South Asia

Kolkata’s Jewish population is dwindling

Sacred Spaces

The Jewish community in Kolkata came from all over the Middle East, from places like Syria and Iraq. Once home to around 5,000 Jews, only 20 still remain there.

Why Indian men are fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Conflict & Justice

Out of Eden Walk: Witnessing the 2021 Myanmar coup

Out of Eden Walk

Out of Eden Walk: Northeastern India, by foot

Out of Eden Walk

Bangladesh’s prime minister resigns amid violent protests

Protest

Out of Eden Walk: On foot across northern India

Out of Eden Walk

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek talks about his walk through northern India, where modern farming with high-yield seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, tractors and motorized well pumps have made India self-sufficient in food. But as he tells host Carolyn Beeler, it has come at a cost to the environment, water supply and some traditional ways of life.

Students in Bangladesh call for leadership change as protests against quota system turn violent

Protest

Protests against a job quota system in Bangladesh have turned violent. The World’s host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Samina Luthfa, who teaches sociology at the University of Dhaka, about why people are upset.

Large group of Indian farmers sitting on a green ground outside

‘We are helpless’: Protesting farmers in India pose challenges — and demands — to Modi

With polls opening this month in India, farmers are angry with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2021, Modi made a rare concession by repealing farm laws after they were met with massive months-long protests in Delhi. Now, farmers are returning to the streets. Sushmita Pathak reports from Delhi that the main demand now is guaranteed crop prices.

Black and white illustration of a boat on rocky waters

A boat carrying 180 Rohingya refugees vanished. A frantic phone call helped untangle the mystery.

Refugees

Last year, an estimated 3,500 Rohingya Muslims boarded wooden boats and set off from Bangladesh, across hundreds of miles of dangerous waters in the Bay of Bengal, in search of starting new lives in Malaysia or Indonesia. Hundreds of them never made it.

Prem Pariyar stands in front of Alexander Meiklejohn Hall on the campus of California State University, East Bay.

‘Hidden discrimination’: California university joins national trend to protect against caste bias on campus

On Course

Caste was outlawed decades ago across South Asia. But it still exists and has found its way to American campuses.