PILGRIMS FEARED TO BE CAUGHT UP IN INDIAN FLOODS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Cllr Manjula Sood, Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths

Pilgrims feared to be caught up in Indian floods

by Peter Warzynski

Religious leaders fear families from Leicestershire could be trapped by floods in the Indian city of Haridwar.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the pilgrimage destination in northern India, following heavy monsoon rains.

Landslides and flash floods caused by the River Ganges bursting its banks have washed away at least 500 people, according to the latest reports.

The charity Action Aid said thousands of people were missing.

Many of those unaccounted for are pilgrims visiting Hindu shrines and temples.

Leicester organisation the Gujarati Hindu Association said it feared local pilgrims could be among the missing.

Spokesman Hemendra Mistry said: "This is an important pilgrimage site.

"We have heard of three tour groups from Leicester which had gone to the region on pilgrimage.

"We're trying to find out whether they were in the area at the time of the flooding.

"We are trying to gauge exactly who's been affected, but it's too early to say how many local families are involved."

The Indian government has launched a huge rescue operation.

However, the Indian Army has not yet been able to reach some of the more remote parts of the mountainous terrain.

Indian officials said that more than 33,000 pilgrims were still missing as of yesterday.

Maganbhai Patel, president of the Gujarati Hindu Association, said: "I've heard that a lot of people have been washed away and temples have been washed away, too.

"The area is devastated and it will take a long time before anything is back to normal.

"My heart goes out to the friends and families of those involved and of course they will be in our thoughts and prayers."

A Hindu temple in Leicester has organised an event to pray for the victims of the disaster.

Hundreds of people are expected to visit Shree Sanatan Mandir, in Weymouth Street, tomorrow to take part in the vigil.

Temple president Ramanbhai Barber said: "A lot of people from Leicester go to that area at this time of year because it's a very popular pilgrimage site.

"I was there last year and when I saw the recent pictures of the flood on television, I thought 'oh wow, there may be people I know there'.

"I've got a lot of friends who wanted to go and I'm not sure who is there and who isn't, but they're in my prayers that they're safe."

Manjula Sood, chairman of Leicester Council of Faiths, said: "I will be at the temple on Sunday to pray for those affected.

"It's very difficult to hear about everything that's going on, especially when we have such a strong connection to the area.

"It's a very holy place for Hindus. People even travel there to scatter the ashes of their family when they die.

"We're here for the people going though a difficult time and showing solidarity."

The flooding has been caused by some of the heaviest rains recorded in Uttarakhand in 60 years.

Scores of homes, hotels and bridges have been destroyed.

THREE TAKE OATHS AS DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS OF COUNTY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Three take oaths as Deputy Lieutenants of county

Three Deputy Lieutenants have been commissioned under oath in honour of their service to the community.

The Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton, made the appointments at a ceremony at Beaumanor Hall.

Deputy Ramanbhai Barber, of, Leicester, is president of Shree Sanatan Mandir, in the city, and an executive member of Leicester Council of Faiths.

Janie Martin, of Woodhouse Eaves, is county president of the Royal British Legion (Women's section) and president of the Friends of Charnwood Forest.

Dr Bridget Towle, of Loughborough, is president of Girlguiding Leicestershire and a member of the University of Leicester's Council.

PILGRIMAGE ARRIVES IN THE CITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Pilgrimage arrives in city

Hindus carrying ornate pots known as kumbhs will parade through Leicester tomorrow as part of a worldwide pilgrimage symbolising their commitment to protecting the environment.

The Green Kumbh Yatra is an international initiative in which a sacred metal kumbh has been carried across numerous countries to promote the importance of conservation and biodiversity.

Launched last year at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad, India, its journey will finish in South Korea in 2014.

The pot has already visited Nepal and Israel, and is in Britain this month before travelling to the USA.

"Spirituality and religion's role in conservation is as old as time itself," said Kusum Vyas, founder of the Green Kumbh Yatra.

The Green Kumbh Yatra will be at the Shree Sanatan Mandir temple, in Weymouth Street, off Catherine Street, from 11.30am to 1pm.

TIRATH YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 9: SHREE SANATAN MANDIR

Stage nine of the Tirath Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Shree Sanatan Mandir, Weymouth Street. The goal is to visit 16 Hindu places of worship (mandirs) in Leicester on foot in a single day.

Tirath Yatra (Hindi: तीर्थयात्रा) is a journey undertaken as a pilgrimage.

