Featured stories about South Asia
Stories about South Asia
Climate change and rapid urbanization blamed for the worst flood in over a century in northeastern Bangladesh
Heavy rainfall in the hills of neighbouring India caused flash floods in the northeastern districts of Bangladesh. Various organisations and volunteers have come forward to help the flood victims.
What the world needs now: A new deal in a reformed global economic system
"The prosperous East Asian nations (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, and China at the lower income margins) have been the greatest assets for growth of the world system for some time now."
The Sitakunda fire tragedy and the surge of humanitarian acts in Bangladesh
The recent deadly Sitakunda fire and explosion in Chittagong saw unprecedented casualties and damages and ordinary people came forward to help the victims of the tragedy.
Undertones: How India’s far-right spreads Islamophobia
Three narratives to help understand how India's hyper-nationalist Hindus are trying to wipe off all traces of Muslim existence.
With spokesperson's suspension, BJP supporters in India are losing faith in the party
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India removed two of its spokespeople under pressure over their alleged remarks on Prophet Muhammad, which have made headlines in India and abroad.
What South Asians in the US are saying about abortion and LGBTQ+ rights
As the US is engaging in a political and cultural war about abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, the large South Asian community living in the country comments on the situation.
Sri Lanka: ‘We want the power of equality, justice and love — not love for power’
Women's groups from the north and east of Sri Lanka marched into the GotaGoGama protest site in Galle Face, Colombo, to express their concerns about the current crisis.
Solar technology is empowering people in rural India with clean affordable energy
This is the story of how a unique, affordable and low-maintenance clean energy solution is powering electricity-deprived homes across rural India.
Recent #MeToo revelations steer public discourse in Nepal
The recent confession of a rape survivor has propelled tens of thousands of protesters into the streets of the capital of Nepal. The #justiceforsushmita movement also surfaced online.
Undertones: What’s behind Bangladesh’s neutrality about Russia’s invasion?
Through deep observation, explore how there's more to neutrality in Bangladesh's relationship with Russia.
The elephant whisperer of Nepal
Each year, human–elephant conflict results in the destruction of crops and dwellings, human injury and death, and the retaliatory killing of elephants. Conservationists like Shankar Chettri Luitel are changing the scenario.
Covering the economic crisis in Sri Lanka: The cost of pursuing journalism
Journalists and media houses in Sri Lanka are facing many challenges covering the ongoing economic crisis and growing public protests; some newspapers have suspended publication and many journalists were injured.
India pushes for storage of private data using technology built for anonymity
As VPNs and blockchain-based services are often designed to assure user anonymity and privacy, this direction might force many service providers to shut down operations in India.
Podcast: The state of press freedom
This week, we head to China, India, Colombia, Indonesia and Serbia to hear from journalists and researchers about what challenges the media faces in those countries.
Pakistan drops 12 points on World Press Freedom Index 2022
A report by Pakistani rights organization Freedom Network reveals that journalists in Pakistan were subjected to violence, legal cases, abductions, detentions and threats last year, mostly from the state actors.
In Sri Lanka, a people’s uprising for system change
Sri Lankan jurist, author, poet, and activist Basil Fernando contemplates what lies ahead of Sri Lanka amidst the intensified anti-government protests and the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Thugs attacked peaceful protesters, Sri Lanka in turmoil
After 30 days of peaceful protests, the Rajapaksa regime unleashed its thugs on the anti-government protesters in Colombo. The resignation of the Prime Minister followed and violence broke out amid curfew.
How accurate is Nepal’s COVID-19 death toll?
Questions regarding what exactly constitutes a COVID-19 death remain elusive. With the lack of comparable data, it's hard to know the true number of COVID-19 deaths in Nepal.
Sri Lankan state of emergency condemned locally and internationally
In the span of five weeks, the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared another state of emergency amid ongoing anti-government protests highlighting the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
What’s so special about the tearjerker song ‘Pir’ that created a national debate in Nepal?
A Nepali song on YouTube, showcasing the plight of Maoist cadres who supported and fought the ten-year-long insurgency in Nepal, was edited and re-uploaded after a fierce debate.
Disappearing playgrounds in Dhaka: Where will the children play?
A recent protest to save an open space used as a playground for children in a Dhaka neighbourhood reminds us that playgrounds are vanishing in megacities like Dhaka.
About our South Asia coverage
Rezwan is the South Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.