Global Voices Online

Democracy For Nepal has a list of “to do”s to accelerate growth and development in Nepal. “Focus on the information/telecommunications infrastructure more than on the physical infrastructure. Bathe the country with FM technology, the internet for the masses. Encourage the private sector to do most of it. Offer 10 years of schooling through the air waves: evening school perhaps. Target adults and children both. This makes illiteracy kind of irrelevant.”

Unheard Voices links to an article on Hizbut Tahir, which it brands as the Islamic Student Movement in Bangladesh, provoking an interesting discussion in the comments space. “Also, we can complain as much as we want about brainwahing, but there is a qualitative difference between the stereotypical youth fundy of yesteryear - uneducated, rural, lower-income, marginalized, raised in madrasah, susceptible to indoctrination - and the profile of the new activitists described in the article - educated, urban, from the mainstream, and high income.”

Salam Dhaka on involvement in politics being influenced by the impact on survival. And the answer to the question - What's in it for me? “The people have taken responsibility of their destiny. They do not expect anyone to be their great saviour. Democracy, constitution, human rights are all buzzwords for the guys like me with a fast computer connection and a stomach full of food. It makes great political commentary but has to relevance to the people. “