Stories about South Asia from March, 2006
Pakistan: Blogging and after
Shirazi responds to a questionnaire on blogging in Pakistan, and provides answers to questions on the Pakistani blogosphere, the future for Pakistani bloggers and a comparison with blogs from elsewhere.
Sri Lanka: NGOs
Hell's Dire Agent on NGOs in the aftermath of the Tsunami, the role they play in the civil society and the legitimacy required. “NGOs need to be examined as entities that are serious political actors alongside political parties, politicians and the institutional organs of the State.”
India: Sexual harassment
The Commonwealth Games begins with the news of a person on the Indian contingent being held for sexually harassing a woman. More at Blogpourri.
Pakistan: The future
Pickled Politics on the future of Pakistan, Musharraf and South Asia.
Bangladesh: Affinity credit card
Drishtipat Group Blog on an affinity Credit Card for Bangladesh – “Each time a consumer uses the affinity card for a purchase, a balance transfer or a cash advance, the bank donates a percentage of the amount to the organization.”
India, Pakistan: Vintage Car Rally
myHimachal Blog on a vintage car rally in the Himalayas that starts in Pakistan and goes on into India.
Commonwealth Games
Regan liveblogs the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, which took place last night in Melbourne, Australia.
India: Ideas to campaign against street harassment
After the exceptional response to the Blog-a-thon on street harassment, the Blank Noise Project invites ideas on campaigns, opinion polls and specific activities that could be undertaken to carry on the awareness and advocacy.
Nepal: Maoists on the move
United We Blog! with a photo-post on – “Images from around Nepal that tell the stories of sufferings and depict the activities of CPN Maoist rebels who are launching a ‘people’s war’ to overthrow the monarchy.“
Sri Lanka: 8% you say!
Janapathi on the figure of 8% economic growth in Sri Lanka as stated by the Finance Secretary and the facts behind this seemingly positive figure.
Sri Lanka: From Wadduwa
Webhamuva has an update from Wadduwa on post-Tsunami reconstruction.
Bangladesh: Tagore in a podcast
Bongo Vongo presents podcasts of Rabindranath Tagore's work -“This first of that series is from a collection of his short stories which were published in the west around 1916 and entitled ‘The Hungry Stones and Other Stories’.”
India: Slum demolition
The Other India on a slum-demolition from the perspective of a person who teaches some of the young children through an NGO programme.
India: Picking up the phone
Charu wonders why Mobile phone companies seem to suddenly advocate sensible mobile phone usage and behaviour.
Bangladesh: Migrant Labour
imperfect world 2006 on Bangladeshi migrant labour, with a feature on a person who worked in Jordan. – “It is the only good memory he holds of Jordan despite the trouble he got into with it. The other recollections are of beatings and jail.”
Nepal: Colours and Holi
Even as Nepal pulls through violence and conflict, the festival of Holi brings some respite. Photo post at United We Blog!
Pakistan: Basant celebrations
Shirazi at Light Within weaves brilliant images of Basant and celebrations in Pakistan.
India: The Fabulous Prime Minister
The indulgence of politicians is well documented and for all to see. Ram has the opportunity to share flight time with the premier from another part of the world and is impressed by relative simplicity of Finland Prime Minister's entourage.
India: Meetup in DC
India: Meetup in DC
Bangladesh: Farakka Barrage
Razib has a post based on another article on the very delicate issue of the Farakka Barrage, and water politics between India and Bangladesh.
India: Computers and Employment
Charu on a venture that seeks to link women who seek employment as domestic help to families who are on-the-lookout for employees and has grave doubts.