
Illustration: Akila Weerasinghe
We are excited to present our special series, Unmasking Southasia: The pandemic issue, a collection of reportage, essays and analyses from a post-pandemic Southasia. In light of the monotonous flood of COVID-19 coverage over the past year, these articles offer alternative ways to think about Southasia’s diverse yet shared futures. Read the note from the editors for more on why, and how, we decided to put together this digital issue.
Over the coming weeks we will be publishing the following essays, commentaries, reportage and more, illustrated by Colombo-based artist Akila Weerasinghe.
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In this issue:
A conversation with environmental historian Sunil Amrith, on how COVID-19 has exacerbated inequality and overshadowed climate change across Southasia.

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Vidya Balachander explores how food helps us connect, exhibit power, and protest.

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Avantika Mehta on why another lockdown would be shattering for India’s sex workers.

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Marginal notes on a collaborative journal of lockdown by Sunila Galappatti.

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Amanda Lanzillo on cholera, COVID-19 and colonial links to prison practices.

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Andrew Fidel Fernando on how the cricketing world adjusted to the pandemic.

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Sehyr Mirza on how Pakistani women continue to challenge patriarchal norms.

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Nimmi Kurian on how border regions can be central to building a post-pandemic Southasia.

Alizeh Kohari on how COVID-19 impacted civic mobilisation and organising in Southasia.

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This special series will be available for free. To help us continue our independent, interesting and irreverent coverage of Southasia, do check out our membership plans and support our work!
Supported by Heinrich Böll Stiftung Hong Kong’s Asia | Global Dialogue Programme.
