South Asia

After the syrup scandal, India’s cosmetics industry has come under scrutiny for toxic products. Yet, the sector is still growing, especially via online sales. Although India banned misleading ads and requires prescriptions for certain beauty creams, little has changed. What is more, the demand for skin-lightening products continues to grow despite known long-term side effects.

Opposition leaders are ahead in early polls for Sri Lanka's presidential election, with a significant lead over the current president, who at the last UNP conference called on his party members to prepare for the 2024 elections.

Superior General of the Apostolic Carmelite Congregation participates in the Synod, bringing the voice of India's 130,000 women religious. "We are seeking leadership that goes beyond the emphasis on the question of roles, to rediscover that these are services to be performed with humility". "In the face of harassment, silent suffering no longer makes sense".

In the country's eight dioceses, more than 60,000 rosaries have been distributed to increase Marian devotion. Even in the small local Catholic community, stories of graces obtained through Our Lady's intercession are growing. Fr Manuel Gomes: "A prayer that also strengthens the bonds in families".

The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has formally authorised the opening of the cause of beatification for Christians killed by Hindu nationalists in 2008. The canonical process will involve Kanteshwar Digal, a lay catechist and a family man, and 34 companions. For Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, knowing that “our own brothers and sisters” have not been forgotten as witnesses of faith “is something great”.

The president and leader of the United National Party (UNP) presents himself as a "strong man" in a country in crisis with cumbersome neighbours like China and India. Voters hope that the next parliament will lift the economy and solve endemic problems, but some analysts doubt whether they will actually be held next year.

The arrival of the first missionaries among tea plantation workers was remembered with the presence of PIME’s Superior General Fr Brambillasca and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Girelli. The “first seed is bearing fruit today, even far away,” Fr Brambillasca said, thanks to Indian missionaries “currently working in different parts of the world”.

It is clear that the military has allowed Sharif to return home after four years in exile in London for the elections, experts say. Meanwhile, the other former prime minister, Imran Khan, has been indicted on new charges, yet continues to enjoy great popularity. The political interactions between the two will determine how voters will cast their ballot.

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Protesters hold a rally against “menstrual poverty" due to high-priced sanitary napkins, taxed like a luxury item. Priced at 45 rupees in Nepal and Thailand, they cost at least 300 in Sri Lanka. For this reason, many female students are forced to stay away from school when they have their period.

The commitment of the Archdiocese of Mumbai to its mission, in an area of Maharashtra where more than 11% of the population belongs to aboriginal groups, traditionally on the margins of society. P. Malu: "We meet people in their situation, often walking on dirt roads, uphill to get involved in their lives". Crad. Gracias: "We proclaim the message of the Gospel with our lives".

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