26 February 2007

Stories from 26 February 2007

Bolivia: The Changing Face of the Flag

  26 February 2007

Photo taken by Patricia Vargas Claudio and used with permission. National symbols played a role in the presidential elections of December 2005. Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, the main rival to the eventual winner, Evo Morales, accused his opponent of wanting to change the traditional red, yellow, and green flag to something...

India: On Paan Waalahs

  26 February 2007

Swajana has a video post of a paan waalah. (Paan seller). “Theoretically a Paan can be compared to an after dinner mint, but culturally it plays a far more significant role. Thereby the maker of the Paan takes on a key sociological role. His role can be considered akin to...

Sri Lanka: On Identity

  26 February 2007

Tiny Little Fractures on the exploration of identity in the Sri Lankan blogosphere. “Here’s the thing, I think barking up the tree of a “Sri Lankan national identity” is a mistake, especially when it seems to involve pigeonholing people into being Sri Lankan. I mean what makes a Sri Lankan,...

Nepal: Blogs and MSM

  26 February 2007

Are blogs in Nepal not being given their due? Nepali Voices says “All Nepali bloggers will agree that blogs influence in the country is very little; but bloggers like me who blogged during the King’s direct rule will also agree that during the period blogs were something unavoidable – and...

Senegal Elections: Towards Another Wade Term?

  26 February 2007

“Senegal Wants Its Freedom Back” headline. By R-Nesto. Yesterday was election day in Senegal. A campaign marked by some violent clashes started about a month ago and most of the Senegalese bloggers were hoping to see the incumbent, PDS  [Social Democratic Party] leader Abdoulaye Wade, defeated. Wade has been in...

Bangladesh: Arrested, now what?

  26 February 2007

Unheard Voices points out that while big players were arrested in Bangladesh, the consequences are yet to be known. “As the initial euphoria over the arrested political leaders dies down, concerns are now seriously beginning to crepe in whether due process is being followed to prosecute these people. While some...

India: India as a destination

  26 February 2007

the shad king on the discovery of India becoming a destination for people other than nirvana seekers. “There is a significant population of Ethiopian immigrants in Washington DC, a vast majority of whom support their families (and often finance their own higher education) by driving a cab. As I grumpily...

Tajikistan: Islam & Identity

  26 February 2007

Lola discusses what being Muslim means to Tajik identity and what cultural and religious practices make one sufficiently Muslim without being considered what many in Tajikistan consider a “fanatic.”

Kyrgyzstan: Paying for Grades

  26 February 2007

Tolkun Umaraliev explains the situations in which Kyrgyz students pay bribes to receive good grades. He says that it is horrible to think about what this widespread practice means for the future of Kyrgyzstan.

Maldives: Torture Techniques in Paradise

  26 February 2007

The blog Groundsix notes some of the torture techniques used on detainees and prisoners in the Maldives. Putting in stocks: The victim is restrained with his or her ankles and wrists locked in tiny holes in a block of wood. The victim remains bent and does not have the use...

Trinidad & Tobago: Young and black

  26 February 2007

London-based Trinidadian Sinistra launches a series of posts about being “young and black” with a piece on being “Young and black in Babylondon”.

Trinidad & Tobago: Thank a policeman

  26 February 2007

In appreciation of the Trinidad and Tobago police force's service over the Carnival season, Keith Francis wishes to designate this week “Thank a Policeman Week”.

Oman: Nintendo DS Treat

  26 February 2007

Omani blogger Nabhan Abdullatif has just bought the Nintendo DS and can't get his hands off it. I finally got my hands on this baby and I'm seriously enjoying it. I've been looking for it ever since it was released and I was able to get a friend to buy...