Stories about South Asia from April, 2007
Bangladesh: Liberation and India
The 3rd World View on a young Indian politician's remarks over India's role in Bangladesh's liberation. “But hey something is missing from the picture. They have wiped out the context of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the tremendous struggle of the Bangladeshis for the independence. Needless to mention the millions...
Sri Lanka: Business of News
cerno writes with cynicism and honesty about the business of news. “Unsteady blurry shots of dull buildings become reverting. A true high for the news junkies. The get out of trouble free card for the politician facing the cameras after being caught with his pants down. The death toll is...
Indian Bloggers on Virginia Tech: Stunned, sad and a million questions
The tragedy at Virginia Tech has shocked people around the world. SAJA Forum says “Bloody Monday will darken and bruise Virginia Tech forever, and at this point in time, early in the development of the story of the horrific massacre that consumed the lives of 33 people, there is only...
Virginia Tech, rumors and change: the Bangla blogosphere spans it all
Bangla blogs join the rest of the world in mourning the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. Probashi raises the issue of gun control and points out that had a gun not been accessible to the mentally unstable Cho, he would not have been able to wreak such havoc. He...
Nepal: The Elections
United We Blog! on the deferral of the Constituent Assembly elections. “What is the primary objective of the CA Elections? Are political leaders clear about it? If so, have they made it clear to their party cadres and their supporters in general public?”
Bangladesh: Khaleda and her hair
Biting wit at imperfect world 2007 on a politician being expelled from the country. “Well the big news is that the country is going to expel Khaleda. The main reason is that no one can stand her coiffure anymore, and she is being asked to go to a country where...
India: The Abusers
sthreeling on dealing with abusers. “However, sexual abuse doesn’t require genital gymnastics. In fact, it does not even require for a child to be touched physically. Rape is only one form of abuse. What about child pornography on the internet? What about voyeurism (where the abuser gets sexual pleasure out...
Bangladesh: Celebrating Bangla New Year 1414
Shuvo Bangla Noboborsho (Happy Bengali New Year) to everyone. April 14th was the first day of the Bangla year 1414 also known as Pohela Baishakh. In Bangladesh, this day is a national holiday and in West Bengal it is a public holiday. Now Bangladeshi bloggers will take us through the history, culture and celebrations of this event.
India: A Lawyers’ Enclave
My Mylapore on a little history trip with notes on Palathope, the lawyers’ enclave. “What circumstances caused generations of legal eagles to ‘graduate’ from Palathope? Their ‘graduation’ into the world of litigation and trial linked surprisingly, more definitively to this sleepy, little lane, rather than to any academic institution of...
Sri Lanka: Loans, the economy and lenders
One One Things on donor conditionality in Sri Lanka. “The first is that loan conditionality has evolved over the last decade or so. In the 80’s and 90’s the World Bank and the IMF notoriously imposed loan conditionalities that have been at loggerheads with the interests of developing countries. I...
Pakistan: Praying and Playing
The Pakistani Spectator doesn't take very kindly to comments made by the Pakistani Cricket Team's manager about the connection between Namaz (the ritual of prayer) and playing. “But its shocking that in an Islamic country people are blaming Namaz and religious activities for the defeat. Namza differentiates between a Muslim...
Nepal: Where have all the Sherpas gone?
Deepak's Diary on sherpas. “Nepal has always been exoticized as a country of brave Gurkha soldiers and adventurous Sherpa mountaineers. Both of these myths are under deconstruction now. Tenzing Norgay, the famous Nepali son was later snatched away by India and now another relentless mountaineer Appa Sherpa is in the...
Bangladesh: Oh Ireland!
A heavy day for Bangladesh yesterday. Rezwan liveblogs the cricket match with Ireland. “24 Overs: Bangladesh is in real trouble with 104/5. Their front-line batsmen are all out. They tried to play too many shots instead of nudging around for singles like what Ireland did. Ireland is playing better here...
Bangladesh: The idea of South Asia
Unheard Voices on the dream for a more cooperative South Asia. “I’ve always been in love with the idea of a South Asian version of the EU – where Bangladesh played a key role of course – marching into 21st century as an Asian bloc with superpower ambitions. In my...
India: Grand-Aunt and Feminism
Blogpourri responds to a tag on feminism by remembering her grand-aunt. “She was married at seven to a 42 year-old man. Following the marriage he disappeared, never to be heard from again. A few years later, he was legally presumed dead and my grand-aunt had her whole life ahead of...
Nepal: Constituent Assembly Elections and India
Nepali Netbook on the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal, and the meaning of the Indian Ambassador's words. “In suggesting that Nepalis should establish their own electoral paradigm, the Indian ambassador has much more than overruled UNMIN chief Ian Martin. Mukherjee has assured our SPAMers not worry about trifles like international...
Pakistan: Want to “make friendship”?
A strong step taken to publish numbers of people who harass others by calling them up at Behind the Chairman's Door. “First off, it takes a small man to call someone up and harass them, but then most of Pakistan’s male society is frustrated because of the Mullah code. Now,...
Bangladesh: A little less critical please!
Close Your Eyes and Try To See attempts to reason with bloggers to be a little less critical about the government. “A unique type of government is running the country which came into power in a very critical situation. During their 3 months in power, they have been enjoying vast...
Sri Lanka: Army and the A5 road
DefenceNet discusses the Sri Lankan military situation. “Infantry units of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry and Gemunu Watch took complete control over the Mahaoya-Chenkaladi A5 yesterday. With this capture, SLA are now in complete control over 90% of civilian populated areas in the eastern province.”
Pakistan: Driving in Lahore
Light Within on traffic in Lahore. “they will always drives at a speed less than 40 kilometres per hour along the middle of recently beautified, recently widened Lahore roads, and forget the distinctly marked speed lanes. They drive without looking left or right as if mesmerized by the taillights or...
India: Your Menstrual Cycle
In what comes across as a PR disaster, the government in India appears to be asking women in the civil services about their menstrual cycle and pap smears in their appraisal forms. (News reports suggest that the government has dropped the idea today.) Gilli.in collates some links discussing the issue.
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