The birthday of Bhagwan Rama, known as Rama Navami, is very important for Hindus all around the world. Bhagwan Rama is regarded the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, one of Hinduism's most important deities, and he is adored as the personification of justice, virtue, and an ideal ruler.
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French Embassy in India twitted
A warm welcome to France for the 
tri-force contingent that will march in the #BastilleDay parade on July 14! We feel especially honored to welcome soldiers from the Punjab Regiment, whose valorous history includes fighting alongside 
troops in WWI.
The Great Famine of Madras in 1877, during the dark ages of colonial India, was a catastrophic event that brought untold misery and suffering to the people of the region. The famine, triggered by a combination of factors including prolonged drought, failed monsoons, and widespread crop failure, resulted in widespread starvation, disease, and death.
As the harsh drought persisted, rivers and lakes dried up, leaving parched lands and withering crops. Agricultural communities were devastated, and food became scarce and unaffordable. People were forced to sell their possessions, beg, or resort to extreme measures to survive. Hunger and malnutrition were rampant, leading to widespread health issues and diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
The British colonial administration, which controlled the region, proved ineffective in addressing the crisis. Relief efforts were poorly organized and insufficient, failing to reach many of those in need. The suffering was exacerbated by the exploitation of the poor by the rich, who hoarded food and raised prices to exorbitant levels.
The famine took a heavy toll on the vulnerable, including children, women, and the elderly. Many families were torn apart, as people migrated in search of food and water, leaving behind their homes and loved ones. The scenes of suffering were heart-wrenching, with emaciated bodies, despairing faces, and cries of anguish echoing through the streets.
The Great Famine of Madras in 1877 left a lasting impact on the region, as countless lives were lost, communities were shattered, and the socio-economic fabric was severely damaged. It stands as a tragic reminder of the suffering and neglect faced by the Indian population during the dark ages of colonial rule, and the urgent need for equitable and just governance.
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As part of marking of Inter Faith Week, the Golden Tours Foundation and Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe held a commemorative event to highlight the contribution of Commonwealth soldiers in World War 1.
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Over a year ago, an excavation in Richebourg village, 143 miles from Paris led to two human remains from WW1 being discovered. On subsequent analysis, the remains were identified as casualties of an Indian regiment of the 39th Royal Garhwal Rifles.
Read more‘Remembering Indian Soldiers’ project is a commemoration to the efforts of Indian soldiers who fought in the First World War on behalf of Britain.
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The most celebrated Diwali festival in Europe is back! Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS 2024), hosted by the MAYOR OF LONDON in partnership with the Diwali in London Committee (DiL), will take place on Sunday, 27th October 2024 at Trafalgar Square.
Once again, this annual celebration of the Festival of Lights will bring communities together for a day filled with joy, culture, and festivity, marking the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Diwali is one of the most significant events in the Indian cultural calendar, and this year’s festival promises to be a spectacular showcase of the rich traditions, vibrant colours, and unity that Diwali embodies.
Open to all and free of charge,
DOTS 2024 invites Londoners and visitors alike to experience the cultural grandeur of this joyous occasion.
Event Highlights – Live Performances:
A day-long programme of performances featuring traditional and contemporary music and dance. Attendees can enjoy the finest classical Indian dance forms and energetic Bollywood performances from talented artistes across the UK.
– Food Stalls: A diverse selection of vegetarian food stalls offering authentic Indian cuisine, from popular street food to traditional sweet treats, allowing guests to savour the flavours of Diwali.
– Family Activities: A range of interactive activities for all ages, including henna art, exciting games, and storytelling sessions focused on the significance of Diwali.
Additionally, a series of unique Marquees will enhance the event’s immersive experience:
– Bhajan Zone: Join a collective of voices singing devotional bhajans, uplifting the spirit of togetherness and harmony.
– Glimpses of Goddesses: A sacred space featuring live representations of Hindu Goddesses, offering a meditative experience of divine grace and power.
– Puppet Marquee: A captivating puppet show retelling the Ramayana, the ancient story behind the festival of Diwali.
– Sari and Turban Marquees: Experience the elegance of a sari or the regal feel of a turban, with expert drapers at hand to guide you.
– Yoga Marquee: Discover the health benefits of yoga through guided workshops suitable for all, whether you are new to yoga or a regular practitioner.
– Dance Marquee: Join in Bollywood dance workshops and experience the joy of movement through a variety of dance styles.
– Children’s Marquee: A dedicated space offering activities and entertainment to keep children engaged throughout the day.
– Diwali Culture Zone: A series of interactive games and cultural experiences, offering a deeper understanding of Diwali and its message of harmony and giving from the heart.
Join Us in Celebration Diwali is a time to reflect on unity, peace, and the spirit of renewal.
Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a vibrant space, filled with light and positivity, embodying the community spirit and values of Diwali.
DOTS 2024 is a unique opportunity for London’s diverse population to come together, appreciate cultural richness, and celebrate the festival’s universal themes.
Event Details
– Date: Sunday, 27th October 2024
– Time: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM GMT
FREE event – Open to ALL
– Location: Trafalgar Square, London
Contact info: Email: media@diwaliinlondon.com Website: www.diwaliinlondon.com
The British Sanatan Dharmic Alliance organised an events called Freedom of Hindu Beliefs. It was a first of its kind event, bringing together prominent parliamentary figures, community leaders, Hindu rights activists, academics and members of the diverse Hindu community.
The farmers protest has taken a violent turn last week when thousands broke through the main protest and invaded one of India’s iconic sites – The Red Fort. And if that was not bad enough, they did it on India’s Republic Day celebrations.
