Stories about South Asia from August, 2008
Pakistan: In tears again
All Things Pakistan is in pain after yet another suicide bomb blast in Pakistan that killed more than 70 people: “In what continues to be war on and in Pakistan, Pakistanis continue to die. Pakistan continues to cry.”
India: Mumbai Pride
Sakshi Juneja posts some pictures of the recently concluded Queer Azadi LGBT pride march in Mumbai, India.
Bangladesh: Anti-corruption drive halted
An Ordinary Citizen reports that the much discussed corruption cases against the politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats in Bangladesh have been halted at the corridor of the High Court.
Sri Lanka: Ridi Vihare
Cerno visits a historic cave temple – the Ridi Vihare -”Silver Temple” in Sinhala and writes about it.
Nepal: New government, new challenges
Bhupendra Khanal has some suggestions for the new Nepali government in United We Blog.
India and Olympics
“Could India host an impressive Olympics?” asks mbjesq in Desicritics blog.
Bangladesh: Shab-E-Barat festivities
Dhaka Dweller Shahnaz describes how the Muslim ritual Shab-E-Barat (night of forgiveness) is celebrated in Bangladesh and posts pictures and narratives of the traditional food culture it entails.
Pakistan: Musharraf's complicated legacy
Five Rupees analyzes Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf's complicated legacy and comments “it is crucial that the Pakistani public and media demand from the newly elected civilian leaders the same standard of accountability that they did so vociferously against Musharraf.”
India: All about a block of ice
Indian Muslims Blog provides an insight into the ongoing agitation in Jammu region in India telling that its “all about a block of ice“. The blog also posts some pictures of a protest in Kashmir.
Maldives: The real concern
“A few millimeter rise in sea level could submerge most of Maldives,” and yet “Maldives has become a political battleground for it’s parties. Everyone is busy playing their part in this battle. No one is concerned about anything else.” complains Naxeem in the post ‘Save Maldives today‘.
Pakistan: Fighting economic downfall
The Fiscal year 2007-08 saw a economic downfall in Pakistan including a double figure inflation rate. In Chowrangi blog Ambreen Kazmi has some suggestions for the government showing how to counter all these challenges.
India: Matchmaker of the outsourcing industry
A Time to Reflect bumps into a marriage portal for the Indian BPOs (business process outsourcing employees), ‘a place to find your BPO soulmate'?
Bangladesh: Where is the gold medalist?
In the 2002 Commonwealth Games in shooting category, this years Beijing Olympic gold medal winner Abhinav Bindra of India won the silver medal and Asif Hossain Khan from Bangladesh won the gold. “Where was Asif in Beijing?” asks Mezba and finds out the sad truth.
India: Stopped trains in Kerala leave passengers stranded
The following video uploaded by YouTube user peshaku shows irate commuters at the Angamali railway station in the southern Indian province of Kerala after they have been stranded due to a particular type of protest where workers cease operations. This phenomenon is called Harthal (Hartal) and it has become a constant problem in Kerala.
China: India-US nuclear deal
While anticipating a question regarding China in Katie Couric's upcoming interview of American presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain, Out Of The Way blogger Ellaconic has instead opted to look toward India and a less-observed issue, and presents a lot of background which led up to the recently-approved India-US...
Pakistan: What next after Musharraf?
Kamla Bhatt posts a round-up of international media reactions on Pakistan President Musharraf's resignation.
Bhutan: Reduced Maternity Leave?
Recently Bhutan government has proposed reduction of maternity leave from 3 months to 45 days only in a draft revision of the labor act. Tshokey in Kuzu Bhutan weblog builds a case against the reduction stating why the leave is important for the newborn and the mother and what the...
Nepal: A new Prime Minister
Kathmundu Speaks on the new Nepali Prime Minister, the Maoist leader Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal): “I'd be really happy if he fulfills his promises. But there's much to be done besides politics.”
Sri Lanka: Lunar Eclipse pictures
Shehal of kanabona.com witnessed the partial Lunar eclipse on August 17th in Sri Lanka and posts some beautiful photographs of the eclipse.
India: Chengara land struggle
Sudeep's Diary analyzes the ongoing struggle for land in Chengara, Pathnamtitta district, Kerala by landless Dalits and Adviasis (indigenous people) and informs that “women are being abducted and raped, and men kidnapped in an attempt to kill the struggle”.
Bangladesh: Is SAARC a paper tiger?
Ahmede Hussain of Black and Gray writes on the recently concluded South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) summit in Colombo and comments, “SAARC leadership must show brinkmanship to make the region an economic powerhouse.”