Showing posts with label The New York Times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The New York Times. Show all posts

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Amritsar Journal - A Sikh Temple Where All May Eat, and Pitch In

Amritsar Journal - A Sikh Temple Where All May Eat, and Pitch In - NYTimes.com

The wonderful tradition of Langar, started by the third Guru, Guru Amardas - where anyone - rich or poor, regardless of caste, creed or color - can sit together and eat the same food - equality for all!

"It is lunchtime at what may be the world’s largest free eatery, the langar, or community kitchen at this city’s glimmering Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. Everything is ready for the big rush. Thousands of volunteers have scrubbed the floors, chopped onions, shelled peas and peeled garlic. At least 40,000 metal plates, bowls and spoons have been washed, stacked and are ready to go.

Anyone can eat for free here, and many, many people do. On a weekday, about 80,000 come. On weekends, almost twice as many people visit. Each visitor gets a wholesome vegetarian meal, served by volunteers who embody India’s religious and ethnic mosaic.."

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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Female Factor - Fighting for Safe Passage on Indian Streets - NYTimes.com

Blank Noise, Walk the Night (similar to Reclai...Image via Wikipedia
The Female Factor - Fighting for Safe Passage on Indian Streets - NYTimes.com

Very interesting and much needed. Movements like Blank Noise, Gulabi Gang, Pink Chaddi have been around for decades, but have gained prominence recently because of the popularity of social media like facebook in India.

"For Ms. Patheja, the artist behind Blank Noise, breaking the silence has been healing, even empowering.
“Today I think I am far less angry, or aggressive towards the issue, yet am unapologetic about my presence on the street,” she said.
In India, thousands of women like her are becoming Action Heroes. We may not yet be ready to take back the night. But we are making a start on taking back the street..."
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