From our newsroom to you: Progress and Empowerment

Vol. 2, Issue 4. In this edition, we cover the leaders who despite the passage of time are still fighting for change and the policies that could reshape Southasia.

Dear Sapan News readers,

It's #WomensHistoryMonth, and as a women-led news organization, we honour those who paved the way and stand with us, building bridges for future generations. Within every department and behind every headline there’s a woman contributing her expertise, passion, and vision.

Today we not only shine a spotlight on the women at the heart of Sapan News but also reshare stories of some outstanding women our media outlet has brought to you since launch — trailblazers like Pakistani author and activist Bapsi Sidhwa, Indian poet and feminist Kamla Bhasin, who has empowered communities, and documentary filmmaker Bani Singh, her story covered by Sara Arshad, a teacher and poet in Lahore who attends Aurat March, an annual women's rights protest with her daughters and sister; plus Sapan News advisor Kathy Gannon, former correspondent and bureau chief for the Associated Press in Pakistan and Afghanistan who has long has shed light on the situation of women in the region, and so many more.

‘A Wished-for Song – Mansoora Hassan in Memoriam’ – Cover of the booklet produced for Mansoora Hassan’s posthumous exhibition, featuring an essay by Southasia Peace Action Network founder member and advisor Salima Hashmi.

Offerings from our newsroom since the last newsletter:

• Over half-a-century since the Dalai Lama’s escape from Lhasa, prospects of his return to Tibet remain dim: This week marks 66 years since the Dalai Lama fled his country Tibet. Will he ever be allowed to go home? By Mayank Chhaya. Read more at this link, 16 March.

• The timeless legacy of Mansoora Hassan, an artist who merged identity and tradition with contemporary politics: A multi-dimensional artist from Lahore, settled in Washington DC who drew inspiration from across the region and diaspora. From Sufi poets to Islamic scholars and feminist icons, her explorations of femininity, identity, and social dynamics continue to provide thoughtful commentary on our human experience. By Salima Hashmi. Read more at this link, 14 March.

• The urgency of ‘Southasia’: The answer to the region’s challenges lies in real federalism: Nepali journalist and rights activist Kanak Mani Dixit challenges diaspora scholars and academics to deeply study the issue of ‘Southasia’ in a way that has not yet been attempted. By Pragyan Srivastava and Beena Sarwar. Read more at this link, 6 March.

Architectural rendering of a proposed bridge containing a healthcare center in Gelephu Mindfulness City. Photo from GMC Bhutan.

• The hidden costs of Bhutan’s Gelephug ‘mindfulness city’: A people displaced and a call for justice: It’s not often that change comes without a price. Bhutan can set an example for the world, demonstrating that progress and morality are not mutually exclusive. By Suraj Budathoki. Read more at this link,1 March.

• ‘I want India and Pakistan to make peace in my lifetime’ – Zehra Nigah: A chance encounter in an airport with one of Pakistan’s most respected and iconic progressive poets ignites new perspectives. By Beena Sarwar. Read more at this link, 22 February.

Thank you for reading our stories. Your donation supports the women at Sapan News who are shaping the future of media, giving a platform to and amplifying unheard voices. Every contribution counts.