Friday, March 29, 2024
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White House hears echoes of  Vedic peace prayer
New York: The Vedic Shanti Paath, derived from the Yajurveda, was recited at the White House during the National Day of Prayer by a pujari from a Swaminarayan temple.
Introducing the peace prayer at the multi-religious service on Thursday, Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt said, “In these troubled times of COVID-19, social distancing, and the lockdown, it’s not unusual for people to feel anxious or not at peace.”
Making a spiritual prescription for these troubled times, he said, “The Shanti Paath, or the peace prayer, is a prayer that does not seek worldly riches, success, fame, nor is it a prayer for any desire for heaven. It is a beautiful Hindu prayer for peace.
Brahmbatt is from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
Representatives of various Christian sects, Judaism and Islam participated in the service with US President Donald Trump.
Religion plays a central role in public affairs in the US and has evolved from dominance by protestant denominations to being more inclusive with the participation of other Christian sects and other religions.
Both chambers of Congress and several state legislatures start their sessions with a prayer.
Religion also plays an open role in election campaigns. (IANS)

With fewer humans to fear, flamingos flock to Albania lagoon
Narta (Albania): Home confinement rules have upset some people in Albania, but humans getting their wings clipped during the coronavirus pandemic has allowed flamingos and other birds to flourish in a coastal lagoon by the Adriatic Sea.
Local officials and residents say the flamingo population is up to about 3,000 at Narta Lagoon, an important waterfowl habitat that greater flamingos returned to in recent years after a long absence.
Bird watchers also have noticed more pelicans, herons and other species this spring at the 28-square-kilometer (10-square-mile) lagoon, which is 145 kilometers (90 miles) south of Tirana, the capital. “Isn’t that beautiful to see fearless flamingos all around?”
Dhimiter Konomi, part of a local group that manages commercial fishing in Narta Lagoon, said as the big, long-necked birds stood in the shallow water. Operations halting at a nearby saltworks and reduced human activity of all types during the pandemic explains why birds are flocking to the lagoon, said Nexhip Hysolokaj, a regional biodiversity expert.
Flamingos are “a very delicate species,” and not having vehicles or visitors around suits them, he said.
“They have found food and calmness, and that has likely helped them increase the numbers,” Hysolokaj said.

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