Source: TODAY online

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/23727.asp

On August 9, 2004 TODAY online reported, "The essence, or 'soul,' of Singapore has had several re-incarnations in the last decade but arguably none on as high a plane of existence as its current avatar. The 'Uniquely Singapore' branding campaign came to life only in March — but its presence is being felt practically everywhere. From the Singapore Zoo and the Post Office to food outlets, shops and even drug...

Source: Taipei Times

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/08/08/2003197908

On August 8, 2004 the Taipei Times reported, "Indian censors have banned an award-winning documentary that chronicles one of the country's most painful and deadly episodes of Hindu-Muslim violence. 'Final Solution' is scheduled for release in 40 art house cinemas in Germany next month, where it won an award at this year's Berlin Film Festival. But in India, the...

Source: Deseret Morning News

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595082458,00.html

On August 7, 2004 Deseret Morning News reported that, "[prayer beads] were one of the first sources of human artistic expression, emotional comfort and spiritual mystery. From a lone Buddhist monk rubbing his beads in contemplation of the flaws of man to a Catholic woman holding her rosary in prayer, these tiny objects, bound together by cord, provide tactile comfort and company to...

Source: The Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/search/main_story.asp?intid=3820639

On August 7, 2004 The Chicago Daily Herald reported that, "the Hindu temple that rises in Bartlett... sits on Route 59, the same road that bustles with morning traffic and sprouts gas stations, strip malls and other staples of daily suburban Chicago life. As many as 7,000 visitors, most of them Hindus from around the world, are expected to turn out Sunday for the...

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/04/nyregion/04hindu.html

On August 6, 2004 The New York Times reported, "A prominent Hindu temple in Queens plans to file a motion in federal court today accusing a state judge of violating the separation of church and state by intervening in the temple's affairs. The motion is the latest step in a growing legal struggle at the Hindu Temple Society of North America that is now being followed by Hindus...

Source: rediff.com

http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/aug/05train.htm

On August 5, 2004 rediff.com reported, "Should railway stations exhibit pictures of gods, goddesses and religious icons? No, says Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav... A communiqué from Railway Board Chairman R K Singh has instructed railway authorities to remove pictures of gods and goddesses from all stations. But the directive has angered railway employees, travellers and, yes, the Bharatiya Janata Party...

Source: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_926346,0008.htm

On August 3, 2004 the Hindustan Times reported, "Unperturbed by warnings by some NDA allies, BJP asserted it was proud of Hindutva, arguing it was not associated with religion but nationalism and its rival parties were 'misrepresenting' the terminology to 'portray' themselves as secular. The party also claimed that construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya was not linked to religion and...

Source: Harrow Times

http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.514701.0.hindu_temple_to_build_day_centre_for_elderly.php

On August 2, 2004 the Harrow Times reported, "The Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Westfield Lane, Kenton, has been granted planning permission for an extra storey. The application received unanimous approval at Harrow Council's development control meeting on Wednesday last week....

Source: Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/religion/2711114

On July 30, 2004 the Houston Chronicle reported, "Rahul Patel knows how to speak like a lawyer: He can make all the logical arguments. But this Georgetown Law School graduate did not rely just on reason when he decided to turn down a $125,000-a-year job offer from a New York City law firm to follow a spiritual path of poverty, chastity and obedience. He also responded to...

Source: Andover Townsman News

http://www.andovertownsman.com/news/20040729/FP_001.html

On July 29, 2004 Andover Townsman News reported, "thanks to hipper, edgier programs, expanded facilities and increased variety of congregations, in many cases, Andover's houses of worship are by no means your parents' houses of worship. In addition, while there is a greater variety of ways to worship, the interest in religion in Andover appears to be growing. There are about two...

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/28/stories/2004072802692000.htm

On July 27, 2004 The Hindu reported, "An eight-foot fibre-glass image of Goddess Durga and images of the allied pantheon, started their journey from here to Singapore last weekend for onward despatch to Dallas. The images should reach there by October, to be worshipped by the Indian community during the Durga Puja festival — the biggest event in the Bengali's social calendar. Though...

Source: The Economic Times

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-790020,curpg-3.cms

On July 26, 2004 The Economic Times ran an opinion piece arguing that religion is "India's best export to the U.S." The author writes, "The Commerce Ministry can throw all the figures it wants at us about the export of software, textiles, leather, gems...

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2701344

On July 26, 2004 The Houston Chronicle reported that, "about 175 volunteers who came from as near as Sugar Land and as far as India [helped to construct] the limestone and marble BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple built by the Swaminarayan sect in Fort Bend County, TX... On Sunday, more than 6,000 people packed into the temple and an adjacent building to...

Source: icCoventry