. The marriage was designed to create an alliance between the two kingdoms to protect their people…..
New Policy endangers the authenticity of Ayurvedic practise and provides economic benefits to those who do not recognise the Hindu roots of this system.In the last two decades, Ayurveda has attracted a large number of patients in different countries around the world, due to its holistic approach with an emphasis on using lifestyle modification, healthy diet and safe natural drugs.
Recently, the UK’s Department of Health have founded a new Herbal Working Group which will monitor and regulate Ayurveda teaching and practise under the banner of Herbal medicine, with a view to westernise these practises and make the whole system consumer friendly for the west.
The key issue, arising from the changing…..
Traditional Indian society prided itself on its non-criminal nature. A man following the life of crime was shunned by his peers and regarded as an outcaste by Hindu society, No man could advance by dint of crime and even those who felt obliged to break the bonds of society and order did not see themselves as criminals but as ‘baaghis’ or honourable rebels.
The long clash between Hindu and Muslim powers in the Indian subcontinent saw thousand of Hindus become Baaghis without losing the feel that they were still honourable members of society and its defenders. Many felt that they still
Even today Hindu groups routinely trot out figures that Hindus are amongst the least criminal and non-violent sections of society.
In modern times however we are seeing a change in the traditional perceptions of crime and society.
The recent clashes between gang members in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail was a reflection of the underworld struggle for power in India’s premier metropolitan city. The older and more established…..
There is a famous quote from the Mahabharata: “Dharmah Matibhyah Utghratah” - dharma is that which is born from reason (as opposed to blind conformity with other people or with traditions). This film continually recited this quote, contrasting it with the attitude of unthinking and sheepishly following what other people have told you is right.
Those of you who are not too out of touch with Hindu lore will remember Eklavya of the Mahabharata. He was a young forest dwelling boy who excelled at archery. Dronacharya didn’t want Eklavya to be better than the Pandava and Kaurava princes who he was teaching, in particular Arjuna. He asked for Eklavya’s thumb as ‘Guru Dakshina’ (teachers fee). Eklavya smilingly cut his thumb of and presented it to Drona, even though it meant that his skill as an archer would be diminished.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘Eklavya: the Royal Guard’ is set in modern day India, not ancient times. But it continually draws parallel’s to and from the Mahabharata. It is based in Rajasthan, in one of the former princely states. The Maharaja, Rana Jaywardhan (Boman Irani), is no longer anything but a ‘paper raja’, but in practice still wields a great deal of influence…
