Afghan women in burkha in markets

The Empty Chair at Islamabad: When Taliban Saw Women's Rights Subordinated by Islamic Law

The Taliban, therefore, is not challenging whether Islam should shape women’s rights. Both the OIC and the Taliban begin from that premise. The disagreement is over what Islamic rights mean and, more importantly, who has the authority to define them. 

Who Defines Where Home is? Confronting Partition Trauma and its Aftermath Eight Decades Later

As of January this year, at least 296 Bangladeshis have died in border areas over the past decade, as India’s Border Security Forces (BSF) pushes “illegal Bangladeshis” across the border in the dead of night.

'The Election Commission Expose': A Seminal Moment for Indian Journalism

It is true that only a handful of newspapers have the resources and persistence to pursue big stories of the kind that came alive in the EC exposé. Nevertheless, to the extent that it inspires others to pursue even smaller news stories with steadfastness this could potentially redeem the otherwise sordid state of affairs in the Indian media.

India-Mongolia Buddhist Partnership: A Civilisational Bridge Linking India’s Buddhist Heritage with Mongolia’s Contemporary Revival

The profound emotional connection was vividly evident in 2022 when, as the Indian delegation accompanying the relics entered the Gandan monastery, members of the crowd reached out to touch them, expressing their reverence for those who had come "from the land of the Buddha".

More on Soft Power, Culture, Society and Gender

Canada's dancing Sikh spreads positivity through bhangra

A Canadian Sikh has gone viral, and not surprisingly it is bhangra that has made him a darling of social media

Pakistani rapper releases new song to highlight harassment, injustice against women

Ali Gul Pir, Pakistan’s famous rapper, television, voice actor, and stand-up comedian, has released a new song that has become quite a trailblazer with its strong message on domestic violence, and everyday harassment women face in Pakistani society

Sri Lankan artist shots to fame after directing Eminem’s 'Tone Deaf' animated lyrical video

Sri Lankan animation artist Randy Chriz Perera has shot to fame after he directed the animation for the lyric video of internationally famed American rapper Eminem’s new song 'Tone Deaf,' which has already gone viral

Kashmir's top ice-skater who did India proud

In the winter of 2014, Basharat Ahad Mir, barely 12 then, would pedal 50 odd kilometres from his home in Parimpora on Srinagar outskirts all the way to winter resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district to practice ice-skating there in sub-zero temperatures

Nepal’s stolen ancient artifact set to return after 40 years

The months-long joint investigation, involving several agencies of the United States and Nepal, led to the return of Nepal’s rare artifact, Patan’s status of Vasudeva Kamalaja, to Nepali authorities

Malala Yousafzai tells her favorite movie and TV shows

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, in an Instagram post revealed her favorite movie and TV show

Lifelong dream of working with Shah Rukh Khan came true: Pakistani actress Mahira Khan

As a child, Pakistani star Mahira Khan had a lifelong dream and that was to work with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan one day

What Indian women do on Twitter 24/7

When it comes to Twitter which has become a political battlefield and an arena for troll armies, Indian women are busy sharing their passions and interests the most, talking about fashion, books, beauty, entertainment and food on the service, the micro-blogging platform revealed on Friday

Sri Lankan PM for grand celebration of Shivratri

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapksa has directed government officials to make all arrangements for the grand celebration for Maha Shivratri, an important festival of Hindus falling on 11 March this year

Nepal rights activist Muskan Khatun wins 2021 International Women of Courage Award

Muskan Khatun, an acid attack survivor, will be awarded the prestigious International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award for her work to end acid attacks

Sri Lankan lawyer Ranitha Gnanarajah named recipient of 2021 International Women of Courage Award

Sri Lankan Human Rights Activist and Attorney-At-Law Ranitha Gnanarajah is among the recipients of this year’s International Women of Courage (IWOC) award presented by the United States Secretary of State

Pakistani girl stitches portraits in never-before-tried art

Hailing from a small town in Malakand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, Almas Khanam Jan has come to the limelight for her stitched portraits on flour strainers - an art that has never been tried before

Netflix continues to invest in the Indian market

The insatiable appetite for films in India has spurred Netflix to continue to invest in content for its streaming platform here

Smiling women from across India

In what merges together her passion for art and travel, portraits of various smiling Indian women by Delhi-based artist and art curator Priyanka Banerjee -- created over ten years -- bring out the resilience and spirit of women of the country

Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s debut movie in Tamil film with Sri Lankan actress

Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh is making his debut movie with Sri Lankan actress and television presenter Losliya Mariyanesan. The spin bowler recently shared the teaser of his debut film Friendship, revealing the casting of Losliya, who is from Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka, according to the Newswire