Monthly Archives: February 2012

Plight of young brides in Kashmir, sold to older strangers for a pittance

Knees pressed against her chest, Sakina huddles near the window of a sparsely furnished house. Her face is lit by a solitary ray of sunlight creeping into the cold room. It creates shadows around the petite woman who is wrapped … Continue reading

Posted in India, women, World | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kashmir’s new battle with drugs

Ali shuffles across the quiet yard of a drug de-addiction centre in Srinagar, the capital of India-administered Kashmir. The 26-year-old sought help after a decade of using drugs ranging from brown sugar to codeine. Ali recalled being high when he … Continue reading

Posted in India, SmartPlanet | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Changing elephant poo to green paper

The elephant ride up the stone pathway of the medieval Amber fort outside Jaipur is designed to make tourists feel like Rajput warriors returning from battle—-or something on those fantastical lines. But one man, watching the majestic procession a few … Continue reading

Posted in India, SmartPlanet | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment