· May, 2011

Stories about South Asia from May, 2011

Sri Lanka: Transparency Regarding ‘Boot Camp’ For Youth

  20 May 2011

Serendipity discusses about the issues surrounding the latest “Boot Camp” initiative for A level students in Sri Lanka, which is an in house 3 week course at an army camp. The actual program and plan has not been publicized leaving scope for speculations and rumors.

Bhutan: Another Royal Wedding

  20 May 2011

Bhutanese Member of Parliament Sangay Khandu informs in a blog post about the royal address of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (31), in which he declared his wedding with Jetsun Pema.

Nepal: Social Media As A Civic Activism Tool

  18 May 2011

On Saturday May 7, 2011, hundreds gathered at a public square in Kathmandu demanding that the constitution be drafted by the May 28 deadline. This event was unique to Nepali activism and political scene because social networking site Facebook played vital role in organizing and encouraging the participants.

India: Kerala Election Results With A Subtle Warning

  18 May 2011

As the new seven member state cabinet of Kerala is to be sworn in on Wednesday the 18th of May 2011 there are no obvious signs of celebrations across the ranks. People are fed up of the usual gimmicks of money and muscle power; they are rejecting corruption and speaking up finally for their rights.

India: Taxi Cab For Women In Delhi

  14 May 2011

Shital Shah at Think Change India writes that an innovative start up in Delhi, which is training women to drive taxi cabs to provide abuse free transport for women.

India: The IPL Cheerleader Who Blogged

  14 May 2011

Hanna Ingber Win reports that The Indian Premier League (IPL) had fired a South African cheerleader after it became known that she was blogging about cricket after-parties.

India: 34 Years of Communist Rule Ends in West Bengal

  13 May 2011

West Bengal today witnessed history in the making when the Indian state's 34 year long Communist rule was ousted from power by Mamata Banerje - leader of the All India Trinamool Congress. Netizens react to this landslide victory.

Italy: How technology can help manage emergencies

  12 May 2011

In a crisis, how can Web 2.0 be of use to social movements and what practical help can it offer to facilitate collective action? In reality, there is no shortage of platforms which, established on a voluntary basis, using free software, harness the internet and mobile phones to gather and share information, sourced...

India: Privacy for the Deceased?

  12 May 2011

The accidental death of a NIT (Calicut, Kerala) research scholar has once again sparked controversies about the privacy of women, privacy of a dead person and in general about the lingering male chauvinism in Keralan society.

Pakistan: Military Using Free Email Accounts

  12 May 2011

Osama Bin Javaid criticizes Pakistan Army's use of free email servers like Hotmail and Gmail for their official purpose and reminds that these communications can be intercepted by third parties fairly easily.

Bhutan: Footwear Care

  12 May 2011

Tshering Tobgay highlights an young Bhutanese entrepreneur who after spending some jobless years became successful setting up a business to launder and refurbish traditional Bhutanese footwear.

Bangladesh: Measures Against Extra Judicial Killings

  10 May 2011

Mahadi Hasan Talukder discusses a recent report of Human Rights Watch, which recommends that to stop the extra judicial killings, the Bangladesh government should take make major steps to ensure accountability and reform in the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) forces or disband it.

About our South Asia coverage

Rezwan
Rezwan is the South Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.