One of the worst years in humanity’s history is coming to an end it is very sad to see that many key events and anniversaries have been marginalised. One such key date is the anniversary of women’s rights which has been rarely mentioned in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has changed the boundaries of what we can do, and what we cannot. Diwali no longer means that thousands of people out on the streets of Leicester or on Trafalgar Square.
The Coronavirus is taken its toll and as the second lockdown takes effect, there are lots of questions as to on what basis decisions are taken. The faith communities are particularly upset. A group of faith leaders have jointly written to the Prime Minister saying: “We strongly disagree with the decision to suspend public worship during this time.”
The world psyche revolves around the coronavirus as stories of death, economic destruction, and glimpses of inspirational individuals continue to cover the news headlines.
As the numbers of covers have begun to rise again, the data for the South Asian community does not look rosy. South Asians are five times more likely to get coronavirus than white people. Numerous reports have shown that BAME communities have a much higher chance of dying from coronavirus than white people.
It is another must-watch. Healing Our Earth group of volunteers are bringing another seven hours of in-depth insight into vegetarian and vegan cuisine. You can watch it at
https://m.facebook.com/healingourearth
and
The amount of information available on coronavirus is astonishing, but with it comes confusion, mixed messages and a whole lot of fake or inaccurate news. So here we are here again hoping to simplify the key information impacting the ethnic communities currently on the news agenda.
Life in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic is severe, stressful and in many cases fatal with the UK death rate rising above forty-four thousand. It is during this time; you see and hear about the brave and enduring individuals who find ways to beat the odds against the virus.
The reasons behind why ethnic minorities are suffering greater losses over COVID than the white population continues. It is also getting more confusing as there is so much speculation, yet less clarity as to what it all means and what extra steps should BAME communities take to fight the dreaded disease.
It is breath-taking to see a young role model making his mark into the mainstream of British arts and culture. The Birmingham Opera Company has appointed locally born Alpesh Chauhan as their new Music Director.
The crisis of Coronavirus continues worldwide. Even countries with low mortality rates are not safe, as they are either lacking increased testing or they are fearing a second wave of the spread which could further bring chaos within the health and economic systems.
What we took for granted only a few weeks ago, now is a completely different world where we cannot even touch our loved ones.
The gentle giant and one of the great pioneers of Asian media in the UK, Ramniklal Solanki has sadly passed away after an illness aged 88. He lives behind a legacy of inspirational stories about his own life as well as the thousands of other lives he helped to highlight on the pages of his media empire.
So, after India threatens to boycott the Commonwealth Games, the officials negotiate and buckle down to a deal where India will host the archery and shooting events and pay the bills.
Indian professionals continue to make their mark on the top echelons of the world's tech companies. The latest one is Arvind Krishna taking up his post in April 2020 as the new CEO of IBM.
Talented Indian techies have an opportunity get funded with a new British Government fund launched to support collaborative research under the UK-India Tech Partnership.
The British Museum has managed to raise around £440,000 to buy a painting by one of India’s greatest painters which was earmarked to be exported abroad. It has been bought with support from the Art Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Brooke Sewell Permanent Fund.
India has adopted the marigold as a symbol to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in WW1.
It’s a sight of a new dawn. Indian culture is extending across the globe. Where Indian culture has been tolerated for the sake of diversity and community relations is now embraced by the mainstream.
Two years have been marked to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary and there have been many celebrations all around the world.
Britain ethnic minority population is nearing 14%. There has been a steady rise in how ethnic minorities are represented in public life at around 8% in parliament.
The threat to places of worship has been mainly targeted toward mosques and synagogues. It would be an oddity that other places of worship would face any kind of hate from vandals and criminals. But in the last year or so, things have changed, and no places of worship are safe from being hit.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has appointed Kumar Iyer as their Chief Economist thereby making him their first BAME origin member of the Board of Management.
The Hindu community has welcomed the Government’s decision to help update crematoria facilities so that the needs of different faiths can be accommodated.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's largest and heaviest Bhagavad Gita at the ISKCON temple in New Delhi. It is the world’s “largest principle sacred text ever to be printed.”
More than 300 guests attended West Midland's Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple for the opening of the Gandhi Peace Centre.
Following on from Diwali in Trafalgar Square and Belgrave Road, Leicester, the wider Europe has begun taking notice of the importance of Hindu Festivals outside India.
In its 17th year, the Diwali festival on Trafalgar Square attracted thousands of people for an afternoon of spectacular celebration and commemorating the legacy of Indian soldiers during WW1.
For years India has had to be stuck with the labels of unhygienic, dirty and not taking environmental issues seriously. Are such views justified?
In its 72nd year of Independence, India is a country with thousands of years of heritage. So how is this diverse nation progressing?
After years of debacle, political scrutiny, community disharmony and blame from all sides, Theresa May’s government has finally decided to ditch the caste legislation.
In a special event dedicated to the UK India-Week, there is much hope that this special relationship will only get stronger as Brexit beckons and Britain needs a major trading partner. With India progressing as an economic hothouse, it is no wonder that the UK-India Week is gaining new gravitas.
A prominent women’s organisation ‘Pukar Group’ in Leicester managed to raise over a thousand pounds by organising a community concert.
In a democratic country, people have a right to protest. And there were plenty of protests during the recent visit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.
It is Easter time in the Christian calendar and people are breaking up for the Easter break. But this year, March 31st also represents a major festival in the Hindu calendar. It is dedicated to the birth one of the great superheroes of civilisation – Lord Hanuman.
Around 10,000 labourers and craftsmen helped build one of the greatest places of worship in the world?
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is endowed to construct the first Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian space programme ISRO has reached another landmark by launching its 100th Indian satellite.
India has adopted the marigold as a symbol to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in WW1.