Source: The Houston Chronicle

On November 14, 2002 The Houston Chronicle reported that "the Children's Museum of Houston celebrates this diversity with the return of its annual Festivals of Light exhibit, which is open today through Jan. 20. The exhibit showcases eight religious and cultural observances. They are Diwali, Ramadan, Santa Lucia, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the Lunar New Year during its free Thursday Family Nights - starting this evening - and as WonderWeekend festivities through Feb. 2. Children can see how the...

Author: Richard Springer

Source: New America Media/India-West Newspaper

Source: India-West Newspaper

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=82fcb93eeb029571fcc67c7852ea7c7b

On November 12, 2002 India-West Newspaper reported that "derogatory comments made by a Republican state Assembly candidate in Iowa about her opponent's Indian heritage may have backfired on election day, as Indian American Swati Dandekar swept to an easier victory than expected Nov. 5 for the 36th district...

Source: The Austin American Statesman

On November 6, 2002 The Austin American Statesman reported that "a 5-acre field next to a strip mall in the 1000 block of Yager Lane in North Austin -- is the future site of the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Complex for Austin-area Hindus, particularly those who belong to Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, commonly known as BAPS. The Shilanyas Vidhi, the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone, which took place on Saturday, was meant to purify and pay homage to the land...

Source: North Jersey News

Source: The Idaho Statesman

http://www.idahostatesman.com/News/story.asp?ID=24468

On November 2, 2002 The Idaho Statesman reported that "an interfaith service will be held at 6 p.m. today... in Boise. The service includes prayers for peace from leaders of several churches in the Treasure Valley. Rev. Jon Brown of the First United Methodist Church said the gathering was motivated by the U.S.�s threat of war against Iraq. Representatives from the following faiths and...

Source: The Ledger

Source: Times of India

Source: India Abroad

On November 1, 2002 India Abroad reported that "the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago... has drawn up a $6.5 million plan... to build a Temple Universal to promote harmony among religions in America. When [Swami Vivekananda] introduced Hinduism to America at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893... he expressed a desire to build a Temple Universal. The ashram will have guesthouses for visitors who will be given lessons in meditation, religion and spiritual practices, apart from providing facilities for meditation and yoga...

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

On October 27, 2002 The Salt Lake Tribune reported that "for the first time, the Salt Lake Public Library [in Utah] hosted a Diwali celebration Saturday afternoon at its Main Branch. It offered traditional Indian music and dance performances as well as children's activities, and about 125 people attended."

Source: The Daily News of Los Angeles

On October 26, 2002 The Daily News of Los Angeles reported that "preparations are under way by the Hindu Indian community for the joyous five-day festival of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, that occurs this year on Nov. 4. During Diwali, one of the oldest of Hindu festivals, small lights known as diyas are illuminated inside and outside of homes and temples. The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali. Deepa means 'light' and Avali means a 'row.' The Indian Cultural Center of Chatsworth [CA] will...

Source: Religion News Service

On October 25, 2002 Religion News Service reported that "a Hindu anti-defamation group is protesting a shower fixture ad that appeared in The New York Times, saying it contains a 'derogatory' depiction of a major Hindu deity."

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

On October 24, 2002 the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that "the largest and perhaps most festive Hindu holiday, Diwali is widely celebrated throughout India and in Indian communities elsewhere. Diwali is known as the "festival of lights" and traditionally includes the lighting of oil lamps or candles. At least three organizations will hold public Diwali celebrations. Two will be Saturday in Shoreline and Seattle, with the third Nov. 2 in Seattle. The events feature classical and folk dances and food and arts,...

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On October 22, 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "the Waukesha School Board [WI] president is pushing a requirement for all students to study different religions in high school. In a memo to School Board members, William Domina said he wanted every student in the district to graduate with a basic knowledge of religions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. 'Without this basic understanding, I am concerned that we have not provided our children with a full and complete education and that...

Source: Newsday

On October 21, 2002 Newsday reported on the "thousands of newcomers who live or worship in this spectacularly polyglot stretch of Flushing, which boasts Hindu and Buddhist temples, mosques, synagogues, Sikh gurdwaras as well as historic Catholic and Protestant churches dating, in a few cases, to the 17th century. In many ways, Bowne Street is a microcosm of the changing spiritual landscape of New York, which is being reordered by the powerful engines of immigration and globalization. If not quite a new Mecca or a Jerusalem, the New...