Stories about South Asia from January, 2012
Bhutan: Tobacco Act Amended!
Sonam Ongmo analyzes the latest amendment in the draconian Tobacco Act of Bhutan.
Nepal: Evolution Of Export Destination
Chandan Sapkota depicts how Nepal's export destinations evolved over the years.
Pakistan: Bigotry Or Blind Hatred?
Sana Saleem reports that on last Saturday evening a group of men attacked a church in Manghopir because children were singing carols which allegedly disrupted their prayers.
Nepal: More Powercuts
Pradeep Kumar Singh informs that the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has increased the load shedding (power cut) hours from existing 69 hours a week to 88 hours indicating severe energy shortage in the country.
Pakistan: In The Time of Rumors
Recently rumors about a military coup were being pushed along by TV channels and were all over on social media in Pakistan, especially on Twitter. The Twitterati were informing each other about the latest developments on the political front in the country.
India's Current Leadership
Atanu Dey comments on India’s current leadership: “it appears that the primary requirements for holding political power in India are a lack of common sense, common honesty and common decency.”
Bangladesh: The New Pravda
Ishtiaque opines that the Bangladeshi national TV channel has become a state propaganda machine like the Pravda.
Bangladesh: The Treasure Chest At Wari Bateshwar
Bangladesh Unlocked reports that the 11th season of excavation has opened at Wari Bateshwar archaeological site, in Narshingdhi near Dhaka.
India: Did BBC Top Gear's India Special Really Offend Indian Sensibilities?
The BBC's recently aired Top Gear India Special episode contained humor that was not well received by some Indians. The issue got complicated as the Indian High Commission in London formally complained to the BBC saying it lacked cultural sensitivity. Netizens react.
India: Andaman & Nicober Island Jarawa Tribe Video
Mariel at South Asia Fair reports that the Indian government is investigating a recently surfaced video in which the women from the Jarawa tribe in Andaman & Nicober Island were forced to dance naked waist up in front of tourists.
Pakistan: Khutba On A Plane
The life and times of two Indians in Pakistan describes an incident where a Pakistani pilot delivered a khutba (mini sermon) for 10 minutes on a regular flight.
Nepal: Editors And Twitter
Ujjwal Acharya reports that “microblogging platform Twitter has become popular among the editors in Nepal”.
Bhutan: Enjoying Snowfall
Sogyel Tobgyel posts pictures of first snowfall of this season in Bhutan.
Sri Lanka: LTTE Will Resume Arms Struggle?
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger sibling and secretary of the Defense and Urban Development ministry has a theory which has attracted a lot of debates. He mentioned in a public lecture that “overseas based LTTE linked groups were trying to encourage and facilitate a resumption of an armed struggle...
India: Power Project Threatens Wildlife Reserve In Himachal
Ravinder Makhaik reports that forest lands are being diverted for a private sector medium sized hydropower project in the Bara Bangal wildlife reserve area of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, India. This will lead to destruction of wildlife, poaching and deforestation.
India: The Curious Case of Draping Statues to Ensure Fair Elections
Netizens react to the recent order by the Indian Election Commission that all statues in the state of Uttar Pradesh of current Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati and her party symbol, the elephant, be draped by Wednesday 11 January, 2012.
Competition to Develop Low-Cost Water Purification Device
Inventors, designers, entrepreneurs from developing countries are invited by the University of South Florida's Patel Center to submit ideas for the creation of a “Smart Pot” that can purify water easily and has a similar shape as a traditional jerrycan. Winning proposals will receive up to $8,000 plus the opportunity...
Global Voices in French: Translators’ Choice 2011
In 2011, volunteer translators at Global Voices in French translated hundreds of articles and updates on world events and we'd like to say "'Merci!". We've asked them which translation struck them most, during this epic year. Here is the French translators' selection!
COP17: Young Trackers Share Final Thoughts on Climate Change Talks
Adopt a Negotiator Project trackers updated their blogs daily during the two weeks of climate change talks at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP17, held from November 28 to December 9, 2011, in South Africa. In this post we share some of their conclusions.
India: #IFeelUp Tweet-a-thon Is Underway
Sandeep Varma reports that @theviewspaper, in partnership with 7up, is hosting an interesting virtual conference during 8-10 January 2012. The #IFeelUp Tweet-a-thon is said to be the World’s largest online conference.
Pakistan: Blog Awards 2011
Mureed Bijenjo provides a critical comment on the recently announced Pakistan Blog Awards 2011.
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