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South Asia: Holi, Wedding excess, Bollywood, Snow, Bus etiquette, ordination of children

Categories: South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Arts & Culture, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Law, Literature, Media & Journalism, Politics, Protest, Religion, Sport, War & Conflict, Youth

Happy Holi [1] to our readers. The Hindu Spring festival of colors is one of the most popular traditional festivals in India and Nepal. South Asia Biz reports [2] that the Indian Cricket team, now in the Caribbean for the Cricket world cup celebrated Holi with the local Indian communities.

We also have other assorted topics discussed in these South Asian blogs:

Bangladesh:

Nazia Hussein of Adhunika blog highlights [3] the tradition of excess expenditure in weddings, which becomes burden for the family. She contemplates where to draw the line.

Recently a Dhaka highrise caught fire causing five deaths and much panic and people witnessed dramatic rescue scenes. Drishtipat Blog posts [4] eye-witness accounts of the terrible incident and critics the absence of safety measures to avoid this kind of tragedy.

Bhutan:

Ugyen of Visit Bhutan in 2008 shares [5] a breath taking video of the Landing of the Druk Air, Royal Bhutan Airlines in Paro, the Only Airport in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.

Lost at Kuzu-Bhutan Weblog describes [6] the advantages of the use of Bhutanese language in webchats.

India:

Shivam VJ writes [7] a detailed article showing the chemistry between the Indian blogosphere and the Indian media. Kiruba Shankar features [8] blogger Amit Agarwal's column in the Hindustan Times where the leading Indian Podcasters were highlighted.

Bollywood is turning truly Global. Steven Baker writes [9] in Desicritics his personal accounts of new Bollywood film releases in three continents.

Nepal:
Kathmundu witnessed its first snow after 62 years. Dinesh Wagle of United we Blog describes [10] the reactions of the Nepalis.

Dr. Gaury S. Adhikary is optimistic [11] about the future of Nepal. Although the Nepali politics is at the cross-roads, he is confident that with their resilience and wisdom the Nepali people will bring the Nepali politics back to where it belongs: at the Center!

Pakistan:

Pakistan's popular Basant festival or the festival of kites marking the advent of spring is back this year. Shirazi [12] of Light Within and Hasan [13] of Lahore Metblogs have details of the celebrations. The kite flying laws of the authorities could do little damage [14] to the enthusiasm of the people of Pakistan.

Adil Najam of All Things Pakistan lists [15] some popular books on Pakistan.

Sri Lanka:

Scourge discusses [16] Sri Lankan Bus etiquette.

Pass the roti on the left side informs [17] that there are reports of abductions and disappearances of Children in Sri Lanka. These Children are said to be used as fighters.

Lanka Libertarian discusses [18] the ordination of children by the Buddhist Monks and the claims of human rights violation.