#South asia

[mapsontheweb]

Prefix of names of South Asian countries

[deletingmyself]

(by Khaled Ali)| Nepal

[guldaastan]

there has been a telecommunications blackout in bangladesh. several official bangladeshi websites have been hacked by a group called 'THE R3SISTANC3'.

[curtwilde]

Bangladesh Protests: Latest Updates

- The death toll from the student protests in Bangladesh has risen to 114, with thousands more injured.

- Tanks have been deployed in Dhaka.

- A curfew was imposed on Saturday, which was relaxed for two hours on the same day to allow people to shop for supplies.

- A near-total internet blackout has been imposed in Bangladesh since Thursday, with text message services and overseas telephone calls remaining disrupted.

Edit: Post was made on 21 July 2024. Check reblogs for updates since then.

[lesbianlenses]

Interview of a mason in Bangalore, India, working for the all-women architecture firm, Mason's Ink.

[asiablog-universe]

Scuba Diving, Maldives: With clear blue water, white sand beaches, and great visibility, scuba diving in the Maldives is an unforgettable experience in an idyllic paradise. During a diving trip to the Maldives, you may see manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, soft & hard corals and much more. The archipelago is also known for its great assortment of dive resorts. .. The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. Wikipedia

[life-on-our-planet]

A fishing cat practices hunting with her kittens. BBC Earth

[sonyaheaneyauthor]

A woman lighting the candles for Hindu light festival Diwali. X

[kaalbela]

Kantha (Bengali: কাঁথা) is a form of embroidery originating in Bengal region, i.e. Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and parts of Assam. It has its roots in nakshi kantha, an ancient practice among bengali women of making quilts from old saris and rags by sewing them together. In modern usage, kantha generally refers to the specific type of stitch used. The kantha needlework is distinct and recognised for its delicacy. The stitching on the cloth gives it a slightly wrinkled, wavy effect. Today, kantha embroidery can be found on all types of garments as well as household items like pillowcases, bags and cushions.

While it is an increasingly diversifying art form, traditional kantha embroidery motifs are still sought after. Traditional kantha embroidery is two-dimensional and are usually of two distinct types: geometric forms with a central focal point, carried over from the nakshi kantha tradition and influenced by islamic art forms; and more fluid plant, floral, animal and rural motifs with stick-figure humans depicting folklores and rural life in Bengal.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 | textile series

[folkfashion]

Tamang woman, Nepal, by PhotoKhichuwa

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Investigating the Indian Bullfrog

Indian bullfrogs, also known as Hoplobatrachus tigerinus is a large species of frog native to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. They are found in many types of freshwater habitat including wetlands, lakes, and urban ponds and rice paddies.

H. tigerinus is one of the larger frog species, weighing anywhere from 0.27 to 0.77 kg (0.6 to 1.7 lb) and measuring about 167 mm (6.60 in) in length; females tend to be larger than males. Outside the breeding season, males and females are virtually identical, with brown or olive green skin and a yellow stripe running down their back. During the breeding season males turn bright yellow, and their vocal sacs turn blue or purple. This bright coloration indicates to females that they're healthy and strong, and the brighter the color the more mates a male will attract.

Breeding for Indian bullfrogs occurs throughout the monsoon season, from July to November. Once they change color, males find a suitable watering hole and begin calling to attract females. After a female chooses a male, other males often attempt to climb on top of the mating pair and insert themselves into the pairing. Once she has finished with her selected mate, the female moves to a quiet area and attaches a clutch of up to 5,000 eggs to underwater vegetation. Several days later the eggs hatch, and tadpoles take several weeks to metamorphose into their adult form. Males reach full maturity in only 10 months, while females take up to two years. Individuals can live up to seven years in the wild.

Outside the mating season, H. tigerinus is nocturnal. They spend most of their time foraging in the leaf litter and brush surrounding their freshwater habitats. Their main diet consists of invertebrates like beetles, worms, and centipedes, and adults will also opportunistically feed on small mammals and birds. Tadpoles are primary predators of mosquito larvae. The main predators of adult Indian bullfrogs are snakes, especially the Asiatic water snake.

Conservation status: The IUCN has rated the Indian bullfrog as Least Concern. They are highly adaptable to urban environments. The species has been introduced in many countries outside its native range, including the Maldives and Madagascar, where it is considered an invasive species.

Photos

Kishan Meena

H. H. Harikrishnan et al.

Danile Nasika

[inatcanids]

Persian and Indian Wolf Canis lupus ssp. pallipes

Observed by orijit, CC BY-NC

[guldaastan]

Bangladesh 50 years ago and Bangladesh this week

[reasonsforhope]

"India has reached a key milestone in renewable energy, with the country’s total renewable energy capacity exceeding 200 gigawatts as of Oct. 10, 2024, according to the Central Electricity Authority. The renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity now stands at 201.45 GW, accounting for 46.3% of the nation’s total installed capacity.

This milestone is the result of years of efforts to harness India’s natural resources. From solar parks to wind farms and hydroelectric projects, the country has built a diverse renewable energy base, reducing fossil fuel dependence and enhancing energy security.

India's total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW, with renewable energy contributing a significant portion of the overall power mix as the country continued to increase its dependence on cleaner, non-fossil fuel energy sources and push towards its sustainability goals.

When factoring in the 8,180 MW of nuclear capacity, the total non-fossil fuel-based power now accounts for almost half of the country's installed electricity generation capacity, signalling a strong move towards clean energy leadership on the global stage.

Renewable Energy

A variety of renewable energy resources contribute to this impressive figure. Solar power leads the way with 90.76 GW, playing a crucial role in India’s efforts to harness its abundant sunlight. Wind power follows closely with 47.36 GW, driven by the vast potential of the coastal and inland wind corridors across the country.

Hydroelectric power is another key contributor, with large hydro projects generating 46.92 GW and small hydropower adding 5.07 GW, offering a reliable and sustainable source of energy from India’s rivers and water systems.

Biopower, including biomass and biogas energy, adds another 11.32 GW to the renewable energy mix. These bioenergy projects are vital for utilising agricultural waste and other organic materials to generate power, further diversifying India’s clean energy sources. Together, these renewable resources are helping the country reduce its dependence on traditional fossil fuels while driving progress towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Leading States In Renewable Energy Capacity

Several states in India have emerged as leaders in renewable energy capacity, making significant contributions to the nation's progress. These states are essential to advancing India’s renewable energy goals and fostering a sustainable energy future.

Rajasthan leads the pack with an impressive 29.98 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, capitalising on its extensive land and abundant sunlight.

Following closely is Gujarat, which boasts a capacity of 29.52 GW, driven by its strong focus on solar and wind energy projects. Tamil Nadu ranks third with 23.70 GW, leveraging its favourable wind patterns to generate substantial energy. While Karnataka rounds out the top four with a capacity of 22.37 GW, supported by a mix of solar and wind initiatives.

India's commitment to renewable energy is reflected in the annual electricity generation trends in recent years. The Government of India has introduced various measures and initiatives to promote and accelerate renewable energy capacity nationwide, aiming for an ambitious target of 500 GW of installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030."

-via NDTV, October 14, 2024

[curtwilde]

Port workers of India stand with Palestine

[molkolsdal]

Arsalan Khan