Shree Sanatan Mandir is the HQ of the National Council of Hindu Temples (UK). We stop here for lunch, spending about an hour here.

On the way here from Mandir Baba Balak Nath Ji, Uppingham Road, we pass the Ramgharia Centre on Ulverscroft Road. I don't know anything about this place or the community who use it. I must consult Guru Google (as I heard it described for the first time today).

PRAYERS IN MEMORY OF DAMINI

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Prayers in memory of Damini

Around 100 adults and children said prayers yesterday for the 23-year-old medical student whose rape and murder in India provoked international outrage.

They gathered at the Shree Sanatan Mandir Hindu temple, in Belgrave, Leicester, for the hour-long ceremony which included the singing of devotional songs.

Ramanbhai Barber MBE, president of Shree Sanatan Mandir, said the congregation was united in its horror at what had happened to Jyoti Singh Pandey – known as Damini – who was attacked and raped on a bus in Delhi, before being thrown off the moving vehicle.She died in hospital.

The congregation is to write to the Indian High Commission in London calling for tougher laws to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Mr Barber said: "We all prayed and sang bhajans to grant peace to Damini.

"We need strong laws to stop these gangs who have forgotten our morals and values. We urge the Indian Government to take steps to ensure this.

"Damini is everyone's loss, and we all wish she was still alive. We hope she rests in peace."

Mr Barber said a lot of people travel to India, and added: "We should feel safe and secure to travel without fear.

"We want assurance that travel to Delhi, or any part of India, will be safe for our sisters and mothers."

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 8: SHREE SANATAN MANDIR

Eighth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Shree Sanatan Mandir, Weymouth Street. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Eight down ...

Holi (Hindi: होली) is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus, also known as the Festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal and in countries with large populations from India or of Indian descent who follow Hinduism.

Yatra (Sanskrit: यात्रा, "journey", "procession"), in Hinduism and other Indian religions, means pilgrimage to holy places and is generally undertaken in groups. One who goes on a yatra is known as a yatri. It is desirable, but not obligatory, for a Hindu to go on a yatra. One can go on a yatra for a variety of reasons, including festivals, to perform rituals for one's ancestors, or to obtain good karma. To traditional Hindus, the journey itself is as important as the destination, and the hardships of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves. Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine. (Thanks to Wikipedia for these definitions.)

Almost exactly a year ago, Shree Sanatan Mandir celebrated its 40^th anniversary, when it received a visit from Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (see blog, Tuesday 29 March 2011).

We’re slightly ahead of schedule by this point and rather than arrive early at our next destination, the group spends more time in the worship hall, chanting and singing devotional melodies. I sit outside in the lobby, where I have an interesting chat with an elderly fellow who introduces himself to me as Hari. He comers from Delhi and is on his first visit to this country. He tells me that since he was a small boy, all he’s heard is “England this and England that” so he decided it was time for him to come and see it for himself. To say he’s not impressed (especially "area-wise") would be putting it mildly!

I leave some flyers and A4 posters for the upcoming REDP event Choice Unlimited (after asking permission, of course). I also leave information about the Council of Faiths next open meeting, a panel presentation entitled "God in my faith" coming up during the week.

INTER FAITH WEEK 2011, DAY 3: HINDUISM 101

At 1500 we've scheduled the fourth of ten public meetings for Inter Faith Week, under the series title, "Communities of Faith or Belief in Leicester". We're putting on two talks per day in the Adult Education College (or, more precisely, in the Leicester People's Photographic Gallery, which is part of the Adult Ed College).

This should have been a Beginners' Guide to Hinduism - or Hinduism 101 - but our scheduled speaker pulled out and we've been unable to secure a substitute. Were it not for the fact that I'm speaker for the occasion. I go up to the College / Gallery to see if anyone has turned up to listen to the talk. The stalwart Marion Kennedy has, so I advise her that it's not on and apologise.

The photo above is one of two images representing the Hindu community in the Favourite Faiths Photo exhibition, launched this week at the People's Photographic Gallery. The picture is from the celebration of Annakut at Shree Sanatan Mandir, Weymouth Street  (sourced from Kiran Parmar, reproduced with permission).

RETURN TO BASIC VALUES HELPS IN DIFFICULT TIMES

Ramanbhai Barber's First Person column from today's Leicester Mercury:

Return to basic values helps in difficult times 

Ramanbhai Barber issues an invitation to everyone to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali 

Diwali is by far one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is of great religious, cultural, social and commercial importance. People look forward to Diwali all year around. 

