Hindu Council organised a multi-faith Eco-Forum in 2011

February 23, 2018 by ·

Hindu Council organised a multi-faith Eco-Forum in 2011

Hindu Council helped prepare and launch the Hindu Climate Action Kit

Hindu Council has also been involved in ARRCC’s Advocacy work with the federal politicians in Canberra                                      

Association with Faith Ecology Network (FEN) – FEN is an interfaith network of people connecting faith with ecological awareness and care. HCA has participated with FEN since 2008 as an active member of its Working Group, participating in its annual seminars, prayer vigils and other promotional activities.

Association with FoodFaith – FoodFaith aims to build bridges across different faith, cultural and community groups through our shared learnings and practices of food and sustainability. Hindu Council has been associated right from the launch of the FoodFaith initiative in March, 2015.

HCA’s Shri Sai Paravastu and family has been involved in setting up the Community Garden in Lane Cove.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Community Engagement, Environment, Interfaith · Tagged: , ,

Hindus missing out Big time on School Chaplaincy

February 23, 2018 by ·

The National School Chaplaincy Programme (NSCP), is an Australian federal government programme which funds chaplains in Australian primary and secondary schools. The chaplains are to provide “support and guidance about ethics, values, relationships and spirituality”.[1] The grants are $20,000 a year for schools and $24,000 for schools in remote areas.[2]

Hindus are missing out big time on School Chaplaincy. Hindu students form 2.5% of school students in NSW but there is not a single known Hindu Chaplain in any of the schools.

While the NSCP is formally not religion-specific, the chaplains employed under the programme are disproportionately Christian. In 2011, one study stated that 96.5% of the chaplains employed under the programme were Christian, while only 64% of Australians identified as Christian (based on the 2006 census). By contrast, 0.01% of the chaplains were secular, whereas 19% of Australians identified as having no religion. Buddhism, the second largest religion, is followed by 2% of Australians, but only 0.03% of the school chaplains. Islam was followed by 1.7% of Australians, but only 0.9% of school chaplains. Judaism is the only religion which had a roughly proportionate representation, with 0.45% of the Australian population following the religion, and 0.5% of school chaplains.

(Source Wikipedia and Census)

Filed Under: Chaplaincy, Highlights, Interfaith · Tagged: , ,

Hindu Council releases a of Multi-faith Music CD

February 22, 2018 by ·

Hindu Council of Australia – Release of Multi-faith Music CD

The Hindu Council of Australia organised a Multi-faith Music CD Release function from 4pm till 6.00pm on Saturday 1 July 2017 at Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre in Canberra. The theme of the program was “Theology and Music”.

The music CD was produced by Mr Divyanshu Pota who recorded music from five separate traditions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hindu.

Prakash Mehta, PresidentMaster of Ceremonies Mr Thamo Sri Tharan introduced the program and asked Mr Prakash Mehta to welcome all guests on behalf of the Hindu Council of Australia ACT Branch and Dr Himanshu Pota to speak on the theme.

The program commenced with a prayer by Mr Lakshman Prasad and the lighting of lamp by the leaders of the various faiths present:The Most Rev Christopher Prowse Archbishop of Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn; Mr Hasib Khan of Canberra Islamic Centre; Mr Greg O’Rourke of Tibetan Buddhist Centre;and Sri Prachar of Sri Chinmoy Centre. Leaders of other faith leaders present were: Mr Bill Arnold of the Jewish Community (being Sabbath he remained silent); Ms Shahnaz Kouhbor (Baha’i); Mr Amardeep Singh (Sikh); Ashok Jain (Jain); Dr Pal Dhall (Satya Sai); and Mr Lhakpa Tshoko (representative of His Holiness the Delai Lama for Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia).

Speakers amplified the role of music and presented music from their faiths providing further evidence of commonality and its transcendent nature.

