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The great Indian festival of colours Holi was celebrated across the country on Sunday.

One of the most auspicious days on the Hindu calendar, the festival marks the beginning of spring and celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

"Canadian companies should formulate strategic plans to do business with India as the country was emerging as, 'a land of opportunity'," Premier of Canadian province of Ontario Dalton McGuinty said.

Hinduism, one of the oldest religions of the world, is now a subject of study at the University of Sydney.Julian Droogan, a lecturer with the department of studies in religion, will take a group of his students for a tour of the local Sri Venkateswara temple to introduce them to the vibrant, dynamic and colourful world of Hinduism.

I spent nearly ten years in Christianity and eight years as pastor, but my conscious never allowed me for that fake healing, although I converted around fifty people. I very well knew that nobody could be cured by that way and the Pope John Paul, who was suffering from Parkinson, was a great example before me.

When I began reporting, I went to interview the RSS leadership in Delhi, expecting, from what I had heard, a few bloodthirsty fascists. I was surprised to meet those old daddies with their long khaki shorts, who would not hurt a fly. Twenty-five years later, the word 'Hindu Talibanisation' is being heard amidst the clamour following the odious pub episode in Mangalore. Such incidents should be condemned, as it has no precedent in Indian history—from Prithviraj Chauhan to Shivaji, Hindus respected the women of even their enemies. Yet, I beg to disagree: this is not about the Talibanisation of Hindu groups, it is about their demonisation.

A former Indian ambassador to Sweden says that if Ottavio Quattrocchi is extradited to India to face trial, his revelations may "create a storm" as he was brought into the multi billion dollar Bofors gun deal at the behest of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.