Trinidad's Hindus protest alcoholic Ad featuring Krishna

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http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2002/12/5.shtml#2

Trinidad's Hindus Protest Alcoholic Ad Featuring Krishna GO TO SOURCE

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD, December 5, 2002: Faced with the threat of a boycott,

Angostura Ltd. has pulled a two-page advertisement from the Trinidad Express,

after the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha complained it was inappropriate. The ad was

promoting the company's "Spirit of Christmas, The Divine Child" exhibit, and

included various religious images, from Jesus Christ to Lord Krishna. The

references appeared alongside pictures of Angostura's rums. Maha Sabha

Secretary General Sat Maharaj wrote to Angostura and described the ad as "a

shameless act designed to show the Hindu God Krishna subliminally endorsing

alcoholic products." Maharaj asked for an apology from Angostura and threatened

to organize a national "boycott of all Angostura products.Our religion and

our concept of God must not be used to sell alcohol," Maharaj said. President

of the Inter-Religious Organization, Bro. Noble Khan, supported the Maha

Sabha's position. "Advertisers of goods and services should not create an

element of distaste and disgust in promoting their products," Khan said in a

telephone interview. Angostura agreed to withdraw the ad, and Chief Operating

Officer Godfrey Bain wrote the Maha Sabha saying, "We sincerely apologize for

any discomfort which our advertisements in today's Express may have caused

yourself and the wider Hindu Community. We regret this most profoundly."

Rishikesh Ashrams Say Foreigners Staying Home Following 9/11 GO TO SOURCE

NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 25, 2002: Several top ashrams in Rishikesh, which

have in the past catered to high profile international celebrities like Drew

Barrymore, Ted Turner, Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, are reported to

have suffered heavy losses this year with the aftereffects of September 11

reducing the inflow of foreigners to a trickle. At least seven of the 269

ashrams in and around Rishikesh have been severely affected as their

transcendental and spiritual therapy courses are patronized by wealthy

Europeans and Hollywood personalities. During 2001, the seven ashrams

collectively registered 1,400 people in various disciplines. This year, they

are poised to close with the low figure of 158. According to Swami Shyamendra,

founder of the Intergalactic Culture Foundation, Rishikesh, the extent of

terrorism in this part of the world has kept people away. "The Western mind

still hasn't come to terms with the WTC attack. For them, there is no

difference between India and

Pakistan. The fear of being treated like Daniel Pearl still haunts them. This

year we have received only five per cent of the visitors who arrived last

year," said Swami.

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2002/12/5.shtml#2

 

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