India’s gay sex ban is struck down
In a groundbreaking victory for gay rights, India’s Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously struck down one of the world’s oldest bans on consensual gay sex.
South Asia
South Asia spans countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and their neighbors. This archive gathers progress stories from the region — covering public health, education, climate adaptation, economic inclusion, and more.
India energy minister flags massive 100GW solar tender – by far the largest ever
India’s energy minister R K Singh has flagged a massive solar tender of 100GW — by far the biggest in the world, as the fastest growing energy consumer turns increasingly to renewables to satisfy its enormous needs.
India increases its 2022 renewable energy target by 28%
India’s power and renewable energy minister announced that India was increasing its 2022 target by 52 GW up to 227 GW.
India aims to criminalize witch doctor practice of branding sick children with hot irons
When a traditional healer burned hot clay into the chest of two-year-old Kushbu Lal, she died. Now moves are afoot to criminalize a practice that continues to cost lives.
India approves massive new 5,000 megawatt solar farm
India’s federal government recently gave the go-ahead for development of the country’s largest solar power park in the state of Gujarat.
Cheap renewable energy is killing India’s coal-based power plants
Renewable energy prices in India are crashing, leaving coal-based power plants in the country financially unviable in their wake.
Nepal eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The country becomes the first in WHO’s South-East Asia Region to defeat the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
Pakistan passes historic transgender rights bill
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act allows people to choose their gender and to have that identity recognized on official documents, including national IDs, passports and driver’s licenses.
Marvia Malik becomes Pakistan’s first transgender news anchor
Malik says she had to work hard to break taboos and finally be accepted by a society that discriminates against transgender people.
Indian Government launches the world’s first floating solar power program
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), which is administered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India (MNRE) has invited expressions of interest to build 10,000 MW of floating solar PV over the next three years.