Stories about South Asia from June, 2009
Pakistan: Taliban Internal Conflict
Kalsoom at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan analyzes the assassination of Taliban commander Qari Zainuddin, a rival of the leading Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.
Russia-India: A medieval journey to India
Jost A Mon discusses his own and other translations of the 15th century memoirs of Russian merchant's Nikitin odyssey to India and elsewhere.
India Bans Maoist Organisation
Aaman Lamba at Desicritics reports that “India brought the CPI-Maoist, an extremist left wing group into the list of terrorist outfits banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act”.
Nepal: The Future Of The Madhesi Movement
Democracy For Nepal discusses the future of the Madhesi movement in Nepal.
Pakistan: Cricket On Twitter Trending
Teeth Maestro reports that some Pakistani bloggers launched an e-rally using Twitter in support of their national Team in the Twenty20 World Cup Final. The result was evident as #PakCricket appeared at no. 8 on Twitter trending as Pakistanis followed the game and celebrated their victory over Sri Lanka.
India: Queer Pride 2009
Sanjukta at This Is My Truth informs that “India prepares for a never before celebration of Queer Pride with events and pride marches being planned in all of the 5 metros.”
Sri Lanka: State of The Civilians In Vanni
Rohini Hensman from Sri Lanka asks “why are the Vanni civilians still being held hostage?”
Pakistan: Thanking Angelina Jolie
Adil Najam at All Things Pakistan thanks Hollywood actress and international celebrity Angelina Jolie who announced a US$ 1 million donation to help the internally displaced Pakistanis.
India: When Diplomats Show Arrogance
The New Horizon criticizes the comments of Pinak Chakravarty, the Indian ambassador to Bangladesh, on the Tipaimukh Dam. The Indian blogger opines: “I think it is part (of) Indian policy to show arrogance against neighbors”.
India: RIP Sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan
“Thank you Khan sahib for sharing your wonderful music and gift with so many people,” with these words of appreciation mourns Kamla Bhatt the internationally renowned Sarod Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, who passed away on the 18th of June. Here is an interview with Ali Akbar Khan by Kamla Bhatt.
India, Bangladesh: East Or West, Bengal Is The Best
Painter, photographer and blogger Ujwala Prabhu published a photo book titled East or West, Bengal is the best! based on photographs taken over a 3 week period in India and Bangladesh.
Nepal: The Musicians
Kathmandu Blogger writes about the unsung heroes of Nepali Weddings, the musicians.
Pakistan: Karachi Without Power
On the 17th of June Karachi witnessed the worst power breakdown which lasted about one day. Raja Islam at Karachi Metblogs liveblogged the power outage. Doodh Patti posts pictures showing some people sleeping on pavement outside their residences to beat the heat.
Bangladesh: Back From No Wo/man's Land
Renowned photojournalist and blogger Shahidul Alam, who was arrested by Indian border guards first and later by Bangladesh police, has been released on bail and has written in his blog about the incident.
India: Doing Something For The Country
Parth Dave at The Indian World introduces an website titled One Letter A Week (ONLW) which aims at addressing socio-economic or cultural issues of India by encouraging readers to write a letter each week to the respective authorities and publish them in the site.
Pakistan: Enriching Google Map Data
Pro Pakistani informs that “Pakistani netizens are posting more localized information and data to the Google’s ‘map maker’ than the web users of any of the 160 countries”.
Bangladesh: Daylight Saving Time
The Bangladesh government has decided to implement daylight savings for the first time starting midnight on Friday, June 19, 2009. Expat blogger Estelle Visagie wonders how the people of Bangladesh will cope with the changes.
India: Failure Is Not An Option
India, the defending champion, was out of this year's Twenty20 World Cup cricket tournament early. No wonder the cricket crazy nation is buzzing with the discussion “what went wrong”. Blogbharti summarizes some bloggers’ reactions.
Pakistan: Chinese And Japanese Characters On Public Transport
Doodh Patti notices that “over the past few years, Chinese and Japanese characters have increasingly appeared on Pakistani public transport as decorations.”
Bhutan: Unmatchable Rural Hospitality
Dorji Wangchuk is amazed by the hospitality of the people from the rural areas of Bhutan and proposes that the urban Bhutanese should find some ways to reciprocate that gesture by helping the rural people.
Pakistan: Volunteers For IDPs in Swat Region
Chowrangi blog calls for coordination and collaboration between volunteers engaged in the relief works for the IDPs of Swat and Malakand in Pakistan.