Stories about South Asia from January, 2016
Coldplay's New Video Featuring Beyonce Faces Backlash for Alleged Stereotyping of Indian Culture
"Beyonce's video is a problem because it's reductive, and uses India as a prop for capitalist gain. A land and culture she has no right to."
Why I Went Into Exile: A Bangladeshi Blogger Tells His Story
"...[the assailants] want our keyboards, pens to stop...Now its the time to write even more...Otherwise the darkness will win, religious fundamentalism and extremism will win."
Thanks to the New York Public Library, India’s Bygone Days Are Just a Click Away
The New York Public Library has released more than 180,000 digitized items in the public domain. Readers can now access and download these archived materials from the library for free.
Social Media Slams India's Judgmental Journalist
"I wasn’t abused, I wasn’t beaten, I wasn’t molested, I wasn’t raped.” Actor Sunny Leone has moved beyond her porn star past -- why can't the journalist who interviewed her?
Climate Change Continued to Rear Its Ugly Head in 2015
People around the world were affected by extreme weather events in 2015, the hottest year on record ever.
Can Our Children Be Safe? Pakistanis Ask After University Attack
"This is going to be a test.. a harsh one.. comparisons will be drawn.. you can't have winners when children have been snatched from parents"
Internet Censorship in Pakistan is Not Just About YouTube
If at all, Internet regulation in Pakistan has been based on ad-hoc decisions that are made in the absence of transparency and accountability.
A Tragic Suicide at a University Puts the Spotlight on Discrimination Against Dalits in India
"What happened with #RohitVemula should not happen with anyone. We can't progress until every citizen of India has equal rights!"
An Indian Student Blogs About Being Ostracised and Bullied After Reporting Sexual Abuse
The female film student accused her professor of forcing her to have sex with him, but when she spoke up she said the student body turned on her.
Printers Censor Another New York Times Article, Shedding Light on Pakistan's Stifled Speech Environment
"...this blank space in the newspaper speaks volumes about the conditions under which we live and write in Pakistan today."
Indians and Pakistanis Hope to Take Their Countries From Rivals to Friends
"India and Pakistan are sister nations.. We have so much in common.. A united India-Pakistan will be better for everyone :)"
A China-Financed Economic Corridor Brings Promise and Discord to Pakistan
Can Pakistan's regions and political parties come to a consensus over who should benefit most from the mega-project? That seems unlikely for the moment.
Netizen Report: Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ App is Under Fire in India, Offline in Egypt
Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Pakistanis Weigh In on Saudi Arabia and Iran's Diplomatic Break-Up
"In the Iran vs Saudi debate we should side with New Zealand. Be as far away from it as possible."
Powerful Quake Leaves Several Dead and Scores Injured Across India and Bangladesh
"The earthquake was like alarm...woke everyone up, here in Bangladesh. Waiting for the aftershocks of this quake now. Be safe, everyone."
ISIS is Alive and Well in Pakistan Despite Persistent Government Denials
As the world was gearing up to celebrate New Year, news broke in Pakistan that twenty people from Lahore, including women and children, had travelled to Syria to join ISIS.
Afghanistan's National Football Team the Pride of a Nation, Even in Defeat
"Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai watched @SAFFSuzukiCup #football match from his home sitting on a mattress with green tea."
As the Number of Widows Grows, Widowhood Is Changing in Nepal
Thousands of men leave Nepal every year to work abroad. They send money to their families — but sometimes they don't return. This has deep repercussions for their wives.
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