Latest posts by Neha Viswanathan from September, 2006
India: On Tipu Sultan
The revision of History as it's taught in schools can have both an academic and political agenda. Indian Muslims on the character of Tipu Sultan and the revision of how he is perceived.
Nepal: Status of 174 disclosed
What of the people who died or went missing during the insurgency in Nepal. Bahas on the current issue of the status of 174 people disclosed. “The Home Ministry Friday made public the status of 174 people among 776 allegedly disappeared by the state during ten years of insurgency.”
India: Pictures from Kargil
Sajith has wonderful photographs from Kargil. “While being driven down to the town, our driver had also pointed us towards the barren Tiger Hills, where the big artillery battle of 1999 had happened. All of a sudden the nothingness starts to remind of body bags being sent home and teary...
Pakistan: On Ramadan
Shirazi on observing the month of Ramadan. “What is particularly troubling is that often the very people who demand tolerance for themselves end up ridiculing and denouncing those who choose to determine the beginning of the month through some other means.”
India: Youth and rebellion
Youth and rebellion. The Delhicate Constitution on why youth and children are the way they are. “I'm simply saying that being rebellious and anti-establishment in this case is not merely a fashion statement. It might be for some, but for the most part it is because it is inevitable. This...
India: Issues and Fatwas
On what issues are the Muslim Clerics in India issuing fatwas? “However, A TV channel, with the help of sting operations, has shown that some of the Muslim clerics were taking money and issuing fatwas on any matter what the reporters were asking.”
Sri Lanka: Pro-LTTE in London
The Tamil Sri Lankan community in London is being pressurized to join demonstrations on UN Peace Day. “What is enlightening is the LTTE organisers are using events like these to get people to come by feeding them with false hopes.”
Sri Lanka: Muslim Concerns
Moju on the current conflict in Sri Lanka and the concerns of the Muslim Community. “In August 2006 the Muslim community of Mutur found itself at the centre of the ‘undeclared war’ that is still continuing and as a result, faced multiple humanitarian and human rights violations.”
Bangladesh: Fishermen and their troubles
Drishtipat Group Blog on the issues that the fisherfolk face in Bangladesh. “Without navigation knowledge and equipment, very frequently they find themselves in foreign water and a large number of Bangladeshi fishermen are now in jail in countries like India, Myanmar, Thailand etc.”
India: Farmers killing themselves
Even as success stories roll off from India, many farmers in the country are committing suicide. Kamla Bhatt has more. “his is the India that is seldom spoken about, but in recent years has got lot of press coverage because of the abject poverty and debt that many farmers find...
India: Crafts and papier-mâché
Paavani writes on the incredible craft of papier-mâché.”So how did this amazing craft reach to India, that too paradise of earth (Kashmir). Sultan Zain-ul-Adidin was the person behind bringing it to the valley in 15th century. Kashmir is famous for papier-mâché intricate painted tiny boxes and huge vases.”
Pakistan: Albright still around
Whisk on the sort of representatives who are still sticking around, years after tactless remarks. “I believe she has since apologised for her tactless remark (7 years after making the remark) about the Iraqi children. It is essential that everyone read John Ryan’s excellent article on Ms. Albright entitled “An...
Pakistan: The Autorickshaw
The auto rickshaw is one of the evident symbols of South Asia. Light Within has a rather comprehensive post on the auto rickshaw in Pakistan.
Bangladesh: Texting
imperfect world 2006 on the sorts of things that texting or SMS is being used for in Dhaka. “Well how about this use of texting technology: for calling the fire brigade in an emergency! Presumably they phone you back and get the details? Or perhaps they use gsm positioning and...
India: Bandra Fair
Bandra Fair in full swing and colour at Ultrabrown and Trivial Matters.
Sri Lanka: Blog Con for Sri Lanka
Deane's Dimension reflects on the BlogCamp held in India recently and if the blogging community in Sri Lanka is big enough for such an event.
Sri Lanka: Free and Open Software
Nirmal Jayasinghe on why Free and Open Software is important for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka: Apollo Hospital and Business
Pradheep's Blog laments the takeover of an Apollo Hospital in Sri Lanka, implying that the hospital would lose its USP and the negative impact it could have in terms of an investor friendly business environment. “Needless to say this will have a negative impact on the confidence that investors have...
Bangladesh: What happened in Thailand
Drishtipat looks at the coup in Thailand and highlights an important question about what lessons could be drawn in terms of Bangladesh's future. “Thailand resembles Bangladesh in many ways. The last military coup in Thailand, in 1991, was extremely unpopular and was overthrown by violent opposition in the streets.”
South Asia: The Pope and Academia
Chapati Mystery on the controversy and the difference between the last pope and the current one. “The central irony of this controversy is that the thesis of Three Stages in the Program of De-Hellenization treats the futility of spreading faith through violence. Indeed, the quote that most infuriates some Muslims...
India: What the Pope was trying to do
Falstaff summarizes the controversy around the Pope's remarks with a good deal of sarcasm thrown in. “The pope, delivering an address at his old University, decides to use a quotation from a discussion between a Byzantine emperor and a Persian scholar, on the theory, presumably, that any discussion of contemporary...