Ashadha Krishna 1 , Vik. Samvat 2083, Yugabda 5128 : 1 July, 2026: SM 8007 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: BHAGWAN JAGANNATH RATH YATRA: The 9-day Jagannath Rath
Yatra will begin on July 16 in Puri, Odisha. During the festival, three deities
(Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra) are drawn by a multitude
of devotees in three massive, wooden chariots on the grand avenue to Gundicha
Mandir, where they reside for a week.
Hindus around the globe celebrate the festival with local Rath Yatras in several
cities.
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2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: While
addressing a gathering of special invitees in Thrissur on June 14, RSS
Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that when people live with Dharma in the
society, qualitative changes happens. Sangh aims to make such persons in every
village of our country.
Marking the 486th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap and the 450th anniversary
of the Battle of Haldighati on June 17 in Udaipur, Dr Bhagwat said that
Haldighati was a victory of Bharat’s civilisational spirit and not a defeat as
portrayed by certain historical narratives.
3. RASHTRA SEVIKA SAMITI PRAVEEN VARG: 112 trainees from
27 Prants across Bharat and Nepal participated in the Praveen Varg of the
Rashtra Sevika Samiti held from June 8 to 24 in Nagpur.
4. VIJNANA BHARATI’S 7TH NATIONAL CONVENTION: The 7th
National Convention of Vijnana Bharati commenced on June 13 at Banaras Hindu
University (BHU). The two-day convention themed ‘Artificial Intelligence,
Science and Humanity’ was organised jointly by the Vedic Science Centre of BHU,
the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), and the Inter-University Centre for
Teacher Education. It brought together more than 1,300 scientists, researchers,
academicians, policymakers and industry representatives from Bharat and abroad.
5. NATIONAL BAITHAK OF RASHTRIYA SEVA BHARATI: The
two-day Akhil Bharatiya Baithak of Rashtriya Seva Bharati was held on June 20–21
at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai. In the inaugural session Akhil Bharatiya
Seva Pramukh Parag Abhyankar provided detailed guidance on Bharat’s glorious
tradition of service.
6. 30TH DARSHAN YATRA AND FIRST SINDHU KUMBH: The 30th
edition of Sindhu Darshan Yatra and the first Sindhu Kumbh commenced with great
fervour and spiritual enthusiasm at the historic Sindhu Ghat in Leh on June 23,
marking a significant milestone in one of Ladakh’s most prominent spiritual and
cultural gatherings. The five-day celebration organised by the Sindhu Darshan
Yatra Samiti brought together thousands of devotees, saints, scholars, cultural
representatives, dignitaries, tourists, and visitors from across Bharat and
abroad. The event was themed ‘One India, Shreshtha Bharat’, reflecting the
ideals of national unity, cultural diversity, social harmony, and shared
civilisational pride.
The Sindhu Darshan Yatra was initiated in 1997 as a pilgrimage and cultural
movement to reconnect people with the Sindhu River. Over the years, the Yatra
has evolved into a major annual gathering.
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7. INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY: BHARAT AND OVERSEAS: The 12th
edition of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) themed ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’
was observed in Bharat and across the globe.
Kolkata etched a place in the Guinness World Record by performing yoga on
500 boats floating amidst the sacred Ganga river, beneath the iconic Howrah
bridge.
About 30 participants participated in the hour-long floating yoga session in
Pokhribal Lake in downtown Srinagar.
The 12th IDY celebrations unfolded across the globe, with participants from
diverse background and community embracing the spirit of ancient Bharatiya
wisdom for better health and wellness.
At the historic Bund along the banks of the Huangpu river, more than 400
participants attended the IDY celebrations at the Bund Finance Centre in Shanghai.
Thousands of residents across the UAE marked International Yoga Day with
mega yoga sessions that transformed community venues into hubs of wellness and
cultural exchange.
More than 2000 enthusiasts participated in the IDY celebrations organized with
the support of the Astana City Akimat and Yoga Family Astana, at the iconic
Astana Arena in Kazakhstan.
In Brazil, a curated yoga session was led by the Ambassador of Bharat to
Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, at the majestic Foz do Iguacu waterfalls.
Denmark Yoga Team in Aarhus organised the International Day of Yoga (IDY)
celebrations in Dokk1.
In Kenya, more than 2,500 participants, including Under-Secretary-General
and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, gathered at the
Oshwal Centre Grounds in Nairobi to celebrate IDY.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended greetings on
the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, highlighting yoga’s global reach
and its role in promoting physical and mental well-being across generations.
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8. HSS PARTICIPATION IN IDY: In response to a specific
request from the Bharatiya Embassy, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Philippines actively
stepped forward to support the International Day of Yoga event. 30 swayamsevaks
and sevikas attended the yoga celebrations in Makati. The team also mobilized
and brought in an additional 40 community members, significantly boosting the
event's overall attendance and visibility.
International Yoga Day was celebrated at Kaohsiung Medical University in
Taiwan on June 21. The event was jointly organized by the International
Students Association of Kaohsiung Medical University, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Taiwan, and the India Taipei Association (ITA).
