Stories about South Asia from July, 2013
India Sees Dolphins as “Non-human Persons”
The eco-friendly blog Treehugger salutes the Indian law that now sees dolphins as “non-human persons”. This law shows India's leading role in many rights-based arguments: (…) India became the largest of four countries to ban the practice — which includes Costa Rica, Hungary, and Chile. (…) [The] (…) thoughtful reasoning...
Racist Slur As A Brand Name
Abdul Halik writes about reactions to a brand of dates marketed in Sri Lanka which sounds like a well-known and highly derogatory term referring to Muslims. The blogger analyses the situation in the context of the recent rise of racism and hate speech against Muslims in Sri Lanka from a...
Bangladesh Experiences Second Stage Of Cyber Crime
Recently Bangladesh police arrested four persons for credit card skimming fraud. They have siphoned millions of Bangladeshi Taka from ATMs of different banks. Blogger and assistant professor of University of Alabama Computer and Information Science Ragib Hasan writes in Somewhereinblog.net blogging polatform [bn]: […] ২য় পর্যায়ে শুরু হয়েছে ফিনান্সিয়াল সাইবারক্রাইম,...
Top Ten Eateries In Dhaka Town
Expat Mikkela Thompson completed her goal of trying 100 eateries in Dhaka in 18 months. She compiles a list of top ten restaurants in the Bangladesh capital in her blog M's Adventures.
Is India Biting Off More Than It Can Chew with its New Food Security Bill?
The National Food Security Ordinance 2013 recently effected by India's government will provide food subsidies for two out of three Indians. Can India afford it?
Bangladeshi Blogger Writes About Prison Experience
Bangladeshi Blogger and activist Asif Mohiuddin, the winner of the best social activism blog from the Deutsche Welle Best Of Blogs Awards 2012, was arrested last April on charges of “hurting religious sentiment of Muslims through writing”. He has been released under bail and is now writing about his experiences...
VIDEO: Pakistani TV Host Gives Away Babies on Primetime Ramadan Show
Televangelist Dr. Amir L. Hussain has gifted two babies during the month of Ramadan in an attempt to boost viewership during the Islamic holy month's fierce battle for ratings.
Bhutan's First Female Minister
According to Bhutan's Buddhist traditions and values men and women are seen as equals. However, women are rarely seen in high positions. Blogger Nawang P. Phuntsho celebrates election of the country's first female minister. Aum Dorji Choden, an MP elect from Trashigang, has recently been appointed as the Minister for...
Lesbian Couple Arrested After Marrying in Secret in Bangladesh
The women's marriage is being described as the country's first same-sex marriage. Bangladesh's laws criminalize homosexual relationships with life imprisonment.
Water Shortage Crisis Looms Large In Bangalore, India
With rapid growth, polluted bodies of water, and few solutions in place, water is becoming scarce in India's third largest city.
Mumbai Restaurant Forced to Pull Political Food Bills
The restaurant was forced to shut down after it mentioned government corruption and criticized a new "air-conditioned eatery tax" on its bills that were being handed out to customers.
Indian MP Crowdsources Questions for Parliament
Indian Member of Parliament (MP) Rajeev Chandrasekhar has started an initiative called ASK (Ask Seek Know) through which he welcomes questions and queries from citizens via his website, Facebook, and Twitter for discussion in the Parliament, reports Media Nama.
Violence Against Children Rampant in India's Kerala
Five-year-old Shafiq, who is fighting for his life after being tortured by his parents, is the latest horrific case of child abuse in the state of Kerala.
Empowering Mumbai's Women Entrepreneurs Through Digital Media
Everybody has an opinion on how to be a successful woman in today's world, but only few actually become successful. Roshan Radhakrishnan gives details about an open house discussion to empower women entrepreneurs through social and digital media which will take place in Mumbai, India on 27 July, 2013.
Pakistani Journalist Takes on Taliban Militant for Malala
As a Taliban militant writes an open letter to Malala, urging her to return home and continue her education, a well-respected Pakistani journalist responds with advising him against picking a fight with Pakistani women.
Pakistani Taliban Militant Writes an Open Letter to Malala
The militant urges Malala to return home and continue her education at a madrassa and reveal the conspiracy of a 'tiny elite who want to enslave the whole humanity."
Tainted School Lunches Kill Nearly Two Dozen Children in India
The food is believed to have been contaminated by pesticides. The incident is raising questions about the quality of school lunches for poor students.
Taking ‘Long Walk of Hope’ Across Sri Lanka for Cancer Patients
A retired army major trekked more than 750 km to raise funds for cancer patients.
Cave Temple in Sri Lanka
Uditha Wijesena informs that Dambulla cave temple is the best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka.
Reflections On Social Media Day Colombo 2013
The Social Media Day Colombo 2013 took place on June 30, 2013 at Park Street Mews in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Tech blogger Amitha Amarasinghe reflects on the days proceedings. Photos can be found at the event's Facebook page.