Stories about South Asia from November, 2009
Global Health: World Toilet Day Raises a Stink
While it may sound like a bad joke, today's World Toilet Day focuses on a not-so-funny issue impacting almost half the world's population -- a lack of toilets and sanitation.
Bangladesh: Corruption Reduction Policy Under Question
This year Bangladesh improved her position in the Transparency International corruption perception index. However citing some recent lapses, Habib Siddiqui questions: “How committed is Bangladesh Government about boosting the Corruption Perception Index?”
Bangladesh: The Long Awaited Verdict
Unheard Voice live blogged the long awaited final verdict of the trial of the killers of the first president of Bangladesh, the father of nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Australia: Asylum Seekers test tough but humane approach
There has been a spike in asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat following the increasing violence in Afghanistan and the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. The Australian government has been heavily criticised for both its handling of the Oceanic Viking incident and refugee policy in general.
Pakistan: Mumbai Attacks
Bilal Qureshi at Pakistan Foreign Policy blog comments on the 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks: “So far, we know that stateless actors were involved in carrying out these attacks. These people want nothing, but chaos and mayhem in Asia, and it is important to stop them without pointing finger at other.”
Bangladesh: Brahmaputra River Is Threatened
RealTime Bangladesh blog reports that a dam in Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in China will divert 200 billion cubic meters of waters to the Yellow River. This will spell disaster for the Tibetan plateau and the lower riparian countries, India’s North East and Bangladesh as Brahmaputra river and its branches like...
India: Much Ado about Copenhagen Meet On Climate Change
Roger Alexander opines that “in the course of his current trip to Asia, US President Barack Obama has ensured that the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference, due to take place in Copenhagen December 7-18, will be nothing more than a talk shop.”
Bangladesh: More Connectivity With Neighbors
The New Horizon comments on the recent initiatives of Bangladesh aiming for more regional connectivity with its neighbors: “It’s not only a good sign for Bangladesh, but also could usher in a new era of cooperation among South Asian nations in general.”
Bhutan: Shangri-La or Ethnic Cleanser?
What is Bhutan? One camp glorifies Bhutan as the last Shangri-la and the other claims that it is practicing ethnic cleansing. Sonam Ongmo breaks some stereotypes.
Pakistan: Perils Of Wider Provincial Autonomy
Reacting on the news of a possible amendment of the constitution of Pakistan, which will give wider provincial autonomy, Khan Zia opines that this may result in breaking up of the country in a very short space of time.
Sri Lanka: The Mighty Multinationals
Serendipity from Minneriya, Sri Lanka believes that a level playing field is essential to protect the local industry from the mighty multinationals who have competitive advantage and “it is the duty of the Government to level it”.
India, Pakistan: The Sky Below
Kamla Bhatt reviews a documentary of Sarah Singh (New York), The Sky Below, which looks at the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947 and “how it impacted the people and communities on both sides of the border: India and Pakistan.”
Sri Lanka: Militarization And Politicization
In Sri Lanka, the former army chief is poised to wage an electoral battle against his former commander in chief, the incumbent president. D.B.S. Jeyaraj comments that: “the current situation is (also) the culmination of a long process of militarization of Sri Lankan society and a gradual politicization of the...
Nepal: Minister Mentality
A deputy minister of Nepal had beaten a top government employee for not providing a vehicle of her taste. Xnepali Blog has details.
Pakistan: Insurgency And IT
“It's true that Pakistan faces some serious challenges, but if, as a nation, it can keep providing a service for outsourcing IT skills internationally even while bullets are flying, that's a good sign for the future,” comments Alamzeb Khan.
India: Time To Reclaim The Swastika
Runa at Uber Desi comments on the outrage on the Hindu religious symbol swastika printed on gift papers: “Isn’t it time people broadened their horizons a little to recognize that the swastika (in the Hindu form) is not the same as the horrible symbol of the unforgivable atrocities of the...
India: Corruption Of Rural Teachers
Lekhni at The Imagined Universe talks about an ingenious method of corruption by some teachers from rural areas of India – they bribe to get themselves suspended from their jobs so that “they would keep receiving 50 per cent of the monthly salary (without working) and pursue other lucrative jobs.”
Bhutan: Independence Day
“Is Bhutan a free country or an Indian protectorate as claimed by an edition of the oxford dictionary?” -asks Freedom in Bhutan while discussing why Bhutan does not celebrate its Independence Day.
Nepal: The Peaceful Protests Of The Maoists
Ujjwal Acharya at The Radiant Star praises the Maoists for ending their recent protests in Nepal peacefully. The blogger comments: “I hope that both sides – ruling coalition and the Maoists should somehow agree on a few basic things including two hot issues”.
Bangladesh: Return Of Nepotism
Shada Kalo tells the sad tale of nepotism and indulgence of corruption in Bangladesh. Recently the son of a ruling party presidium member who was jailed for 18 years on charges of corruption was pardoned by the president.
India: Equality
“About 15 percent population consisting of political leaders and government servants have, through their corrupt practices, amassed 85 percent of the total wealth of India, leaving only 15 percent of it to the balanced 85 percent population of the country,” comments Ram Bansal at India in Peril.
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