The Yoga Day celebration by HSS Hong Kong was held on June 20 and brought
together more than 35 participants, including 15 children for a lively and
meaningful session that lasted approximately 2 hours.
In addition to the physical practice, mantra chanting was conducted to help calm
and focus the mind.
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9. 7TH INTERNATIONAL GEETA MAHOTSAV IN JAPAN: The 7th
International Geeta Mahotsav (IGM) was held in Japan on June 19-23. After
travelling to six countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and
Australia, the Mahotsav reached Japan on the invitation of HSS Japan.
Following the successful conclusion of the Tokyo events, the IGM continued in
Kobe, Kyoto, and Osaka.
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10. 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEWA DANCING STARS: Sewa
International Houston celebrated the 10th anniversary of Sewa Dancing Stars (SDS),
the flagship fundraising dance competition that has brought the community
together through dance, service and philanthropy during the past decade. The
event served as the official kickoff to a year-long recognition of SDS’s
remarkable journey and honored many individuals and organizations whose support
has made the competition an indisputable success over the past ten years.
11. SEWA LEAD : FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER BOX FUNDRAISER: On
May 29, five dedicated Sewa LEAD students, along with their families, organized
a Friday Night Dinner Box Fundraiser in support of Sewa International’s SHE and
SAC programs. From conceptualizing the fundraiser to creating promotional
materials, managing orders, and promoting the initiative within their
communities, the students took ownership of every step with remarkable
dedication and teamwork.
12. $4 MILLION RAISED IN SVM: The Smart Village
Movement (SVM), in partnership with Berkeley Haas, hosted its first annual gala
on May 31, in Orange, CA, raising $4 million to support initiatives aimed at
transforming rural communities across Bharat. The event brought together
philanthropists, business leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, and
community advocates including Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Consul General of Bharat in
Los Angeles. SVM Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Anil Shah and Executive
Director Anna Fitter highlighted the organization’s mission and accomplishments.
13. BHARAT-ASSISTED DORMITORY INAUGURATED IN NEPAL: In
Nepal, a dormitory building for the Lowo Nyiphug Namdrol Norbuling Monastic
School in Lomanthang, Mustang district of Gandaki Province, built with the
assistance of Government of Bharat, was jointly inaugurated by Ambassador of
Bharat to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and Chairman of Lomanthang Rural Municipality
Tashi Nharbu Gurung.
14. SCOTLAND HONOURS MAHARSHI SUSHRUTA: As a tribute to
the ancient medical heritage and civilisational wisdom of Bharat, the statue of
Maharshi
Sushruta was unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Maharshi Sushruta is revered as the Father of Surgery as he pioneered the
complex techniques of plastic surgery around 2,600 years ago.
During the event, Prof. Cheruvu also released a book titled ‘Maharshi Sushruta:
A Compendium – Father of Surgery’. In this book, 36 experts from the fields of
Ayurveda and modern medicine across the globe engaged in comprehensive
discussions on how Maharshi Sushruta’s methods and practices remain highly
relevant in the 21st century.
The Royal College of Surgeons is the world’s largest and oldest surgical
institution. It was established in 1505.
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15. GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR BHARATANATYAM DANCE LESSON:
A historic cultural milestone was achieved in Colombo on June 14 as more
than 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers performed together, clinching the Guinness
World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam dance lesson. The event, organised by
Sangamam Global Academy, Bharat, and Samgamizh Liya, Sri Lanka, was held at
Galle Face Green and brought together thousands of dancers from Sri Lanka,
Bharat and several other countries.
The event was attended by Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and Deputy Ministers
Sundarlingam Pradeep, and Mahinda Jayasinghe and it drew a large audience.
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16. BHARATIYA JURIST ELECTED AS JUDGE OF INTERNATIONAL
TRIBUNAL OF THE LAW OF THE SEA: An eminent Bharatiya jurist, Bimal Patel,
has been elected as Judge of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Patel is a member of the UN International Law Commission, Chairman of Working
Group Succession of States in respect of State Responsibility; and
Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public International Law at Rashtriya Raksha
University. “His election takes forward Bharat's enduring commitment to
multilateralism and the Law of the Sea," the Permanent Mission of Bharat to the
UN said.
17. ‘KAUSHIK ASHRAM’ OF RSS IS A HOME FOR THE SENIORS:
Founded in 1984, Kaushik Ashram, in Pune’s historic Mitramandal Colony, serves
as a retirement home for senior RSS members who have devoted their lives to the
sewa of the society. It has been the last home of two former Sarsanghchalaks,
Balasaheb Deoras, who lived here for nearly four years, and Rajendra Singh (Rajju
Bhaiyya).
18. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Arjun, perform your duties
establish in Yog, renouncing attachment and be even minded in success and
failure; evenness of mind is called ‘Yog’. Action with a selfish motive is far
inferior to this Yog in the form of equanimity. – Gita 2.48-49
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JAI SHRI RAM
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PETERBOROUGH TEMPLE CASE: A VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS EQUALITY AND THE HINDU
COMMUNITY IN BRITAIN
SIDDHARTHA DAVE
Court's intervention against the sale of a 40-year-old Hindu temple site to an Islamic organisation raises larger questions about minority rights, representation, and religious fairness in contemporary Britain
The recent legal
setback suffered by Peterborough City Council in the United Kingdom has emerged
as a significant moment for Britain's Hindu community. At the heart of the
controversy lies a fundamental question that extends far beyond a single
property dispute: Can the religious rights of a small minority community be
overlooked in the name of administrative convenience, financial considerations,
or political calculations?
The case revolves around a Hindu temple that has served the Peterborough
community since 1986. Earlier this year, Peterborough City Council approved the
sale of the land occupied by the temple to the United Kingdom Islamic Mission (UKIM),
an organisation that already operates dozens of centres across Britain. The
decision triggered widespread concern among local Hindus, who argued that the
process was unfair, discriminatory, and failed to adequately consider the impact
on the city's Hindu population.
The temple management had reportedly been engaged in discussions with the
council since 2017 to secure ownership of the site. Despite these long-standing
negotiations, the property was ultimately sold elsewhere. Members of the Hindu
community challenged the decision in court, contending that the council had
failed to properly assess equality obligations and had ignored the consequences
of depriving Peterborough's Hindus of their only significant place of worship.
The court's decision to declare the council's action unlawful and capable of
being set aside has therefore been welcomed as an important affirmation of
religious equality under British law.
More Than a Property Dispute
To view this controversy merely as a real-estate transaction would be to
misunderstand its significance.
Religious institutions are not simply buildings. They are centres of community
life, cultural continuity, civilisational memory, and inter-generational
identity. For minority communities in particular, temples, churches, synagogues,
and gurdwaras serve as anchors of belonging in societies where they constitute a
small percentage of the population.
Peterborough's Hindu community represents only a small fraction of the city's
population. Yet the temple has functioned for decades as a focal point for
religious observance, cultural education, festivals, and community cohesion.
The prospect of losing such an institution inevitably generated concern among
British Hindus, who viewed the decision as disproportionately harmful to a
minority community whose options for worship are already limited.
The Question of Representation
The controversy has also reignited discussion regarding political representation
and local governance. Modern democratic societies rightly celebrate diversity
and inclusion. However, they also depend upon public institutions maintaining
both actual and perceived neutrality. Whenever decisions involving religious
communities appear unequal or insufficiently transparent, public confidence
inevitably suffers.
The Peterborough case demonstrates the importance of ensuring that all
communities—regardless of size—receive equal consideration under the law. Public
bodies must not only act fairly but also be seen to act fairly.
This principle is particularly important in increasingly multicultural societies
where competing community interests frequently intersect.
A Civilisational Perspective
For students of civilisation, the episode offers another important lesson.
One of the defining features of Sanatan civilisation has been its capacity for
coexistence. Swami Vivekananda's famous address at the Parliament of Religions
in Chicago in 1893 remains among the clearest articulations of this worldview.
He did not merely advocate tolerance; he spoke of acceptance and respect for
multiple paths to truth.
This outlook has historically enabled Hindu communities across the world to
integrate successfully into diverse societies while maintaining their religious
identity.
Yet coexistence requires reciprocity. A pluralistic society functions best when
all communities enjoy equal protection and when no community's institutions are
disadvantaged because of demographic size or political influence.
The Peterborough dispute became significant precisely because many British
Hindus perceived that this principle had not been upheld.
A Growing Hindu Presence in Britain
Over the past several decades, Hindus have become one of Britain's most
successful and law-abiding communities. They have contributed significantly to
business, healthcare, education, public service, and academia.
At the same time, Hindu organisations have increasingly voiced concerns about
underrepresentation in public discourse and occasional insensitivity toward
Hindu institutions and interests.
The Peterborough case reflects this growing confidence among British Hindus to
use democratic and legal mechanisms to defend their rights. Rather than
resorting to confrontation, the community turned to the courts and relied upon
the rule of law.
That approach has now yielded results.
A Message Beyond Britain
The implications of the Peterborough case extend beyond the United Kingdom.
Across Europe and other Western societies, questions surrounding religious
freedom, minority rights, community representation, and multicultural governance
are becoming increasingly important. Governments are seeking to balance
competing interests while maintaining social harmony.
The Peterborough judgment reinforces an essential democratic principle: minority
communities deserve equal treatment, equal respect, and equal protection under
the law.
For Hindus worldwide, the case serves as a reminder that legal institutions
remain powerful instruments for safeguarding religious rights.
For policymakers, it underscores the need for transparency, fairness, and
sensitivity whenever decisions affect places of worship.
And for Britain itself, it offers an opportunity to reaffirm a foundational
democratic value—that no religious community, however small, should feel that
its heritage, institutions, or faith can be overlooked.
If the final judgment confirms the court's present findings, the outcome will be
remembered not merely as a victory for one temple in Peterborough, but as an
important affirmation of religious equality in modern Britain.
https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/peterborough-temple-case-a-victory-for-religious-equality-and-the-hindu-community-in-britain
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