Diwali is a time of feasting and celebration. People come together and share food, time and exchange gifts. 

People come together to pray for prosperity for the New Year. 

In the current economic times, when the unemployment rate is at the highest level for years, inflation is painstakingly high and fuel prices are going through the roof, many of us will be, no doubt, curbing our spending this Diwali. 

Basic commodities are not as affordable. As a community, we need to come together and share what we have. We need to share our joys to forget our sorrows. 

Sharing is a key feature of Diwali. Families and friends come together to share food, to share time, to share happiness. 

Material goods do not equate to happiness (unfortunately this is the view we are slapped with by our consumer society). Religious festivals are about connecting with God, connecting with one another. This is not done by spending lots and "keeping up with the Jones". This is done by being humble and respecting every individual and sharing joy. 

No doubt we face hard times ahead of us and the more disadvantaged will be the hardest hit. If we rekindle our community spirit and reinstate our basic values we will be able to ride out this difficult time. 

The message from our Mandir this Diwali is simple living does mean high thinking. We need to re-evaluate our lives, our needs and our desires as we cannot continue to live the lavish lifestyles many are used to. 

We need to live a sustainable lifestyle. This way we will all be happy and we will all be able to support one another. This is what the Big Society should be about: The every day person and their important role as a citizen, as a human, as a member of society. 

Diwali this year is celebrated today and New Year tomorrow. You all are cordially invited to come and celebrate Diwali with us at Shree Sanatan Mandir. 

Nutan Varshabhinandan – Happy New Year to all. 

Ramanbhai Barber, MBE, is President of Shree Sanatan Mandir, Leicester.

FIRST SIGHT OF NEW BAPS SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

Following our meeting with representatives of British Hindu Voice at Shree Sanatan Mandir, I suggest to Minou Cortazzi that we take a quick trip up Catherine Street to see the new BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir.

Despite having heard so much about the temple and having seen various articles and letters about it in the Leicester Mercury, this is the first time I've actually clapped eyes on it. I have set out to see it on foot at least twice already, but never quite made it (thank you Google Maps!)

This will be the biggest Hindu temple outside of Neasden. In a word: impressive!

DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Day that changed the world

Civic and community leaders have recalled where they were on the day that changed the world.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: "I was at the gym in Leicester on the running machine. The TV was on with no sound, and the pictures of the twin towers came up on the screen. One by one the machines stopped, and everyone gathered round to watch as they realised this was not a film, but reality.

'What struck me most after the event was the sense of outrage, and the solidarity people felt with America and with the families and friends of those who had been killed. For us in Leicester it did have some positive outcomes. The establishment of a group of faith leaders – the Faith Leaders' Forum – was very welcome.

"It helped to remind us that community cohesion, as we call it now, isn't something any of us can take for granted."

Bishop of Leicester the Rt Rev Tim Stevens said the first he knew about 9/11 was through a phone call from his secretary.

He said: "The rest of the afternoon was spent being interviewed by the media. Within 48 hours there was an interfaith gathering in the city centre."

In the decade since then. he said great work had been done building up trust between the city's faith communities.

Jagdev Kaur Gill, chairman of the Leicester Sikh Centre, said: "My son called me and told me a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Centre towers. I turned on the television to see the second plane crash.

She added: "At first I thought it was an accident but it was soon clear it was deliberate.

"It was not just an attack on America, it was an attack on the whole world.

"But I believe most people in Leicester condemned what happened and the communities have come closer since it happened. Hopefully, we will continue to work together."

Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann said: "I was staying at my father's house in Cyprus and he called me into the lounge. We just sat glued to the television watching the horrific events unfold."We were just in shock. It was unbelievable."

But when he returned to Leicester he was struck by the atmosphere.He said: "There was a real sense of people coming together from all the communities to condemn terrorism. I believe Leicester people have grown to understand each other better since the attack and we must continue to co-operate to ensure that acts of terrorism are resisted."

Jashvant Chauhan, vice-president of the Hindu Shree Sanatan Mandir temple, consoled his daughter as her friend from university was on one of the planes that crashed into the towers.

Mr Chauhan said: "She rang me in tears telling me her American friend she met at university was on a flight from Boston which crashed into the tower.

