Web Bytes – meanwhile in India

Stories from the subcontinent which many of our readers hold dear.

TAGS: India, Guru Purnima, Culture, Rishikesh, Animals

Guru Purnima in Pune

Tributes poured in for various gurus or teachers on the occasion of Guru Purnima in the city, wherein events and programmes were organised throughout the day on Tuesday.

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial auditorium witnessed a frenzy of chanting and dancing as 500 Osho followers moved to the tune in a trance. A special Guru Purnima celebration was organised by the Osho Friends Foundation. “It was held outside the Osho International Commune since the ashram is not celebrating Guru Purnima, so Osho lovers celebrate it outside the ashram,” said Swami Prem Anadi/ Kishore Rawal, trustee Osho Friends Foundation. It was a three-hour programme of kirtan and Osho’s teachings.

Swami Kamal from Pune, said, “It was a fantastic celebration with kirtan and dhyaan.”

17 July 2019 in the Hindustan Times

Living with dreadlocks for forty years

Sakal Dev Tuddu, 63, from the Munger district of eastern Bihar state, wears his mat of hair on top of his head like a turban. He says that one night, some 40 years ago, his hair spontaneously wove itself into a jatta or dreadlock, which he took as a divine blessing. He also says God visited him in a dream and told him not to cut his hair – an instruction he has obeyed ever since.

But unlike the sadhus, Sakal Dev’s hair is matted into one huge knotted lock, which he ties up in a white cloth when he goes out to keep it clean. If he didn’t stack his hair up on top of his head it would trail on the ground behind him. In fact, his neighbours have dubbed him ‘Mahatma Ji’ as a mark of respect for his holy appearance and humble demeanour.

He is renowned as a traditional healer, and prepares home-made treatments for childless couples.

Photo credit – Rare Shot/Barcroft Media
James Tweedie – 17 July 2019 on Mail Online

After 90 years, Lakshman Jhula bridge beyond repair

Rishikesh’s famous landmark bridge, constructed during the British Raj over the Ganga, was closed on Friday after an expert panel suggested it is not in a position to sustain any more load.

The bridge, dating back to 1929, has been a major attraction for visitors as well as for locals who have several fond memories. The iconic landmark connects Tapovan village in Tehri district on the western bank of the river with Jonk in Pauri district.

One of the main attractions for tourists and devotees coming to Rishikesh, the pedestrian bridge also used by two-wheelers was named after Hindu mythological character Lakshman as it stands where he is said to have crossed the river with the help of jute ropes.

Anupam Trivedi – 13 July 2019 on News18

Indian High Court grants animals same rights as humans

The Punjab and Haryana High Court in India has granted animals in the state of Haryana the status of “legal person or entity,” meaning they now have the same “rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.”

The order was signed off on 31 May by Justice Rajiv Sharma, who moved to Haryana High Court last year from Uttarakhand, where he passed a landmark ruling in 2018 “to protect and promote greater welfare of animals.”

“All the animals have honour and dignity,” said Sharma. “Every specie has an inherent right to live and is required to be protected by law. The rights and privacy of animals are to be respected and protected from unlawful attacks … in order to protect and promote greater welfare of animals including avian and aquatic, animals are required to be conferred with the status of legal entity/legal person.

Photo credit Bhagawati
Jane Wolfe – 6 June 2019 on Lady Freethinker