South Asia

The Indian film industry, which churns out up to 1,600 films a year, has not yet recovered from the pandemic. Regional, non-Hindi productions, on the other hand, are increasingly popular. Films are also dragging with them the popularity of music: new genres and artists are emerging thanks to social media.

Whether it is in Mumbai, Delhi or Goa, stories abound of abandoned infants, especially baby girls, dumped in rubbish bins, prey to animals. Less than 2 per cent of approximately 30 million orphans and abandoned children find a place in a facility. For Dr Pascoal Carvalho, a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, a “society needs to be judged not by its per capita income but by whether we have support systems in place for those who struggle with emotional and material needs.”

Great fervour accompanied celebrations in Kandhamal, a district marred by violence 15 years ago. For Fr Madan Singh, “Many tribal people of other faiths came with lighted candles to pay homage to the new born king in the crib.” The largest sand statue of Santa Claus in the world is made on Gopalpur beach.

The other news of the day: Christmas saw some 35,000 people displaced due to heavy rains in northern Mindanao; faced with the spread of COVID-19, India reintroduces testing for travellers entering from China and three other countries; five major NGOs are set to leave Afghanistan after the Taliban ban them from employing female staff; two Tajik nationals convicted in Russia for drug trafficking die in the war in Ukraine.

Official data indicate that a milestone has been reached in a country that until a few years ago had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Now reducing the rate to under 70 is an achievable goal to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Still, regional differences persist among Indian states.

The premier's meeting with the tiny community in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. "Jesus Christ taught us to do the good of man. Every person has the same rights". Dhaka Archbishop Bejoy N. Cruze: "We pray that he may lead the country properly".

A group of consumers yesterday filed a complaint with 18 charges against Electricity Minister Kanchana Wijesekera. Several Sri Lankans have said that if there is an increase in prices they will refuse to pay and take to the streets. Many others are already struggling because of economic hardships.

A social entrepreneur who first arrived in the country in 2009, after various experiences in the field of cooperation she now supports a pasta workshop that employs 15 women. While the Taliban impose yet another crackdown on the right to female education, the girls help each other by exploiting the open spaces left by the law.

In Narayanpur district, hundreds of protesters want complaints to be filed against people who have attacked and evicted tribal residents for converting to Christianity, instigated by local politicians. As many 21 such incidents have been reported this month. “Our fundamental rights [. . .] are being taken away from us,” reads one complaint.

A study by Oxford University notes that only few Asian countries have met the 2020 targets. Thus, the continent will find it hard to meet the commitments made in Montreal. Chaired by China, the conference ended with an agreement to protect 30 per cent of land and restore 30 per cent of degraded areas by 2030. Clashing with African countries, China opposed setting up a special fund.

Superior of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Marc, Sister Ligy Payyappilly chose to stay close to the local population after Russia’s invasion. She tells AsiaNews about the courage of the Ukrainians and how, on Christmas, her convent will become a place of shelter and welcome.

Archbishop of Karachi MSgr Travas: "Jesus came to a very poor and downtrodden family to remind us that that is where love begins". In Sahiwal a march of Christians through the bazaars and streets to spread a message of unity. Prayers for those still suffering from this summer's floods.