"So it was a very personal tragedy for us. But I think the atrocity acted as a wake-up call for us all."

County council leader David Parsons said: "I remember the awful feeling of shock when the news came through but then the dawning realisation that it would have a long-lasting impact on international relations. I pay tribute to the Leicestershire servicemen and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to keep us safe."

WORSHIPPERS WELCOME INDIAN RELIGIOUS LEADER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Worshippers welcome Indian religious leader

Crowds gathered to welcome an Indian religious leader to Leicester for a weekend festival of worship and celebration.

His Divine Holiness Shree Dwarkeshlalji, head of the Hindu sect Pushti Marg (the Path of Grace), is in town to meet followers and lead them in prayer. He was greeted at the Sanatan Mandir, in Weymouth Street, Belgrave, yesterday, by worshippers dressed in traditional Indian dress offering garlands of flowers.

The three-day festival is to celebrate planning permission for a new temple – Shreeji Dham Haveli – and the launch of a £850,000 appeal to convert the former Royale Cars dealership building, in Melton Road.

Arvind Tanna, a director of Pushti Nidhi, the sect's UK charitable arm, said: "We are proud and blessed to receive the encouragement, support and guidance of our His Divine Holiness Shree Dwarkeshlalji.

"Pushti Marg has millions of followers throughout the world and about 1,000 here in Leicester.

"We have always dreamt of building a place of worship of our own and the dream is finally becoming a reality."

The temple will promote Pushti Marg through religious, cultural and social activities open to the whole community.

The festival concludes on Sunday. For more, e-mail: pushtinidhi@yahoo.co.uk

EARL OF WESSEX VISITS SHREE SANATAN MANDIR

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is visiting Shree Sanatan Mandir today. He's on a flying visit to a number of venues in the city and county (literally, as he arrived at Beaumont Leys School by helicopter). He's come here this morning to help celebrate the temple's 40th anniversary. The photo above (from the Leicester Mercury) shows HRH the Earl of Wessex with Vibhooti Acharya, Secretary of Shree Sanatan Mandir. Invitations requested us to arrive at the temple by 1030. After a cup of tea we're led into Mahatma Gandhi Hall and we're in our seats about half an hour later. His Royal Highness isn't due there till 1215, so there's plenty of time to chat. When His Royal Highness arrives at the temple he first meets with a children's group, then some of the elder members before having a short reception with representatives of some of the faith and community groups. When he arrives in Mahatma Gandhi Hall and takes his place on stage, His Royal Highness is welcomed with a devotional dance, performed by Nayana Whitaker and Hema R. Acharya (shown in photo below).

There's a brief speech by Ramanbhai Barber, President of Shree Sanatan Mandir, which ends with him garlanding His Royal Highness in the colours of the Indian flag. The climax of the occasion comes when His Royal Highness unveils a plaque marking the temple's 40th anniversary.

When His Royal Highness speaks, he's warm, witty, self-effacing, inclusive and funny. He tells us that in his experience the only thing duller than unveiling a plaque is watching someone unveil a plaque. So he says he's going to liven up proceedings by dividing us into sections and getting us to do some whooping, cheering and clapping to order. We practise a few times before he unveils the plaque on stage to suitably unrestrained audience participation. I'm told later that HRH was a big wow with the children and older people he met here today (and on his other engagements in Leicestershire today). I can certainly see why! What a charmer.

SOME DAY MY PRINCE WILL COME

And that day is tomorrow: Tuesday 29th. We find Shree Sanatan Mandir busier than usual this morning, preparing for the visit of HRH the Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward). He'll be here to help celebrate the temple's 40th anniversary. The photo above shows Ramanbhai Barber, President of Shree Sanatan Mandir, in front of one of the displays created by children for the royal visit. We appreciate Ramanbhai offering to host the meeting of our Bereavement Services Sub Group at the temple today, with all this going on.

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES SUB GROUP MEETS

A nice walk in the spring sunshine this morning to Shree Sanatan Mandir, Weymouth Street (photo above). There's an unusual but pleasing feel to the air today: warmed by sunshine behind, striding into cold air ahead. Maybe I enjoy the stroll a little too much; it should take just under an hour to walk to the temple, but I've only made it halfway down Melbourne Road by the time I realise I'd better get a cab if I'm going to arrive at a decent time! Once I state my destination, the driver (an Indian chap) asks if I'm "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama"; he's probably wondering what business someone like me has at the largest Hindu temple in Leicester.


