Stories about South Asia from November, 2013
Economic Challenges For The New Nepali Government
Economic blogger Chandan Sapkota lists major economic issues the newly elected Constituent Assembly members will be facing as they commence their work.
A Durian Village In Sri Lanka
In Southern parts of Sri Lanka the cultivation of Durian, regarded by many in southeast Asia as the “king of fruits”, is becoming popular as it has export demands. The...
Nepali Cricket Team Headed to Twenty20 World Cup After Historic Win
Playing as an underdog the Himalayan country secured a berth at the next years Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. The netizens are rejoicing this surprise feat.
Uncertainty And Hope During Elections in Nepal
Nepal's elections to choose a new Constituent Assembly were finally held on 19 November 2013. The new assembly will be tasked with drafting Nepal's much awaited Constitution.
Pakistan Government Blames Social Media for Fanning Sectarian Clashes
Following a deadly sectarian clash in Rawalpindi city, manipulated photos of the event quickly spread on social media, inspiring false 'revenge' attacks in different parts of Pakistan, according to authorities.
Brain Drain Or Brain Save
Indrajit Samarajiva refutes the notion that Sri Lankan talents invariably end up migrating in a foreign nation resulting in brain drain. In fact talent is there among: Not only professionals...
Sri Lanka: Debate On Legalizing Sex as a Profession
“Sex work finds its place in the underbelly of most societies, more so in conservative cultures like that of Sri Lanka,” comments Shilpa Samaratunge at Groundviews. The question remains whether...
PHOTOS: Dhaka's Beautiful Blue Sky Briefly Takes Over Web
The autumn sky above Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka was so beautiful on 17 November that social media was flooded with images and talk about the scene.
VIDEO: Fighting Pakistan's YouTube Ban, One Hug at a Time
A YouTube mascot roams Karachi in protest of Pakistan's ban of the video-sharing website in a recently released clip. "If you want me back, hug me," the mascot says.
Pakistan's IMF Bailout Brings Painful Rise in Inflation
As Pakistan attempts to keep the International Monetary Fund happy by slashing subsidies, hiking power tariffs and increasing revenue, inflation has grown sharply, severely impacting ordinary citizens.
PHOTOS: Voters Turn Out in Droves for Nepal's Constituent Assembly Elections
A record 70 percent turnout was recorded in Nepal's first post-monarchy elections. Will this assembly accomplish what the last could not and draft a constitution?
Bangladesh: Is Restorative Justice the Best Way Forward?
In the backdrop of Bangladesh’s violent history of birth, ongoing violent political practices, and high rates of homicide, mob violence, neighborhood/street violence, violent labor unrests, family violence and intimate partner...
Bhutan's Hydroelectric Projects and a Kingfisher
The Bhutanese people are slowly beginning to realize that the hydropower projects will, over time, not only ruin our environment but will also be the cause of the loss of...
Australian Prime Minister Downplays Sri Lankan Torture Allegations
Many Australians were flabbergasted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott's conciliatory remarks about torture and other human rights abuses allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan government
Discovering the Bouquinistes of Colombo
Paris may be famous for its bouquinistes, stalls selling second hand and antiquarian books lining the banks of the River Seine, but Colombo also has them. They don’t line the...
Tendulkar's Retirement: ‘Cricket Will Never Be the Same’
In some ways my feelings towards Tendulkar were ambivalent and they oscillated between love and dislike, depending whether he was playing against Pakistan or not! Whereas the feeling has oscillated,...
Cricket Icon Sachin Tendulkar Awarded India's Highest Civilian Award
Social Media went abuzz with congratulatory messages as India's ace cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar retired from the game and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, shortly after.
VIDEO: Tear-jerking Google ‘Reunion’ Ad Warms Hearts Across India and Pakistan
An emotional ad by Google India showing how their search engine can help reconnect long lost friends across borders has gone viral across India and Pakistan.
India: Sixty Million Diabetics And Growing
With over 60 million diabetics [pdf] and another estimated 77 million people being considered pre-diabetic, India is caught in the throes of a diabetes crisis. On World Diabetes Day on...
Infographic: Pakistan's Failing Education System
Sixty-nine percent of women and 50 percent of men in Pakistan cannot read or write according to Alif Ailaan (A for announcement), an alliance for education reform leading a communication...
Bangladesh’s Hijras Win Official Recognition as Separate Gender
The country's decision comes not long after Germany's announcement that it will begin to offer a third gender option on birth certificates.
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