After reports that Bengali settlers burned down indigenous Jumma houses in Khagrachari, Bangladesh, Mehzabin Ahmed, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka, Bangladesh, argues it is time to start prioritizing responsibility over rights. While many Bangladeshis like me want to peacefully coexist with the indigenous peoples of our land, the grim picture shows a different tale …

“Indigenous peoples: prioritizing responsibilities” Read More »

India’s villages are places of tradition, far from the cars and air conditioning of city life, writes Mridul Upadhyay, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi, India. But he argues that villagers suffer inordinately from the effects of climate-changing urban pollution. What a surprise!  Some live with such a busy schedule that they don’t find …

“Indian villagers are deeply affected by pollution” Read More »

Citizen journalism can play a vital role by empowering the poor and the marginalised, argues Achuth Menon, 20, a Correspondent from India. It can raise issues that are ignored by the mainstream media, and become a force for social change.   Citizen journalism in India is an outcome of modern technology.  It plays a vital …

“Citizen journalism gives opportunity to all” Read More »

On election day citizens use their democratic freedom of choice, writes Geetha Kanniah, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia who recently cast her first vote. She describes the excitement of an election campaign that caught a nation’s attention. Who are you voting for?  That was a common question asked by Malaysians a few months ago. …

"Taking part in the process of democracy” Read More »

A surge in political violence has economic impact on Bangladesh, writes Osmi Anannya, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka, Bangladesh. The trend may be linked to upcoming elections, but there are concerns about an adverse effect on both investors and domestic markets. Episodes of political violence in Bangladesh have been ongoing since February 2013, with …

“Political violence affects the Bangladesh economy” Read More »

Pakistan recently marked its Independence Day but Naseema Perveen, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan, says continuing issues of poverty and violence undermine the sense of celebration.  On the way to work this morning I had to get public transport. Two men sitting at the back seat started using bad language with each …

“Not enough reason to celebrate Independence Day” Read More »

Meeting the nutrition requirements of children in  rual Bangladesh could be accomplished through planting readily available indigenous fruit tree species, writes Mahmud Hossain, 16, a Correspondent from Chittagong in Bangladesh.  The people of the rural part of Bangladesh, especially the children, are suffering from malnutrition. When I was younger, I saw a lot of fruit …

“Planting fruit trees to battle malnutrition” Read More »

Many across India and Bangladesh were affected as the Teesta river swelled above the danger level. However, dry seasons downstream tell a different tale as man-made obstacles stem the flow of the once-mighty river, writes Mehzabin Ahmed, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Teesta, a river that used to hold water throughout the …

"Let the Teesta flow its natural course" Read More »

Pilgrims and the farming community helped create a busy bazaar around a historic temple, but a heritage designation spelled the end of that commerce. Pak Yiu, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Brisbane, Australia, wonders about the fate of the adjacent village of Hampi. The Virupaksha temple has long existed next to the village and recent …

“The birth of tourism and the death of a village” Read More »

Over the past ten years, India’s shoot-to-kill policy at its borders has cost over 1,000 lives, most of them unarmed Bangladeshis. Shooting poor, unarmed villagers is not how the world’s largest democracy should behave, argues Mehzabin Ahmed, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh. Perhaps the most recognizable image of India’s Border Security Force …

“India’s shoot-to-kill policy defies human rights” Read More »