Stories about South Asia
2 November 2018
A project in Nepal is documenting and sharing testimonials from the 10-year armed conflict
A project is sharing video, audio and photo testimonials from around Nepal -- paying homage to the memory of survivors, victims, and affected families of the conflict.
“The people's voices” prevail: Sri Lanka's prime ministerial crisis to be put to a parliamentary vote
Sri Lanka's political crisis is halted as the president schedules a parliamentary vote to decide who should be the country's prime minister.
31 October 2018
One dead in Sri Lanka amidst a constitutional crisis
Power struggle between ousted Sri Lankan PM and newly appointed PM has led to the death of a protester in Colombo.
23 October 2018
Landslide victory for Bhutan's centre-left party following peaceful general elections
This is only the third democratic elections to take place in the tiny, landlocked South Asian country since it abolished its Monarchy and adopted a new constitution in 2008.
15 October 2018
Pashtun human rights activist detained at Islamabad airport, released after social media pressure
Gulalai Ismail is a well-known Pashtun human rights activist and founder of Seeds of Peace network.
8 October 2018
Journalists across India share their testimony on the deteriorating state of media — and vow to fight back
Four journalists have been killed because of their work in 2018. Killings have evoked public outrage, but little response from the government.
7 October 2018
Despite proven flaws, India's biometric ID scheme was upheld by the Supreme Court. Now what?
Legal scholars and social scientists are likely to pore over this significant judgment for its far-reaching impact on civil liberties and socio-economic issues.
3 October 2018
Nepal roars with pride to become the first country to double its wild tigers by 2022
"We are proud to have helped protect these endangered cats. It’s good for conservation and for tourism."
28 September 2018
Indian football is fighting a losing battle to keep its fans
A decent outing for the national team at next year's AFC Asian Cup might help lift some of the gloom surrounding the sport.
Free speech advocates say Bangladesh's new Digital Security Act is ‘ripe for abuse’
"Journalism is surely not for increasing conflict, or for tarnishing the image of the country," said PM Hasina, in response to critics.
25 September 2018
Nepalese citizens fight against impunity with the “Rage Against Rape” campaign
"...what is happening to girls who are suffering in silence? Are we always going to play reactionary politics or improve our justice system?"
23 September 2018
A sea-change in Maldives politics as opposition presidential candidate declares a win
As of 2 a.m. in the Maldives (GMT+5) Solih "said he had won by a 16 percent margin over incumbent Abdulla Yameen" and urged for a peaceful transition.
19 September 2018
Riverbank erosion disaster in Bangladesh leaves thousands homeless
"The devastating erosion of the Padma River is ongoing for the last couple of years, no initiative to build a dam or embankment was taken by the local administration."
15 September 2018
Protestors artfully demand the release of Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh's prisoner of conscience
"When a regime is governed by nothing but fear, it is often a sign that the regime might have lost its plot."
13 September 2018
Meet Ujwol Dangol, founder of Kathmandu's first skate park
Despite skate's growing popularity around the world -- even set to debut in the summer Olympics in 2020 in Tokyo --, in Nepal, it is still somewhat associated with criminality.
12 September 2018
Pakistan government's pro-minority stance questioned as Ahmadi economist's appointment is revoked
The appointment of Ahmadi Muslim economist Dr. Atif Mian to a government Council sparked a social media smear campaign, and right-wing religious parties threatened nationwide protests.
7 September 2018
It is now legal to be gay in India
"For 29 years, I have lived in the shadow of this law, and now, just like that, it’s gone."
South Asian governments keep ordering internet shutdowns — and leaving users in the dark
“Operators owe complete transparency to their users, as consumers who are paying them money and also in the interest of accountability.”
3 September 2018
Kashmiri journalist arrested after reporting on slain rebel, Burhan Wani
“By reporting on militant activity, Sultan is performing an important public service, not committing a crime.”
2 September 2018
For most Sri Lankans, bribery is just a fact of life
The establishment of a new Special High Court dedicated exclusively to hear cases of corruption spurs debate about the phenomenon's ubiquity in all sectors of society.
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