Thirty-one journalists, bloggers and media workers were killed in the period under review (May, 2015 to April, 2016) with India emerging as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Afghanistan and Pakistan continued to remain dangerous places for journalists but the most concerning series of events were recorded in Bangladesh.
The defining moment for Mcledoganj came about , when the Indian govt granted refuge to The Dalai Lama in 1959. What was until that point a sleepy little town, began bustling with thousands of Tibetans . The diaspora brought with it a slice of Tibet , and its history. Noticeably, the atmosphere in Mcledoganj is charged with an air of defiance against the might of the Chinese state. There are frequent candle marches with cries of protest echoing in the air. Every nook and corner in the main town square has been emblazoned with grafittis and slogans – calling for and end to Tibet’s oppression.
In such a situation, if this trend is not arrested with promptness and unity of purpose Siachen glacier might vanish in your life time. This will be a fitting tribute to the soldiers who have died to defend their motherland. History will judge you quite harshly if blind jingoism is allowed to have a field day even as the motherland melts.
Thus, all that is wrong today in Kashmir, the “lifelong obsession” of Barkha Dutt, are its people. Of course, she is enamoured by the beauty of Dal Lake and Gulmarg, by green meadows and mountains. But what troubles her about Kashmir is the “horror of militancy” and “mistakes” by India. There are killings, indeed, but only those done by militants. No mention of massacres done by Indian Army.
Despite and perhaps directly resulting from the unending crisis in Fukushima, Japan is now aggressively pursuing nuclear supply agreements with emergent nuclear nations across Asia and the Middle East.