Stories about South Asia from July, 2012
Pakistan: The business Of Ramadan
Samra Muslim at Pak Tea House writes that the month of Ramadan is not important for religious reasons but it is the month of business all around creating a lot of commotion in the economy of Pakistan.
Nepal: Lumbini Impressions – An Opportunity Lost
Ujjwal Acharya opines that “a little more focus on development of Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha) could bring fortunes to Nepal in religious tourism and important history to the insight of Buddha’s life to the world.
Pakistan: Hindu Boy Converted to Islam in Live Telecast
A Ramadan special on a private TV channel is making news in Pakistan. Controversial TV show host Maya Khan, invited a religious scholar to convert a young Hindu boy to Islam live on her show. But some say the conversion was forced.
London: Triumph Beyond Medals for Bangladeshis
Five Bangladeshi athletes are in London to participate in the 2012 Olympics. Bangladeshis are not optimistic that their athletes will come back with medals. However, this is not the end of the Olympic dream for Bangladesh. Their main triumph is not on the field, but off the field.
Bangladesh, Myanmar: Rohingya Repression in International Spotlight
Protests are happening around the world against Rohingya repression. Six weeks after clashes between Rohingya and Rakhaine broke out in Western Myanmar, more than 100 people have been killed and 50,000 are estimated to have been displaced.
Video: Let's go to Markets Around the World
Markets are full of colors, sounds and life, no matter where in the world they are. Join us as we visit - through images and videos - markets in El Salvador, Mexico, India, Indonesia and Thailand.
Bangladesh: Revenue Collection – A Success Story
J Rahman at Mukti depicts that the revenue growth of the Bangladesh government is on the rise due to the steps taken by the National Board of Revenue.
Bangladesh: Growing Internet Trends
Nazimuddaula Milon posts an unique insight into how users within Bangladesh and abroad use the internet.
London Olympics: Ambush Marketers Be Warned!
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has taken stringent measures to try to ensure no ‘ambush marketing’ tactics are used during the London 2012 Olympics. A common feature at modern major sporting events, ambush marketers try to sneak in promotions of their brands and companies in front of the crowd and, most importantly, the TV cameras. Sports law bloggers and marketers posted their opinions on ambush marketing and the London Olympics.
India: Ethnic Clashes in Assam
Fighting between indigenous Bodo tribes and Muslim settlers in the Indian State of Assam killed at least 32 people and wounded many more. Approx. 70,000 villagers have fled their homes since the violence started and taken shelter in relief camps. More than 60 villages belonging to both Bodos and Muslims in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts were ransacked or burned.
Bangladesh: Despite Obstacles, Girls Outshine Boys in National Exams
According to the recently published results of the Higher Secondary examinations in Bangladesh girls have done better than the boys. In the past few years there has been a rise in the success rate of female students in public examinations due to several steps taken by the government.
India: Fellowships At Pad.ma
Kracktivist informs that Pad.ma, an online archive of densely text-annotated video material, is offering Fellowship to Indian and non-Indian individuals for experiments and research with video archives.
Sri Lanka: Remembering 23rd Of July 1983
Shubha remembers the dark days of the Sinhalese-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka which began on the 23rd of July 1983, in the aftermath of a funeral of 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers, who were ambushed and killed by the LTTE in Jaffna.
India: Female Gendercide in Western Countries
Rita Banerji interviews Indo-Canadian and feminist artist Soraya Nulliah, who comments that everything the campaign against female gendercide in India addresses is happening to Indian women in Western countries as well.
Bangladesh: Dhaka Becomes Capital of Islamic Culture
The Bangladesh capital Dhaka has been declared as the capital of Islamic culture along with two other cities by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO). Dhaka is termed as the city of mosques, but many of the centuries old mosques are in dilapidated state.
Pakistan: Polio Vaccination Ban Affects 240,000 Children
The lives of 240,000 innocent children are at stake due to the recent ban on Polio inoculation by the Taliban in the region of FATA. The militants also consider this anti-polio campaign as an act of espionage, and the tribal leaders are backing them.
Pre-Olympics 2012: What’s Buzzing
With the 2012 London Olympics drawing closer, activities relating to the Games are heightening every day. From countries participating in the Games to their athletes preparing to score their best, the world's online audience is coming alive and getting ready for this extravaganza.
Bangladesh: Mourning the Death of a Legend
Bangladesh's most famous writer and film maker has died from colon cancer. Humayun Ahmed was a popular author, playwright and film director. Tributes are pouring in for the creator of iconic characters Himu, Misir Ali, and Baker Bhai, from mourning fans on social networking sites.
Video: Internet Society Discusses International Freedom of Speech and Censorship
Will the technologies of anonymization win out over new digital monitoring tools? And will new wireless data technologies foster democracy–or lead to more effective tracking and surveillance? A panel discussion in Washington, DC on 25 June, 2012 with 6 activists from Syria, India, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Venezuela and Azerbaijan aimed to answer these questions.
Sri Lanka: The Disappearing Dogs Of Colombo City
Since 2010 the Colombo City Corporation has been removing stray dogs from the streets of Colombo and whereabouts of them are unknown. People are worried about the fate of the canines, reports Canging Perspectives blog.
Maldives: Activist's Arrest During Protest Caught on Video
Two videos showing the July 13 arrest of activist Shauna Aminath in the Maldives during a peaceful protest calling for early elections have generated reactions all the way to Chile. While Shauna was released the following day after a court hearing, the Maldives Democracy Movement believes it is part of targeted arrests and intimidation of female protesters.
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