In an interesting discovery while digging into Asia’s varied architectural styles, i found amazing similarities between Kerala’s (South Indian State) traditional Nalukettu houses and traditional Japanese temples. Its a strange fact, endorsed by several architects in the region who have compared the layout, usage of space and shape of the houses and temples, but it is believed that the Nalukettu houses are influenced by the Japanese, history of how they were influenced however remains ambiguous.

The Nalukettu houses is quadrangular building constructed within a large compound usually the center of family life. Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. The four wings surrounding the quadrangle courtyard follow the tenants of Vastu Shastra - specifically placed rooms to house a large joint family and their guests. Created using wood and tiles, the interior of the house is decorated with antiques made from teak, sandalwood, mahogany. However it is the traditional exterior of carved and slotted wood and has a close resemblance to East Asian gabled and thatched structures.

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Not surprising, three emerging Asian countries out of the top five were voted as the most likely to pay bribes to win business in other countries. In a survey conducted by anti-corruption organization Transparency International, Russia was voted the most likely to pay bribes, followed by China and India. Conversely, wealthier, more developed countries Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands were voted the least likely to pay bribes to win business in other countries.

In the previous Bribe Payers Index (BPI), published in 2006, India was named as the worst, followed by China and Russia, while Switzerland, Sweden and Australia got the highest scores.

Looking at the larger picture, experts who specialize in governance relate a country’s level of corruption to long-term economic growth and investment. In Asia, this means countries  such as Singapore and Hong Kong which have made concerted efforts to stamp out corruption have witnessed higher growth and FDI inflows as compared to country’s such as Myanmar which was ranked amongst the world’s most corrupt countries by TI. Of the emerging countries, Malaysia ranks high, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines in that order.

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Here’s wishing all 2point6billion readers a warm, Merry Christmas!! Enjoy the Asian version of popular Christmas songs we all know and love to sing!Click on the pictures to view the songs in their Asian avataar.

The terrorists that attacked Mumbai came to the city via sea. The effortless way in which they entered the city and took it hostage begs the question of why India doesn’t have a better naval security system or the larger and more important question of why an international city like Mumbai, with massive traffic woes doesn’t use its waterways better?

Other Asian cities such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and Taiwan all use their waterways to some extent - either to ease traffic congestion, for tourism or for floating markets. An inexpensive and environment friendly way to commute, using inland waterways is increasingly been promoted by governments as a better way to move about.

The best example is probably Bangkok’s boats that ply both between the two banks of the Chao Phraya river as well as along the river. Transporting thousands of people a day, Thailand’s river transportation has considerably solved the massive traffic and pollution the city suffered from.

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UPDATES: As of 4pm India time (+5:30 hrs GMT)

- Large quantity of RDX found at two locations.
- 148 hostages released after Commando raid on Trident Oberoi Hotels.
- Fighting continuing between remaining terrorists and Military.
- Jewish Hostages at Nariman Point still incarcerated.

34 hours after terrorists struck the heart of south Mumbai, national security guards have almost flushed out the terrorists from the Taj hotel. Armed men and helicopters continue in their quest to drive out the terrorists holed up in a Jewish center the Nariman House and the Oberoi-Trident. While fierce gun battle still persists, 125 have been declared dead, including 14 policemen and six foreigners, 327 are injured.

While the terrorists are most probably out to make an international statement by targeting tourist hot spots, the mass number of Indian casualties too cannot be discounted. Of the 125 already declared dead 119 were Indian nationals, a majority of the injured are also Indians, casual by-standers who were killed in random firing at public places that are usually very crowded.

Sources say a majority of the Indian’s who were killed were innocent people going home after a day’s work from the center of the city from Mumbai’s biggest railway station to their homes in the suburbs, or patients in hospitals and their relatives and staff at the targeted hotels. What is disheartening is that the Indians that are believed to have been killed hail not from the affluent part of south mumbai where they worked but probably from smaller towns and cities outside the city. Being a service centered city, Mumbai is known as the melting pot of Mumbai where millions come to make it big. Many of them end up working as waiters in hotels, nurses in hospitals and everyday clergymen.

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The Indian Association of Shanghai celebrated this year’s Diwali Festival at Shangri-la Pudong’s China Hall with the Indian rock band, Euphoria.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most popular celebrations from South Asia. It is celebrated by Jains, Sikhs and Hindus.

The lights signify the victory of good over the evil within every human being and is based on different legends found in India.

Dezan Shira & Associates’ Regional Manager, Olaf Griese, at the Diwali celebrations last Saturday with representatives from Jet Airways

An Indian lawyer, living in Beijing since the past two years, Nitin Sen has a keen, practical  understanding of both India, and China - the economic, social and political changes surging through the nations as well as the unique complimentary relationship the countries share.  2point6billion, discusses Asia and its combined potential, the legal systems and the road ahead with this multi talented lawyer.

2point6billion.com: Are there any aspects of the Chinese legal system which will help it ride the financial tsunami? / grow?

Mr. Sen: The strict regime on RMB convertibility and exchange rate as well as restrictions on investing abroad have ensured that China has remained relatively unaffected. We can be sure that the policy makers will fine tune the regulatory system to ensure that China remains protected from exposure to the financial tsunami.

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Asia has some very colorful, interesting and practical national dresses. Due to a common history, many of the national dresses are similar in style with those of their neighboring countries, while many of dresses cross national borders. Take for example the sari - a strip of colorful cloth either five or nine meters long, its draped in different styles around women across the Indian Subcontinent. Similarly, the Shalwar Kameez (pronounced differently in various parts of South Asia) is a long tunic worn over loose pajama trousers. The Shalwar Kameez is worn by women across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Further, Cambodia’s national dress the Sampot, a skirt-like wrap around cloth is a dress similar to that worn in Laos and Thailand. The similarity, comes from the Khmer rule that had immense cultural influences on Lao and Thai culture.

Below, are a few national dresses from around Asia:

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Asia has always been the birthplace of thought and innovation, the cradle of knowledge and invention. Some of the most basic inventions created in Asia such as the modern number system, silk, toothbrushes and gunpowder are still very much in use today.

Lets take a look down memory lane to see the inventions that originated from various Asian nations.

Silk, gunpowder, ink, the toothbrush, the kite, abacus, toilet paper, porcelain, the magnetic compass and the circulation of paper currency all came from China. While enough has been chronicled about China’s silk, gunpowder, abacus and porcelain, lets take a look at some of its more unconventional inventions. Toothbrushes initially made from bamboo and pig bristles placed at right angles were invented in the middle kingdom in 1498, they came to Europe only only 150-200 years later. The Chinese also claim they invented toilet paper way back in 589 A.D., atleast the first reference to the practice comes from Chinese court official Yan Zhitui in 589 A.D..

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If you think China’s powder milk scandal is the only food poisoning us, think again. Almost all food that mankind consumes today has some degree of chemical. Depending on where your food comes from, it could have varying levels and different kinds of chemicals. Both harmful and harmless chemicals creep into foods in a multitude of ways, while some are sprayed on food to keep insects and pests away, others seep in through the soil, yet others are pumped into fruits and vegetables making carrots oranger, apples rounder and redder and peaches bigger.

Modern science luckily, has allowed us to calculate and determine for ourselves the right amount of chemicals we can ingest before its fatal, the publicity of which gives rise to going back to the basics or a more marketable term - Organic foods.

Various governments around the world have identified several chemicals which when they reside in your body for long periods of time can create defects, abnormalities and/or death. The following are a list of chemicals found in our everyday foods, and the effects they have on humans.

What are the prime suspects?

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