South Asia

Hyderabad street

Indian state of Telangana order over 900 electric buses

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation awarded a contract for 915 Telangana electric buses to GreenCell Mobility and EKA Mobility in March 2026, the first phase of a planned 2,000-bus deployment in Hyderabad under India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme. The program targets more than 14,000 zero-emission buses across nine major Indian cities, backed by government subsidies and a per-kilometer contract model that reduces financial risk for city transit authorities. India is home to 20 of the world’s 25 most polluted cities, making this shift to zero-emission public transport one of the most consequential clean air investments any government can make.

Bhumika Shrestha

Bhumika Shrestha becomes Nepal’s first out trans lawmaker

By / / Good News For Humankind

A historic milestone for representation has been reached as Bhumika Shrestha becomes the first out transgender lawmaker in the federal parliament of Nepal. A long-time leader with the Blue Diamond Society, Shrestha was appointed through the nation’s Proportional Representation system to ensure marginalized voices have a seat in the legislature. While activists maintain a measured outlook on the work remaining for marriage equality and rural acceptance, this appointment builds on a 20-year history of legal progress. This achievement provides a powerful regional blueprint for how developing nations can successfully integrate diverse identities into modern, democratic governance.

Indian girls

India set to launch free nationwide HPV vaccination for adolescent girls

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Indian government is rolling out a monumental public health initiative to provide free human papillomavirus vaccines to adolescent girls across the country. Targeting girls between the ages of nine and fourteen, the campaign aims to drastically reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. This massive undertaking is made possible by the introduction of Cervavac, an affordable, domestically produced vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India. By integrating the vaccine into existing national immunization programs and utilizing schools as distribution hubs, India is taking a proactive step toward eliminating cervical cancer and securing a healthier future.

Medieval Indian sculpture

U.S.’s Smithsonian Institution to return stolen medieval sculptures to India

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art is officially returning three ancient bronze sculptures to India after an internal investigation confirmed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the mid-twentieth century. In a unique collaborative agreement, the Indian government will allow one returned sculpture, a tenth-century Shiva Nataraja, to remain at the Washington museum on a long-term loan for educational display. This arrangement highlights a growing international commitment to decolonizing museum spaces, prioritizing transparent provenance research, and fostering cross-cultural cooperation to correct historical wrongs.

Rhino along a river

India’s rhino stronghold records zero poaching cases in 2025

By / / Good News For Humankind

This achievement marks the second time in five years that the state has successfully protected its world-famous one-horned rhinoceros population from poachers. Before the initial success in 2022, Assam had not seen a zero-poaching year since 1977. This milestone is critical for global biodiversity, as Assam is home to roughly 70% of the world’s greater one-horned rhinos.

Indian women

Indian states sending cash transfers to 118 million women for unpaid household work

By / / Good News For Humankind

Several Indian states have launched schemes to provide unconditional monthly financial compensation to homemakers. These programs are now delivering direct cash transfers to over 118 million women nationwide. This policy innovation recognizes the immense value of unpaid domestic labor, empowering women with financial independence to support their families’ health and education. It sets a powerful global precedent for validating care work as essential to the economy.

Male, Maldives

The Maldives becomes first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis & hepatitis B

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Maldives has achieved a major public health victory by eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B (HBV). This historic WHO-verified status makes the nation a global leader in maternal and child health. The success is rooted in universal antenatal screening and equitable access to medication across all islands. This achievement secures a healthier start for future generations and provides a powerful blueprint for eliminating other diseases globally.

Wind turbines in the desert

Clean energy to provide one-third of India’s utility electricity for first time ever

By / / Good News For Humankind

India’s energy sector is experiencing a monumental shift, marked by a record 20% surge in clean electricity generation in the first half of 2025. This significant increase, fueled by wind and solar power, has allowed the country to reduce its fossil fuel output by 4%. The growing share of clean power in India’s energy mix demonstrates that robust economic growth and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive goals.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Supreme Court orders $1 bn payment for X-Press Pearl disaster

By / / Good News For Humankind

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has issued a landmark verdict, ordering the owners, operators, and local agents of the MV X-Press Pearl to pay $1 billion in compensation for the catastrophic marine disaster off Colombo in 2021. The Singapore-flagged ship caught fire and sank, releasing billions of plastic nurdles and toxic chemicals, ruining marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. The court upheld the “polluter pays” principle and mandated the creation of an independent compensation commission, with the first instalment due by September 23, 2025. This judgment sets a powerful precedent for environmental justice and accountability in the Global South.

Poon Hill, Histan Mandali, Nepal

Nepal eliminates rubella as a public health problem

By / / Good News For Humankind

Nepal has officially eliminated rubella, a contagious virus that can cause serious complications for pregnant women and lifelong disabilities for newborns. Once a major public health concern, rubella often led to miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome, which can result in heart defects, deafness, and developmental challenges. Thanks to sustained vaccination campaigns and resilient health systems, Nepal has now achieved over 95% coverage since 2012. Verified by the World Health Organization, this milestone means safer pregnancies, healthier children, and greater hope for future generations.