Culture, Life & Philosophy Ravindra Kumar Equality is important in human life Meerut, India — In every age, ancient and medieval, contemporary and modern, thinkers and scholars have expressed their views on gender-equality, class and color-equality, and even discussed it in the context of morality. Equality occupies an important place in human life and is important and similar to freedoms and rights.

Buddhism and Quantum Physics Christian Thomas Kohl Buddhism and quantum physics Freiburg, Germany — What is reality? The mindsets of the modern world provide four answers and oscillate between them. But Buddhism refutes it and confronts the reproach of nihilism. It surprisingly parallels quantum physics where fundamental reality is an interaction of systems that interact with other systems and with their own components.		Media and Human Rights Jahangir Alam Akash Bangladesh should abolish the death penalty Hamburg, Germany — Bangladesh is a country where there is no right to life. Rather, handing the death penalty and extra judicial killings violates the right, which is common practice. Every year many peoples are handed the death penalty and many more die due to extra judicial killings.
Cross Culture William Gomes Bangladesh: Justice delayed and denied (Part 2) Dhaka , Bangladesh — Five former army officers were executed in Bangladesh on Jan. 28 for assassinating Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh, in 1975. While the death penalty could not be overturned, the local media reported that the president had rejected the mercy petition of three of the accused.		Culture, Life & Philosophy Ravindra Kumar Resolving cultural differences peacefully Meerut, India — Culture plays an important role in people's lives. If a dispute emerges in the name of culture, its effects on a society or a nation can cause greater harm than other disputes. Still, peaceful solutions are possible, if based on higher human values.
Understanding China Song Jingjing Optimistic about China's economy in 2010 Ningbo, China — In contrast to Western economies in the current depression，the 2010 Chinese lunar new year will drive consumption and promote a new economic upsurge in China. As far as I understand, there might be some forces supporting China's economic growth.		South Asia watch Malini Shankar Inadequate initiatives elude peace in Sri Lanka Bangalore, India — A decisive victory over terrorism is a rarity. However, Sri Lanka defeated terrorism and effectively separated politics from terror, which shows commendable political will for a war torn nation, starved of democracy. But without adequate political initiatives, peace will elude Sri Lanka.
Happenings Sekina Joseph Malaysia: Transsexuals should be treated fairly Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Its unfortunate that most local media portray transsexuals in a negative light - stereotyped as irresponsible and dishonest sex workers who con their clients. Some people see transgender as a joke although many are highly educated entrepreneurs. What they lack is family and community support.		The Science of Spirituality Balakrishna Jayasimha "Avatar" is revolution of evolution Bangalore, India — After watching the blockbuster film “Avatar,” I discovered the deeper and subtle messages that influenced my thoughts and perception in comparing the two species shown in the movie - one on the forefront of technological evolution and the other at the head of spiritual evolution.
Life in Wuhan Wang Kai Growing up in the first decade of the 21st century Wuhan, China — In the first decade of the 21st century, I grew up from a little boy into a young man and my country China grew up from a country of little regional influence to a global power. Though it seems we have little in common, I would like to express some points we share together.		Bharath is Truth Johann Samuhanand Obama's AFPAK policy and the Muslim Umma Bangalore, India — President Obama recently delivered the most important war speech of his presidency. But will the surge of 30,000 American troops make any difference to the Afghanistan-Pakistan theater? If numbers alone are the matter, then Obama would have provided even more troops.
Transformations Namhi Hwang What do globalization and marriage have in common? Bridgeport, CT, United States — Marriage is not merely about sex, any more than globalization is merely about exploitation. Both are about working with others to build a future for the human race.		Afghan Insights Marilyn Angelucci Swine flu in Afghanistan Kabul, Afghanistan — All the schools in Afghanistan have been closed by the government for three weeks because of the threat of swine flu. At the same time, the only pig in Afghanistan, previously found at the Kabul Zoo, has been quarantined.
Teen's Eye View Rama Kulkarni Liberty and parents Hong Kong, China — Liberty, as defined by the dictionary, is the quality or state of being free, or the power to do as one pleases. These statements tantalize me to no end, since I am so deprived of what they stand for. Most teens will claim so, but my parents are unequivocally the least liberal.		Women of Strength Kamala Sarup Talking with friends about diversity in India Kathmandu, Nepal — My friend Rohan, from Africa, who was getting his master's degree from Delhi University, talked to me one day about cultural diversity. He said, "I have found that there are many beautiful languages, religions, and arts in Asia, since I started reading a book on Indian culture.
Village Voice Ashok Jha Village life in India Koilakh, India — Koilakh, a village in the state of Bihar in India, has undergone a drastic change in the last 25 years. The village economy was sustained through the upper caste of Brahmins, a situation that now has been completely reversed.		UPI Softnews Muhammad Gharebag Iran president appointed new nuclear chief Tehran, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed a new chief for the country's nuclear program, following the abrupt resignation of its veteran head.
Rupee News Moin Ansari The end of an innocent age New York, NY, United States — The Pakistan state and its actors have learned the lessons of apathetic negligence and indifferent inattentiveness. Pakistan is dealing with heavily armed terrorists, and has mounted a strong response by the Pakistan Army. The age of innocence is over.		Politics of War Raymond Caron In response to "North Korea’s trap for Japan" Ottawa, ON, Canada — In his article "North Korea’s trap for Japan," Richard Albert presented a point that Kim Jong II is a shrewd strategist and is a large source of instability for Eastern Asia. But his argument fails to support his conclusions of the re-armament of Japan, or its effect on the region.
Liberty Buddha Halder Bengali: the seventh UN official language? London, England — The Parliament of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh passed a resolution on Monday, April 6, 2009, to make Bengali an official language of the United Nations. With more than 230 million total speakers, Bengali is one of the most spoken languages in the world.		Collection of a Gangster's Words Yunfei Ran Chinese students are not machines Chengdu , China — Chinese want to spend the least money to get their children a good education, while their children have an interest in what they study. This request seems easy to fulfill, but in China, there is a huge hindrance coming from the exam-oriented education system.
Pukhtun Focus Ghulam Ghaus Taliban controls North-West Frontier Province Peshawar, Pakistan — Pakistan's North West Frontier Province has surrendered to the demand of Tehrik-e-Nefaze Shariat Muhammadi for enforcing Sharia law in the Malakand Division of North West Pakistan. Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman in Swat said they would provide support in enforcing the Sharia Regulation in the region.		Centerstage Alexander Martin Remollino Arroyo and People Power Manila, Philippines — Eight years after benefiting from a people-power uprising, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said another revolt would earn the country "condemnation whose political system is hopelessly unstable." The political scene is already very unstable, even without going through another uprising.
india happy for single gold ausaf malik Top education program is a failure Bareilly, India — The Indian government has launched a "education for all" project to provide basic elementary education to all children. The aim is to achieve the goal of Universalization of Elementary Education through a time bound approach. Sadly, funds have not reached schools and implementation remains a serious problem.		Respond instead of react Malini Shankar Trauma of a natural calamity refuses to fade way Bangalore, India — The trauma faced by survivors of the deadly Tsunami of 2004, which killed over 200,000 people in South Asia, has refused to fade away. For many survivors, the tsunami washed away their lives. It washed away the entire household of Obed Janathe, chief captain Kakana Village, Car Nicobar.