Much of Boston is on lockdown, gay marriage vote sparks violence in France, Hindus prepare for the festival commemorating the birth Rama and more in today’s daily brief.
On March 27, Hindus across India and the Indian diaspora will observe Holi, a festival that in part marks the beginning of spring. In celebration, Hindu devotees spend the day smearing colored powder on each other’s faces and throwing colored water at friends and family, leading to Holi’s status as India’s “Festival of Colors.”
Local Holi celebrations often begin earlier, including Lathmar Holi in the northern Indian town of Barsana. Unique to the Lathmar Holi tradition is a ceremony where women use long sticks to beat men who sing provocative songs to invite their attention.
Santa visits the Capitol Christmas tree, a Mahatma Gandhi impersonator in India, Queen Elizabeth II checks out weapons, DR Congo conflict continues and more in today’s daily brief.
Greenpeace holds a “Toxic Thread” fashion show in China, Shiite Muslims in Kashmir remember the slaying of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, 1 million orphans in Afghanistan, 60,000 drug users in the Afghan capital city of Kabul and more in today’s daily brief.
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Members of the municipal Social Assistence department round up crack addicts for treatment, members of PETA and Greenpeace get dressed up for their causes, the Central Committee of the Communist Party’s China Executive Leadership Academy pays a visit to Mao Zedong’s old house and more in today’s daily brief.
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David Beckham’s silver package greets H&M patrons, Indian snakes greet the masses worshiping the Hindu mythology goddess Manasha, Kobe Bryant greets fans from a dragon boat in China and more in today’s daily brief.
Vietnam remembers the horrors of Agent Orange sprayed by U.S. troops in the 60′s, Indian Hindu devotees form a human pyramid during the Janmashtami celebrations, jets rehearse for the Russian Air Force’s 100th anniversary flight show and more in today’s daily brief.
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Local villagers of Assam bury an elephant, Russians celebrate Paratroopers Day, Kofi Annan steps down as the U.N.-Arab League mediator in the Syria conflict and more in today’s daily brief.
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