Canberra Hindi School children Setu, Sanjana, Holi-jai, Isha, Priyanshi and Shivam sang a song in Hindi and Mr Yash Agasti played a favourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi “Vaishnava Jan To Tene Kahiye” on key board.

Mrs Ira Patkar of the Mudrakar Kathak Dance School presented a classical Kathak Dance.

After Mr Santosh Gupta presented the vote of thanks the program concluded with a universal prayer sung by Mr Manish Chopra and his daughter Gauriof the Divine Life Society.

Attendees applauded the initiative by the Hindu Council on selecting a topic that provided a fresh insight on Religion and Faith. The gathering ended notingthat music can and does create good bonding and togetherness among the faiths of the world.

The meeting concluded with vegetarian refreshments and a meet and greet session.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: ACT, Community Engagement, Events & Programs, Press Releases, Uncategorized · Tagged: , , , ,

Indian Link Newspaper, HARSHAD PANDHARIPANDE reports on Hindu Council

February 22, 2018 by ·

Indian Link Newspaper, HARSHAD PANDHARIPANDE reports
Hindu Council to felicitate women achievers – HCA launches the Gargi Awards for role models in various fields. [Read More…]

Filed Under: Awards, Highlights, News about Hindu Council · Tagged: , ,

Vic Govt funds $160,000 for Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple

February 19, 2018 by ·
 
 
 
Australia’s Victorian State Government announced that it will provide more than $160,000 to the Hindu Society of Victoria to upgrade its Cultural and Heritage Centre, also known as the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple. Consecrated in 1994, the Society’s spiritual and cultural precinct, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, is now largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere. [Read More…]
Filed Under: Important Activities, Member Organisations, VIC · Tagged: , ,

A review of Australia’s religious freedoms

February 19, 2018 by ·

Philip Ruddock appointed to conduct review of Australia’s religious freedoms

Fergus Hunter

Published: November 22 2017 – 8:10AM

The government has appointed Howard-era cabinet minister Philip Ruddock to lead a review into the legal protections for religious freedom in Australia, which has emerged as a contentious issue inside the Coalition ahead of the legalisation of same-sex marriage. 

Announcing the review, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said recent proposals for religious protections went beyond the immediate issue of marriage and warned any change should be undertaken carefully. 

“There is a high risk of unintended consequences when Parliament attempts to legislate protections for basic rights and freedoms, such as freedom of religion. The government is particularly concerned to prevent uncertainties caused by generally worded Bill of Rights-style declarations,” Mr Turnbull said.

Since the Australian people backed same-sex marriage in the postal survey, Coalition MPs have been pushing various proposals for religious exemptions, including allowing service providers to boycott weddings that conflict with their faith. One proposal would see a section of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights incorporated into the same-sex marriage bill.

Debate over the raft of proposed amendments has risked derailing the government’s plans to legislate the change by the end of 2017. 

Mr Ruddock, who retired from Parliament in 2016 and was recently elected as mayor of Hornsby, will conduct the review with an expert panel consisting of the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission Rosalind Croucher, retired federal court judge Annabelle Bennett and Jesuit priest Frank Brennan.

The Prime Minister said the review, which will report back by March 2018, would be a “timely expert stocktake” to inform any future legislation. 

Treasurer Scott Morrison, a vocal advocate for religious exemptions, said he was pleased with the review and emphasised it was “not a substitute” for relevant amendments to the same-sex marriage bill.

“Those amendments … will still be pursued and, as you know, I have a view that they should be supported,” Mr Morrison told ABC radio.

As the last attorney-general of the Howard government, Mr Ruddock introduced the 2004 amendment to the Marriage Act that explicitly defined it as a union between a man and a woman. 

He was recently the government’s special envoy for human rights and has strong connections to Australia’s multicultural and religious communities.

