Stories about South Asia from May, 2014
Alternative Voices Speaking For A Secular Bangladesh
Bangladeshi liberal humanist, free-thinker and award winning blogger Asif Mohiuddin has been invited to speak at the World Humanist Congress 2014 in Oxford, UK. He was arrested multiple times for his alleged ‘anti-state’ and ‘anti-religious’ writings, attacked by fundamentalists, and is living with death threats. Here is an excerpt from...
Muslims Flee After Separatists Kill 32 in India
Armed Bodo separatists fired indiscriminately at Muslim settlers and torched homes in three different attacks. They were allegedly targeted for their voting choice in the recently concluded elections.
The Pissing Tanker is on a Mission to Stop Public Urination in India
Public urination is a problem in India, and efforts to solve the issue haven't had much impact. Enter the Pissing Tanker.
Pakistan: Confessed Serial Killer of Gay Men Used Social Website to Lure Victims
The accused killer said he wanted to send a message about the evils of pedophilia. Some LGBT activists fear he might be hailed as a hero.
Bangladesh's LGBT Community Steps Out in Rainbow Colors for New Year's
In Muslim-majority Bangladesh, homosexuality is considered to be unacceptable socially and religiously, and gay sex is illegal.
The Bengali Tradition of Halkhata, New Accounts Ledger
The centuries old Bengali new years celebrations include an important tradition, opening the Halkhata, a new ledger book for the year for the businesses. Blog Amader Kotha explains what Halkhata is. The traditional red color ledger book signifies the marking of a new beginning and the festivities, rituals, hopes and...
Online Tools And Resources For Learning Bangla Language
Kolkata based British expat blog My Bangla Diary posts an interview with Steve Capell, the creator of Bangla Tangla. This resourceful website by Capell contains useful tools and contents for learning Bangla (Bengali) language online.