South Asia – Catalyst

The Myth of the Oriental Beauty: The History of the Hypersexualization of Asian Women

April 9, 2021April 8, 20214 min read Ruolan Ma

After nearly 200 years, Asian women are still not being given the respect and dignity that they deserve, all because of a sick and incorrect stereotype. When will the world stop seeing Asian women through this hypersexualizing and dehumanizing filter?

The Consequences of Fast-Fashion in the Global South

April 3, 2021April 3, 20217 min read Juliana Malka

Today, eco-colonialism is a major consequence of fast fashion practices stemming from the fatal environmental and the social consequences.

Interview with Mahnoor Ali Syed

March 31, 2021March 31, 20212 min read The Catalyst Editorial Board

The Catalyst team met with Mahnoor Ali Syed to discuss her upcoming article “Chador aur Chardevari: the Veil and Women's Agency in Pakistan” in the upcoming Spring 2021 edition of Chrysalis.

Stifling Dissent: The Regulation of Internet in India

March 29, 2021April 9, 20216 min read Nikhita Panwar

The decline of political and civil liberties has accelerated since Modi's re-election in 2019. During this time, authorities have increased regulation of, and access to, online spaces as a means to control political discourse and stifle dissenting voices.

The Silenced Kashmiri Narrative

March 26, 2021March 26, 20217 min read Misbah Lalani

The feelings and livelihoods of the Kashmiri people have been constantly disrupted and compromised by fighting between India and Pakistan. Civilians of Kashmir are pawns in the hands of these armed, nuclear powers.

The Upheaval of the Indian Farming System

February 19, 2021March 6, 20217 min read Mehak Balwani and Nikhita Panwar

Demonstrations led by farmers over recent months represent the largest-ever mobilization of farmers in independent India. The death toll has risen to over 70 lives. The overarching demand is the repeal of three laws and the maintenance of minimum support prices (MSPs). In the larger context, however, the standoff can be seen as the fallout caused by the demise of the Green Revolution.

A “Developing Nation” Forever? Why India’s Flawed Judiciary System Is Impairing Its Development Trajectory

February 17, 2021March 2, 20217 min read Aakanksha Mathur

While India boasts economic growth figures that exceed 6%, holistic development cannot be achieved until policies and legislation consider grassroots inequalities. India, the largest democracy in the world, is globally regarded as an economic force to be reckoned with. However, many rulings and loopholes in the judiciary system imply an uneven, and arguably stagnant, development in terms of women’s rights and safety in India. This should hamper broader understandings of development in India.

The Hazards of Disconnectedness in Climate Change Adaptation Discourse

February 5, 2021March 14, 20217 min read Melanie Baume

As Global North countries have taken the lead in instituting climate change policy and conceptualizing adaptation, their politics have not taken into consideration local and indigenous sources of information when shaping concepts like vulnerability and adaptation.

Authority, Liberty, and COVID-19 in the World’s Greatest Democracy

November 13, 2020December 29, 20207 min read Santhindu Wijesooriya

The United States, with its decentralized government, has completely lost the battle against the novel coronavirus. China, Canada, and Sri Lanka, however, with their greater executive authority, have collectively demonstrated that the United States had no excuse for their malpractice. The three nations and their adherence to executive jurisdiction, demonstrated noteworthy abilities to combat an unanticipated crisis, leaving humanity to observe the capital of individual liberty and freedom in utter dismay.

Education in Bangladesh During COVID-19

November 7, 2020December 29, 20203 min read Kibel Aker

While many lockdown restrictions were later lifted on May 31st, the reopening of educational institutions was delayed to September. During this time, the country opted to adopt remote learning. However, Bangladesh didn’t have the digital infrastructure to move their complete education system to an online platform as planned.