South Asia
From the dizzying heights of the Himalayas to the coastal communities of Bangladesh, our stories highlight the lives of those living in South Asia.
We shine a spotlight on South Asian artists and speak to climate activists calling for loss and damages payments to support environmental action. Our journalism also focuses on contentious water conflicts and sacred rivers, such as the Mekong and the Ganges, that are intrinsic to life in South Asia.
Flood Narmada Valley with anti-dam resistance
Protesters in Madhya Pradesh kick-off a hunger strike, opening new chapter in anti-dam struggle, writes Defne Gonenc.
‘Women’s contributions to peace are essential’
Years of threats from the Taliban only strengthened this young female activist’s resolve to bring peace to Pakistan
Lessons from India's thirst economy
Fiona Broom on citizens caught between climate change and profiteers.
Making waves: Prafulla Samantara
Indian land rights activist Prafulla Samantara talks to Veronique Mistiaen.
Domestic violence: how victims are left on their own in Pakistan
The lack of laws is leading to a scary rise in domestic violence in some of Pakistan's provinces, writes Mahwish Qayyum
India’s ‘Smart City’ plan stumbles over slums
India's $15 billion grand project to transform cities into models of tech and infrastructural innovation is already in trouble. Nimisha Jaiswal investigates
'Stop caste discrimination in the Church'
From a conference on dalit discrimination in London comes a message to Pope Francis, writes Mari Marcel Thekaekara.
Is the Church finally acting against India’s caste system?
Over 20 years after Mari Marcel Thekaekara’s exposé of dalit manual scavenging, somebody might finally be taking action.
Kashmir's pashmina woes
Machine manufacturing of Pashmina scarves has saturated the market, leaving artisans without hope of a secure future, writes Nathalie Olah.
Country Profile: Nepal
After the 2015 earthquake, foreign governments and organizations pledged $4.1 billion in gifts and loans, but funds are yet to be disbursed, reports Fiona Broom.
India’s xenophobia shame
Mari Marcel Thekaekara laments the ignorance and hatred behind attacks on foreigners in her country.
Chalo Nagpur: India’s women’s march against fascism and caste
Women from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life spoke up for women’s rights in Nagpur, writes Mari Marcel Thekaekara.
For the sake of the tiger
Prioritizing animal conservation over human life is having repercussions for locals in the Sundarbans. An illustrated report by Harriet Paintin and Sachin Gupta.
Taking on the sand mafia
Hired thugs won't stop S Mugilan. The South Indian activist talks to Sibi Arasu.
India's child trafficking and child beggars conundrum
An anti child trafficking campaign in India asks the public to photograph and share pictures child beggars, but it’s not as easy as it seems, argues Mari Marcel Thekaekara.
Transgender people in Pakistan: a first and last birthday party
Inside a transgender ‘birthday’ party in Pakistan, a rare chance for the community to celebrate a friend's life.
Little insects, big impact
By introducing bee hives to their fields, Indian farmers are improving productivity – and lives.
When cash turns to ash: a look at India’s demonetization drive
Some 50 days into India's efforts to funnel out black money, something seems not to have gone to plan, writes Nilanjana Bhomwick.
The last Veddas of Sri Lanka
A life traded as a heritage token is an imperiled life, writes Kevin Childs.
Reflections on the harsh criticism of Mother Teresa
There was certainly reason to be critical but what difference has it made? Mari Marcel Thekaekara asks.
The fight for India’s ‘sweeper caste’ wins award
The country’s ‘national shame’ has long plagued the majority of its people, writes Mari Marcel Thekaekara.
Bangalored: death of a dream
Mari Marcel Thekaekara reflects on how Bangalore mutated from charming town to the city that never sleeps.
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Drowning in liquid filth – in 21st century India
We pretend that people are not condemned to the caste system, Mari Marcel Thekaekara writes.
Mostafa's story
One man's inspiring but disturbing journey to become a rickshaw rider in Bangladesh. Photos by Ana Norman Bermudez.
Pakistani Christians living in fear
Pakistani Christians who are charged under the country’s blasphemy laws are living in hiding, Rizwan Syed reports.
Crocodile smiles and con tricks
Fiona Broom reports from Nepal on the scandal of the ‘orphanage industry’.
Former Kamlari slave girls pave the way for change in Nepal
By speaking out about their experiences, survivors have helped change society, reports Kevin Childs.
Breaking the system designed to keep tea workers poor
Sabita Banerji reports on the challenge of securing labour rights for plantation workers in India.
China’s influence in Nepal endangers Tibetan refugees
The country's impact on Nepalese politics makes life for Tibetans there extremely difficult, reports Emily Walker.
Eight ways to help stop human trafficking in Nepal
Women and children are even more vulnerable following the earthquakes, writes Beulah Devaney, so what can we do?
How did Gandhi win?
Mark Engler and Paul Engler consider the lessons from the Salt March for today's social movements.
Kashmiris rise up in the fight against the floods
In the face of state inertia, Kashmiris have taken matters into their own hands. Uzma Falak reports.
Mother Teresa's troubled legacy
S Bedford reports from India on a dirty truth behind a squeaky-clean image.
