South Asia Current Issues
World Cultures, Mrs. Erdeljac Updated: April 2019
Directions
Conflict in Kashmir & Nuclear Issues
When did this conflict start? What caused it?
What does Pakistan want? What does India want? Why?
What is the history of the fighting and nuclear threats between India and Pakistan?
What is the current status of the conflict between India and Pakistan, including any problems that have occurred recently?
Websites
India's Government and Corruption
Who is India’s Prime Minister and what party is he from? How long has he been in power and what is the public opinion about him and his leadership?
What is the state of corruption in India and what has the government done to address it?
What are some key facts about India’s upcoming general election? What is the voting process like and why does it take so long?
What are the predictions about the outcomes of the election? Why is this election so important in both India and in the world?
Websites
https://www.cnn.com/2015/01/19/world/narendra-modi-fast-facts/index.html
https://www.pewglobal.org/2019/03/25/a-sampling-of-public-opinion-in-india/
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/28/asia/india-modi-strong-leader-intl/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47825366
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/15/asia/india-election-what-to-know-intl/index.html
Hindu Nationalism & Hindu/Muslim Relations
What is Hindu Nationalism and what are its origins?
What is the BJP and how is it connected to Hindu Nationalism? What role has the Prime Minister and the current government played fueling Hindu Nationalism?
How have Muslims been discriminated against in India? Explain at least two different examples.
What controversial laws were made stricter in some areas of India in 2017 for a period of time? Why was this a hardship for Muslims and a form of discrimination?
Websites
https://qz.com/630144/explainer-what-are-the-origins-of-todays-hindu-nationalism/
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/india-modi-culture/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-39427552
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-s-supreme-court-tackles-cow-protecting-mob-lynching-n911771
Women & Gender Imbalance in India
What challenges do women face regarding personal rights and safety?
What measures have been put into place to improve personal rights and safety for women? What is still lacking?
What are the underlying societal issues that contribute to the rape crisis and other crimes against women and girls in India?
Define purdah, sati, dowry killing, and female infanticide. Explain how these terms impact women and girls in India.
Websites
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/27/india-abuse-women-human-rights-rape-girls
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/21/asia/india-teen-rapist-analysis-agrawal/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/08/asia/india-women-rape-intl/index.html
http://countrystudies.us/india/84.htm
https://www.rt.com/news/india-ritual-suicide-sati/
http://www.thenational.ae/world/south-asia/dowries-and-death-continue-apace-in-india
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/14/world/asia/india-female-infanticide/
India’s Population & Economic Trends
What are the current trends with regard to India’s economic growth and competitiveness? What are some of the reasons for these trends?
What is the status of economic freedom in India? How might this affect the people?
What are the current trends with regard to India’s population? Comment on size, age demographics, religious demographics, etc.
What are some benefits for India related to its population trends? What are some challenges facing India related to its population trends?
Websites
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/05/economy/narendra-modi-economy-election-india/index.html
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/India-biggest-future-three-challenges-consumption/
http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/28/news/economy/india-economy-gdp-7-2-growth/index.html
https://www.heritage.org/index/country/india
https://www.dw.com/cda/en/how-has-indias-economy-fared-under-pm-narendra-modi/a-48251747
http://www.businessinsider.com/sc/india-population-profile-economic-implications-2016-10
http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/08/news/economy/india-population-skills-gap-education/
India’s Tech Boom & Technology Sector
What is the current status and expected growth of India’s IT industry? What types of jobs are included in this industry?
Why is reskilling or retraining so important for the Indian workforce today? What kinds of changes will Indian IT companies need to make as “demand for digital services rises”?
How have international events such as Brexit and Trump’s policies affected the IT industry in India? What are some effects of this on Indian IT workers?
Even with a booming technology sector, there are still millions of Indians without internet access. What are the main reasons for this?
Websites
https://qz.com/india/1502573/indias-it-sector-will-have-250000-jobs-for-techies-in-2019/
https://qz.com/india/986997/indias-150-billion-it-industry-has-a-new-mantra-re-skill-or-perish/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/India-biggest-future-three-challenges-consumption/
http://www.forbesindia.com/article/leaderboard/indian-it-services-sector-time-for-a-reboot/49671/1
https://www.dw.com/en/trumps-protectionist-policies-shake-indias-it-industry/a-42945608
http://money.cnn.com/2016/03/09/technology/india-internet-access/
http://www.newsindiatimes.com/india-at-center-of-digital-divide-reveals-pew-survey
https://qz.com/india/1310947/india-ranks-last-in-pews-survey-of-internet-penetration/
Environmental Issues in India
What is the status of air pollution in India? How does it compare to China and other areas of the world? Cite specific examples and statistics.
What are the main causes of India’s air pollution? What are the health and economic effects of air pollution on the people of India?
How is the government responding to the issue of air pollution? What are some criticisms of this response?
What are the main reasons for pollution in the Ganges and how is it negatively impacting the people who rely on this river as a life source? How has the Indian government responded to this issue?
Websites
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/india-world-worst-air-pollution-report-190305151923982.html
https://ig.ft.com/india-pollution/
https://www.vox.com/2018/5/8/17316978/india-pollution-levels-air-delhi-health
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/burning-crops-are-a-top-source-of-air-pollution-in-india-study-finds
https://qz.com/1489086/air-pollution-in-india-caused-1-2-million-deaths-last-year/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-aad46fca-734a-45f9-8721-61404cc12a39
http://www.newsweek.com/2015/10/02/ganges-river-dying-under-weight-modern-india-375347.html
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