I'm on my way to a meeting of the sub group appointed by the Council of Faiths to tackle issues related to the City Council's bereavement services. I join Minou Cortazzi, Suleman Nagdi and Smita Shah here today for the discussion. There are some sensitive issues around this (as you can imagine faithful reader) and some aggrieved voices have been raised among the faith communities in recent months over changes in the service - for both burial and cremation. We agree on what we hope will be a way forward on a number of these issues - leading into a wider ranging exchange of ideas regarding the present status and future role of Leicester Council of Faiths. Some good, strong and positive ideas, which I hope find meaningful expression in this, our silver jubilee year.

OPEN-AIR PRAYER MEETING FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS

While I was involved in the “Leicester on the Map” consultation yesterday, the Council of Faiths was holding an open-air prayer meeting for the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. Here’s how it was reported on BBC Leicester's website:

Prayers were given in Leicester on Wednesday 3 February 2010 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Organised by Leicester Council of Faiths, the event aimed to raise awareness of Haiti's continuing struggle to recover.

Representatives from the Bahá'í, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities, gathered in Town Hall Square for the midday prayers.

A collection also took place, to raise funds for the earthquake appeal.

Chair of the Council of Faiths and Deputy Lord Mayor, Manjula Sood highlighted the ongoing issues affecting the people of Haiti and the scale of the natural disaster.

"It was very important for all of us to come together today and to show our solidarity, because Leicester people are very generous.

"When it comes to devastation or suffering they will always come together."

Vice Chair of the Council of Faiths and representative of the Orthodox Jewish community, Tony Nelson agreed that it is crucial Haiti is not forgotten.

"This has been a terrible disaster and it's very easy to say, 'Oh, it's a nine day wonder', but it certainly isn't.

"One only has to look at the television to see the pictures of the ongoing suffering that is still going on and we feel for our fellow human beings."

He continued, "I think raising the awareness so that people from their daily lives here can reflect and consider these terrible things that are happening in other parts of the world is a good thing."

Lord Mayor Cllr Roger Blackmore, who introduced the proceedings, said he thought it was "wonderful" that the city's faith groups had come together for an important cause.

"I've found that very moving and I'm very pleased to have been part of that."

He added that the day was also a chance to think of the people, such as fire-fighters, from Leicester who were directly aiding relief in Haiti.

It is not just direct action that can help the victims of the earthquake.

Sikh representative Resham Singh Sandhu wanted to give a message to the people of Leicestershire;

"This is the best cause or donation anybody could give to those who are really in need."

SIKHS IN BRITISH SOCIETY

In the evening, a choice: either I go to Shree Sanatan Mandir for the last of the Diwali celebrations, or to Secular Hall, to hear Resham Singh Sandhu speak on "Sikhs in British Society". This isn't an official part of the programme for National Inter Faith Week, but it's an auspicious day for it. I imagine that most members of the Council of Faiths will be going to Shree Sanatan Mandir - and there's no denying the obvious attraction of that. I opt for supporting Resham, since I reckon he'll probably be at Secular Hall on his own. This isn't an official part of the programme for National Inter Faith Week, but it's obviously a good day to have this talk. I arrive at Secular Hall a few minutes late and Resham's already speaking, to an audience of 20 or so. He gives an eloquent and wide-ranging presentation on Sikhs' relations with British society, its people and institutions, past, present and future. He has to leave promptly, before Q&A. On the way out, he pauses to ask me, "Aren't you coming to Hindu temple?" but he doesn't wait for my answer.

I decide to stay for Q&A, in case my meagre knowledge of Sikhism might help. Noel Singh is sitting beside me and responds to questions from the perspective of being a Sikh by birth, culture and upbringing – but having chosen not to follow the religion himself. A Sikh mother and daughter also speak there, mostly about gurdwaras in Leicester and a little bit about Sikh funeral practices. It's all conducted in an amiable atmosphere and several of the members of the Secular Society tell their own tales about acts of kindness and generosity shown to them personally by Sikhs at one time or another. They seem to conclude that the only trouble with Sikhism is that it's a religion and not a social movement - that they'd find it perfectly acceptable if it weren't for the fact that Sikhs believe in God. I tell them that that's their problem, rather than the Sikhs'! I leave the meeting (after tea and biscuits and the customary convivial chat with their President, Allan Hayes) with a distinctly warm feeling about this evening.