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The Rise of Burmese Young Bloods

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

Burma’s political change has opened up a new chance to campaign for opposition party the National League of Democracy.

The NLD boycotted the 2010 election – but now it’s ready for the by-elect next month.

Traditionally only family dynasties who have been involved in politics for generations usually stand for election .

But now Burma has a whole new generation of politicians doing it for themselves.

Nay Thwin has this report.

 

Philippines Urban Forests in Danger

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

Baguio City is famous for its pine tree forests – it goes by the name City of Pines.

But the city could soon lose its reputation. New construction threaten to destroy the trees.

Developers are targeting 200 mature pines for removal, a small forest in the middle of town.  

Madonna Virola travelled to Baguio City for this story.

 

Keeping Indian Gays Out of the Closet

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

Gay rights are center stage in India, as religious and conservative social groups take their campaign to the Supreme Court.

They’re challenging a 2009 decision by the Delhi High Court decriminalizing gay sex between two consenting adults.

The government is under pressure – first objecting to the High Court ruling and later withdrawing its objection.

The Supreme Court has asked the government to take a clear stand on the issue.

Bismillah Geelani has the story.

 

A Pursuit of Happiness in Bhutan Tourism

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

Bhutan wants the tourist sector to play a larger role in national development.

But expanding tourism poses challenges for the Kingdom – some fear accelerated growth will damage the country’s culture.

Ron Corben has this report from the Kingdom – known best for measuring national development with its Gross National Happiness index.

 

Lives Still Shattered One Year After Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

March 11 marks the first anniversary of the Great East Japan earthquake and the tsunami it spawned.

The terrifying waves left 19,000 dead and missing and tens of thousands homeless.

The tsunami, along with government and corporate complacency, also triggered the biggest nuclear crisis in 25 years when three reactors at Fukushima melted down.

The fall-out from Fukushima sparked mass evacuations, leaving entire communities as ghost towns.

Mark Willacy of Radio Australia has the report.

 

India’s Silicosis Victims Demanding Action from the Government

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

Quartz mining industries are hungry for labor in India’s state of Gujarat – but the cost for workers can be immense.

Quartz is high in silica, used for making everything from glass to insecticides.

But quartz crushing can lead to silicosis, when deadly silica dust settled in the lungs.

Hundreds have died from the disease, and victims are not getting the help they need.

Most of the victims come from the neighboring district of Madhya Pradesh.

Since then both governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have been ordered to compensate and rehabilitate the victims.

Shuriah Niazi visits Madhya Pradesh and listens to the victims.

 

Malaysia’s Invisible Children

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

In Malaysia, “bin Abdullah” or “binti Abdullah” means the son or daughter of Abdullah.

But the implications are far from positive.

On an identity card or birth certificate, it’s used if the person’s father is listed as ‘unknown’.

This happens for many reasons – if the child is born out of wedlock, or after a rape attack.

And children without their father’s name on official documents can find their rights at risk.

Clarence Chua reports from Kuala Lumpur.

 

In Need of New “Hero” For Young Chinese

ای میل چھاپیے پی ڈی ایف
There are no translations available.

It’s 50 years since the death of one of China’s most prominent propaganda heroes: Lei Feng, from the era of Mao Zedong.

He was an ordinary soldier known for spending all his spare money and time to help the needy – and has been China’s national symbol of sacrifice since 1963.

The 5th of March is the official “Learn from Lei Feng” day, when people go to clean up parks, schools and other public places.

But as Rebecca Valli reports from Beijing, Lei Feng’s legacy is also changing in modern China.

 
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  • This week on Asia Calling

 The rise of Burmese young bloods: Burma’s political change has opened up a new chance to campaign for opposition party the National League of Democracy. The NLD boycotted the 2010 election – but now it’s ready for the by-elect next month. Traditionally only family dynasties who have been involved in politics for generations usually stand for election. But now Burma has a whole new generation of politicians doing it for themselves. Nay Thwin has this report.

A pursuit of happiness in Bhutan tourism: Bhutan wants the tourist sector to play a larger role in national development.  But expanding tourism poses challenges for the Kingdom – some fear accelerated growth will damage the country’s culture. Ron Corben has the report from the Kingdom popular for its Gross National Happiness for the people.

These stories and much more this week

on Asia Calling:

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