Lead, Internal Communications

Madhya Pradesh Enforces Liquor Ban in Sacred Cities

- Madhya Pradesh will enforce a liquor ban in 19 religious cities and areas under specific gram panchayats starting April 1. - The decision, aimed at promoting de-addiction and respecting public faith, was approved by the cabinet following the announcement by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. - All liquor shops and bars in these regions, including Ujjain and Omkareshwar, will close. - The ban covers urban limits of 12 cities and rural areas of 7 gram panchayats, declared as 'completely sacred' by the BJP government. - Religious sites such as Mahakal Temple in Ujjain and Amarkantak, the origin of the Narmada River, are included in the ban. Source: [The Times Of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-govt-enforces-liquor-ban-in-19-religious-cities-from-today/articleshow/119842444.cms), [News 18](https://www.news18.com/india/madhya-pradesh-govt-imposes-liquor-ban-in-17-religious-cities-including-ujjain-omkareshwar-9282201.html), [Mint](https://www.livemint.com/news/india/madhya-pradesh-liquor-ban-sale-of-alcohol-prohibited-in-these-cities-from-april-1-onwards-check-full-list-here-11743474904339.html), [Ndtv](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-bans-liquor-in-19-religious-cities-effective-from-today-8057774), [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/liquor-ban-in-19-places-in-mp-comes-into-effect-today-101743446719171.html)

Why I Am a Hindu

Why am I Hindu? The obvious answer to this question is, of course, that it's because I was born one. Most people have little choice about the faith they grew up with. It was selected for them at birth by the accident of geography and their parents' cultural moorings. The overwhelming majority of Hindus in the world were born Hindu. A small handful, inspired by marriage, migration, or philosophical conviction, have adopted the faith, usually by a process of conversion unknown to most Hindus. Unlike that small minority, I was never anything else. I was born a Hindu, grew up as one, and have considered myself one all my life. But what does being a Hindu mean? Many of us began having to interrogate ourselves in the late 1980s, when the world media first began to speak and write of Hindu fundamentalism. This was odd because we knew of Hinduism as a religion without fundamentals. No founder or prophet, no organized church, no compulsory beliefs or rites of worship, no uniform conception of the good life, no single sacred book. My Hinduism was a lived faith. It was a Hinduism of experience and upbringing, a Hinduism of observation and conversation, not one anchored in deep religious study, though of course the two are not mutually exclusive. I knew few mantras, just a few snatches of hymns, and practically no Sanskrit. My knowledge of Hindu sacred texts and philosophies came entirely from reading them in English translation. When I went to a temple, I prayed in an odd combination of English, Sanskrit and my mother tongue hindi, instinctively convinced that an omniscient God would naturally be multilingual. Why am I a Hindu?

Trudeau's Diwali Message Amid Diplomatic Tensions

- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared Diwali wishes with the Indo-Canadian community amid ongoing diplomatic tensions with India. - Trudeau highlighted his visits to three different Hindu temples over the past few months in a video message for Diwali celebrations. - The video shows Trudeau visiting a Hindu temple during the Festival of Lights and pointing to sacred threads on his wrist, which he received at the temples. - Trudeau emphasized the significance of these bracelets, stating they bring good luck and protection, and he plans to keep them on until they fall off. - The video also captures Trudeau meeting with members of the Hindu community at the temple, where he is given a plate of jalebis, which he mentions he will save for his team. Source: [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/morning-briefing-trudeau-visits-temple-amid-canada-india-row-pak-blames-india-as-lahore-records-worst-aqi-and-more-101730686314171.html), [Zee News](https://zeenews.india.com/india/not-taking-them-off-trudeau-flaunts-hindu-thread-visits-temple-as-india-canada-tensions-simmer-2815413.html)