Hindu Press International

Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/004200809271114.htm

HYDERABAD, INDIA: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the governing body managing the wealthy Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, has decided to gold-plate the entire Ananda Nilayam (the sanctum sanctorum inside the hill shrine) both inside and out. At present, only a portion of Ananda Nilayam is covered with gold.

Board Chairman D. K. Adikesavulu Naidu, announcing the plans, said that the cost is being estimated and will be made public soon. Offers of gold donations, as well as direct contributions, are already flowing in from devotees.

Responding to concerns that the project might endanger the rare lithographic treasures on the temple walls or might even violate the shastras (scriptures), Naidu said the TTD would consult Peetadhipatis (religious heads) and Agama Shastra pundits, taking their suggestions before commencing the work, and would then proceed with utmost care.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1193317

INDIA, September 26, 2008: Within the space of a decade, India has become the world capital for diabetes, hypertension and heart ailments. Obesity is on the rise as well. The spurt in cardiovascular diseases has been the most steep and rapid–currently 14%, in contrast to 11% in 2003 and just 1% in 1960.

Western countries, implementing strict anti-smoking laws and publicizing the benefits of a low-fat diet, have succeeded in dramatically reducing mortality due to cardiovascular disease–by 60% in Japan and Finland, 50% in the US, and 25% in Canada and Australia. But in India, the World Health Organization (WHO) projects that by 2015, deaths due to cardiac ailments will increase by 100%.

Experts point to India’s changing food habits and to the spread of the smoking habit. Many in India have abandoned the traditional diet focused on whole grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables. Instead, they eat increasing amounts of pizza, burgers and deep-fried items like samosas–all of which are high in trans-fatty acids. Cardiologist Dr. H.K. Chopra stated that the move toward refined foods and the lack of sufficient fruits and vegetables in the diet has dramatically lowered immunity.

Worldwide studies have shown a strong connection between trans-fatty acids and coronary heart disease. Denmark witnessed a 20% decline in mortality from cardiac ailments after regulating the trans-fat content of foods. Dishes made out of hydrogenated fat, baked items, margarines, meat and even milk have trans-fat.

Experts recommend following a more vegetarian diet.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2980578/Scientists-study-out-of-body-experiences.html

LONDON, UK, September 22, 2008: In cases of cardiac arrest, where the body is technically dead and doctors restart the heart to bring the patient back to life, some people have reported soaring out of their bodies and looking down on themselves and medical staff. Doctors have decided to study 1,500 heart attack patients to see if people with no heartbeat or brain activity can have such “out of body” experiences.

To test the theory, doctors at 25 hospitals in Britain and the US will place images on shelves that are only visible from the ceiling.

Dr Sam Parnia, an intensive care doctor who is heading the study, said: “If you can demonstrate that consciousness continues after the brain switches off, it allows for the possibility that the consciousness is a separate entity.” He added, “What people experience during this period of cardiac arrest provides a unique window of understanding into what we are all likely to experience during the dying process.”

Source: http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2008/9/27.shtml

Many advances in the sciences that we consider today to have been made in Europe were in fact made in India centuries ago.
   Grant Duff, British historian of India