This story was found at: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/philip-ruddock-appointed-to-conduct-review-of-australias-religious-freedoms-20171121-gzq9cl.html

Filed Under: Hinduism News, Important Activities, Interfaith · Tagged: ,

Karma Kitchen gets invited to Food Faith Harmony Day

February 18, 2018 by ·

In recognition of Karma Kitchen project of Hindu Council, FoodFaith has invited Karma Kitchen to join Blacktown Harmony Day celebration on Wednesday, March 21st, at Bowman Hall. The event will be from 11am to 1pm (possibly starting earlier.)

The event is being organized by a number of organisations including Blacktown Council, SydWest, FoodFaith, FEN, TAFE, Relationships Australia and Settlement Services. 

The ‘Breaking Bread’ initiative that FoodFaith is co-ordinating as part of Harmony Day involves different cultures and faiths presenting samples of their breads with accompanying information on its history, uses, customs, associated festivals, sustainability elements and recipes. Hindu Council Karma Kitchen would bring along enough ‘pieces’ to feed a few hundred people. Karma Kitchen may also provide herbs or spices for a communal dip or spice for a collaborative symbol.

Hindu Council has been involved right from the launch of the FoodFaith initiative in March, 2015 by Judith Friedlander, Senior Researcher at the UTS Institute for Sustainable Future. I have been in contact with her for many years in connection with our campaign to reduce meat consumption. I was one of the Faith Leaders who spoke at the launch ceremony.

Mr Sai Paravastu of Karma Kitchen has been involved in setting up the Community Garden in Lane Cove, setup and being run by the FoodFaith group.

Mr Sai Parvastu and Vijai Singhal, Director Hindu Council would be representing Hindu Council in this event.

Filed Under: Community Engagement, Hindu Council News, Interfaith, Karma Kitchen · Tagged: , ,

Gargi Woman Award Press Release

February 16, 2018 by ·

Hindu Council of Australia institutes award for recognizing Australian women

 Sydney : 12 February 2018

 Hindu Council of Australia has instituted annual awards to recognise outstanding contribution by Australian women in the society. The awards would be across multiple categories and will be announced on the occasion of International Woman’s day 2018.

 Speaking about the awards, the President of Hindu Council of Australia, Mr. Prakash Mehta said, “We want to recognise women who have been tirelessly contributing to the Australian society for a number of years. Some of them are well known in their field of work and some less known yet their contribution has been immense. With these awards we aim to recognise their hard work and create role models for younger generation of Hindu girls and women growing up in Australia.”

Further adding Mr. Mehta said, “These awards have been named after the great Hindu Rishika (female sage philosopher) Gargi Vachaknavi. Born around 700 BC, Gargi’s philosophy addresses metaphysical questions about the construction and origin of the universe and is considered to be the first, among many, in the long history of women’s intellectual contributions to human society. So, it’s only fitting that we named the awards her”.
 
The awards will be presented to the recipients during the Parramasala Festival in Parramatta on 11th March 2018.

For further details please contact us.

Filed Under: Awards, Community Engagement, News about Hindu Council, Press Releases · Tagged: ,

Half In U.S. Want An End To Slaughterhouses

February 16, 2018 by ·

The Sentience Institute recently conducted a survey of 1,094 United States adults to determine how people in the United States feel about animal agriculture. What they found was surprising. For example, 47.4% of respondents agreed with banning slaughterhouses, 33% agreed with banning animal farming altogether, and 66.9% of respondents agreed that people should eat fewer animal-based foods and more plant-based foods. [Read More …]

Filed Under: Environment · Tagged: , ,

Thank you Hindu Benevolent Fund

February 15, 2018 by ·

An anonymous recipient of help from HBF thanks by sending following email:

To
Consulate general of India and Hindu council

I sincerely thanks for all the generous help and support provided to me in my time of hardship. I really appreciate and very thankful for the financial support provided in terms of paying my apartment rent, it actually made a huge difference and helped me a lot.

Thanks

Donate generously to Hindu Benovolent Fund by [Clicking here]

Filed Under: Community Engagement, Hindu benevolent Fund, Important Activities · Tagged: , ,