By the end of June, Sri Lanka's anti-government protests had started to simmer down. But behind the scenes, a group of activists was plotting a revival. Mariam Wardak tells you how a band of unlikely heroes planned and led the Colombo spring.

South Asia Diary | How a group of activists toppled Gotabaya

Four decades of war have left Afghanistan riddled with deadly land mines. Mine clearance operations have been stalled since the Taliban's conquest in August 2021. Almost 80% of land mine victims in Afghanistan are children. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary | Afghanistan's old killing fields claim young lives

Bangladesh has been ranked as the 7th saddest country by Gallup. Despite its meteoric economic rise, why has Bangladesh landed so low on this list? What does it reveal about the nature of Bangladesh's prosperity? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | Bangladesh ranked 7th saddest country

Indian cops have busted a fake IPL tournament in the western state of Gujarat. The organisers paid farmers to dress up as players and duped Russian punters into placing bets. Mariam Wardak tells you how this elaborate cricketing con was exposed.

South Asia Diary | Indian cops bust fake IPL tournament

Bhutan is all set to welcome foreign tourists after two years of Covid hiatus. But travellers will have to shell out $200 per day, up from $60 in the last three decades. Is Bhutan using its tourism potential to shore up its foreign exchange reserves? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | Bhutan increasing daily tax on tourists

Climate disasters are pushing children in Bangladesh out of schools and into the workforce. Almost 1.7 million Bangladeshi children are currently working as labourers. How is climate change spurring child labour? What is the Bangladesh government doing about it? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | Climate change spurs child labour in Bangladesh

Mumbai has reported more than 1,800 building collapses since 2018. Despite their dilapidated condition, why do thousands of residents continue to occupy these vulnerable structures? Mariam Wardak brings you a ground report by Disha Shah.

South Asia Diary | Mumbai's deadly building collapses

Afghanistan's Mes Aynak was one of the most important stops on the ancient silk route. The Buddhist settlement sits on top of a valuable copper deposit. A Chinese mining company is threatening to swallow Mes Aynak with a $3 billion project. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary | Chinese mine threatens Afghan Buddhist site

As Sri Lanka's fuel and gas shortages intensify, citizens are turning to firewood. While affluent Sri Lankans can afford refined charcoal stoves, others are depending on traditional devices. Doctors warn that a permanent pivot to firewood would be disastrous for public health. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary | Sri Lanka turns to firewood amid gas shortage

Bhutan's top spiritual authority has ordained 144 Buddhist nuns for the first time in the country's history. Why were Buddhist women denied the right to full ordination in the first place? How will this event change Buddhism's attitude towards women? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | Bhutan ordains 144 nuns in historic event

Pakistan’s overall inflation topped 13%, with food prices increasing 17% in the month of May. The government has slashed food and fuel subsidies to secure assistance from the IMF. How are low-income families in Pakistan navigating this crisis? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary: How are Pakistani families navigating record inflation?

The intense heatwave in South Asia is affecting agriculture in Pakistan. The lucrative mango production is expected to fall by 50% in the ongoing season. Will this poor yield worsen Pakistan's already vulnerable economic state? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | Heatwave hits Pakistan’s mango output

Heat waves will become more frequent in South Asia as the planet continues to warm at an alarming speed. Experts say that this is just a trailer for what the future might hold. Mariam Wardak gets you the complete report in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Climate Change to Worsen Heat Waves

Kashmir witnessed a sharp uptick in tourism with 600,000 travellers visiting the Indian union territory in the first four months of 2022. Catch an exclusive ground report on how tourism returned to the valley.

South Asia Diary: Kashmir logs record tourist season

Nepal was once the cannabis capital of the world, attracting thousands of high-seeking Westerners. The booming industry was banned after America declared a war on drugs. Decades later, Nepal is rethinking the cannabis ban. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary: Nepal rethinks cannabis ban

The Taliban are denying driving licenses to Afghan women. Their supreme leader is calling for mandatory face veils. How will the world respond to the Taliban's broken promises? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women

Sri Lanka's sudden ban on chemical fertilizers in 2021 destroyed the livelihood of thousands of farmers. Paddy cultivators recount how the overnight shift to organic farming affected their income. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary: How organic farming ruined Sri Lanka

Karachi is running out of space to bury the dead. Most cemeteries are either shut or filling up fast. But if you know the right sort of people, they will find you a plot of land. Mariam Wardak tells you more about Karachi’s ‘grave’ injustice.

South Asia Diary | Karachi running out of space for graves

Targeted blasts and bombings are on the rise across Afghanistan once again, just a few months after the Taliban took over Kabul. Mariam Wardak gets you the full report in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Resurgent terror threat in Afghanistan

Targeted blasts and bombings are on the rise across Afghanistan, just a few months after the Taliban took over Kabul. Mariam Wardak brings you the plight of innocent Afghans who are once again facing the threat of extremist terror.

South Asia Diary | Resurgent terror threat in Afghanistan | Sri Lanka's economic crisis

As Sri Lanka plunges into its worst financial crisis in history, calls for the Rajapaksas' resignation grow louder. Mariam Wardak explains how the South Asian country found itself in the middle of this mess and the way out for Colombo in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Sri Lanka Economic Crisis

Hours after taking oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif has made tall promises. But will he be able to come through on his words given Pakistan's dire economic slowdown? Mariam Wardak explains in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Change of Guard in Pakistan

Teenagers in Nepal spend their prime years training for the British army. Every year a few hundred are selected out of thousands. Mariam Wardak tells you why the young Nepalis are willing to give it their all to get admission into The Royal Gurkha Rifles in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | The British Gurkha dream of Nepal's youth

The last standing artisans in India's Varanasi toil hard to preserve the tradition of hand-weaving sarees. Mariam Wardak gets you their story in this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Saving the Banarasi Weave

Still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the lives of millions of factory workers in Bangladesh. Mariam Wardak explains the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Bangladesh's garment exporters.

South Asia Diary | Uncertainty surrounds Dhaka's garment export

After beating the Covid-19 pandemic, India has turned its focus to tuberculosis. How did the fight against Covid hamper the Tuberculosis campaign? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | After Covid-19, India turns to Tuberculosis

Down Syndrome is a poorly understood medical condition in Pakistan. Most families either neglect treatment, or cannot afford it. Mariam Wardak tells you how one centre in Karachi is fighting to break the stigma around Down Syndrome.

South Asia Diary: Karachi therapy centre breaks stigma around Down syndrome

Indian farmers have traditionally used the Sun to dry vegetables and fruits. The painfully long process has led to tonnes of wastage every year. Mariam Wardak tells you how a solar-powered dehydrator could speed things up.

South Asia Diary: Solar dehydrator cuts food wastage in India

Young Afghans are using cryptocurrencies to circumvent western sanctions on the Taliban regime. Why is crypto exempt from sanctions? How are Afghan youth harnessing its power? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary: Afghans use cryptocurrency to sidestep sanctions

Nepal's icefall doctors are preparing for the first Everest campaign of the season. Join them as they fix ropes and anchors along the treacherous journey to the top. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary: First Everest mission of the season

The war in Ukraine has triggered a food crisis in Bangladesh. Traders are hoarding essential commodities to drive up prices. The Bangladesh government has responded by announcing a nationwide ration scheme. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Ukraine war triggers food crisis in Bangladesh

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