‘Blue Boy’ writer Rakesh Satyal and producer Nik Dodani and ‘Nice Indian Boy’ director Roshan Sethi, actor Karan Soni, and discussion moderator Warren Etheredge. Photo by Beena Sarwar

Amplifying South Asian narratives, empowering region's filmmakers

The power of storytelling shone through at the Tasveer Film Festival, a key player and pivotal stakeholder in the global South Asian film market. Since its inception in 2002, the festival has consistently amplified South Asian narratives and boosted their visibility on the world stage.

Hostile protests in London symptomatic of a larger problem plaguing Pakistan

When small groups of individuals abroad resort to violent or disruptive protests, it tarnishes the collective image of the Pakistani community. These actions reinforce negative stereotypes about Pakistanis being politically volatile, emotionally charged, or prone to extremist behavior.

Of cultural unifiers and peacemongers: Bridging the subcontinental divide

There was a consensus on the importance of allowing people to meet across borders, revive dialogue and sporting ties -- including cricket -- as well as SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and cooperate on all matters, especially the environment.

Caribbean Hindus face calls to unite in face of challenges

The celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, has gained much national and international prominence in Trinidad, where the annual Divali Nagar at Chaguanas sees over 100,000 people thronging the nine-nights carnival spread over a 27-acre site from all over the Caribbean, the United States and beyond.

More on SOUTH ASIA ABROAD

Lonely Planet ranks Nepal’s Everest base camp as fourth best trek in the world

The Everest base camp trek that passes through Sherpa villages, glaciers and finally to the lap of the world's highest mountain–Mt Everest–has been ranked 4th best treks in the world by Lonely Planet, the leading travel guide book publisher in the world

COVID-19 forces circus queen to turn fish vendor

Sarada Singha, a 45-year-old chief performer of her Kolkata based circus company, had everything going right for her until the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent nationwide lockdown forced her to become a fish vendor to manage two square meals for her family

Corona shrinks Mumbai's giant Ganesh idols

For the first time in over four decades since the trend of gigantic Ganesh idols started, this year, 99 percent of Mumbai's top public Ganeshotsav organisers have decided to reduce the size of the idols, top office-bearers said on Tuesday

Vrindavan widows make designer masks to combat COVID-19

Poor and abandoned widows living in the ashrams and care homes  of Vrindavan, a temple town in Uttar Pradesh, have utilised the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity, to promote self-reliance

Three Pakistan cricketers test positive for coronavirus ahead of England tour

Three members of the Pakistan men's national cricket team — Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan — have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the team's upcoming tour of England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Monday

Manisha Koirala mulls over Nepal's future, faces Twitter flak from Indians

Nepalese-origin Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala is facing social media flak after she took to Twitter to express concern over her country on Monday

Former Sri Lanka captain hits back at former cricket board president amidst match-fixing row

Former national cricketer Mahela Jayawardena has hit back at former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala amidst match-fixing claims surrounding the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai that India won

Our parallel universes: Eyes must see, Ears must listen, heart must seek

I realized that time wasn’t rushing by, I was. This long lockdown has meant longer hours at home watching the birds, and they in turn have promptly obliged, writes Sneha Sudha Komath for South Asia Monitor  

Yoga helps 'confidently negotiate challenges': PM Modi

In what can be seen as a subtle message in the backdrop of the recent India-China face-off, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the International Yoga Day on Sunday to send out a message by asserting that yoga allows "emotional stability to confidently negotiate the challenges before us"

Immerse yourself in melody, books this World Music Day

Remember the goosebumps you got when Indira Gandhi drove down Rajpath on Republic Day to the haunting strains of "Ai Mere Watan Ke Logon"? Or this homily from the late comedian and singer Robin Williams: "You know what music is? God's little reminder

Sri Lanka to allow more foreign universities to enter the country

Sri Lanka is amending its University Act to permit more foreign universities to set up shop on the island, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has told European Union Ambassadors in Colombo

Sri Lanka to reopen movie theaters on June 27

Sri Lanka's  Ministry of Cultural Affairs says that all cinema halls in the country will be reopened from the 27th of this month

Sri Lanka orders probe into “match-fixing” of 2011 cricket World Cup final

Sri Lanka's Sports minister Dullas Alahapperuma has ordered a full-scale investigation into match-fixing claims involving the finals of the 2011 cricket World Cup

Malala celebrates completion of Oxford degree

Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on Friday took to social media to celebrate her recent graduation from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Cinema halls to re-open in Sri Lanka after three months

All cinema halls in Sri Lanka will be opened starting 27 June, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development, and Cultural Affairs said on Friday (June 19)