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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In a stunning boost to discovering, protecting and conserving our environment, the World Wildlife Fund have discovered over 1,000 new species in the last decade in South East Asia’s Greater Mekong River region which spans flows 4500 kilometers through Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma and South China’s Yunnan province. The WWF said amongst the 1068 new species discovered, there were 519 plants, 279 fish, 88 frogs, 88 spiders, 46 lizards and 22 snakes. Scientists said they had found only a few in each species, many of which were already considered extinct or endangered. (more…)

Bird flu has raised its ugly head again and is spreading quickly throughout most of Asia and beyond. Cases have been confirmed by the WHO in Hong Kong, North East India, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia, while South Korea and Thailand have been put on high alert. According to the Wall Street Journal, Indian authorities in the North eastern state of Assam said they would cull 200,000 chickens while Hong Kong authorities have already quarantined a chicken farm and culled 80,000 birds. In Indonesia, two deaths by avian influenza were confirmed while in Cambodia, a 19 year old girl is known to have caught the H5N1 virus.

The spread and massive outbreak of the avian virus five years after it created havoc across south east Asia begs the question of effectiveness of the vaccines. Even though the spread of viruses are amplified when the weather changes - around this time, many experts believe that poultry farms are using vaccines that don’t provide full protection against the H5N1 virus or its mutations, leaving millions vulnerable.

“The virus is definitely mutating,” Guan Yi, an expert on the H5N1 virus at the University of Hong Kong told Reuters, warning that in some areas authorities were using batches of vaccine that were no longer effective.

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The rising cost of college in America coupled with massive job cuts and an economy in recession means that it is becoming more difficult for American students to afford college tuition fees.  Meanwhile across the globe, the situation being not so dire, Asian students continue to apply to top American universities often paying high fees.

The New York Times quoted an annual report published by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, entitled Measuring Up saying that published college tuition and fees increased 439 percent from 1982 to 2007, adjusted for inflation, while median family income rose 147 percent. Student borrowing has more than doubled in the last decade, and students from lower-income families, on average, get smaller grants from the colleges they attend than students from more affluent families.

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Its increasingly evident that extremist groups or terrorists operate well coordinated global organizations that not only financially aid each other but also offer excellent intelligence and training facilities. These militants are dedicated to their cause, united against a common enemy and have obviously developed the sophistication for mass destruction while following detailed instructions from afar. The fact that they are so well prepared and a growing global menace makes their threat all the more worrisome. As fear of your next door neighbor spreads across the region, 2point6billion, takes a look at major terrorist organizations in their hotbed that is Asia.

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Non-violence a central tenant of the Tibetan faith is slowly losing ground to frustration that breeds antagonism. In an effort to douse the young flames of frustration spreading like wildfire across the globe, the aged Dalai Lama called a week long gathering of Tibetans in exile commencing on Monday. The meeting which is taking place in Dharamshala, North India, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile seeks to usher in a more radical approach to their long struggle against Chinese rule in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel peace laureate, who has been campaigning for Tibet’s “meaningful autonomy” from China, now fearing age and a prolonged stalemate situation is seeking advice in his people. Meanwhile, many in the exiled community feel that “meaningful autonomy” and its de facto recognition of Chinese sovereignty should be replaced by a more aggressive pro-independence position. China has dismissed this week’s meeting as meaningless, saying the participants do not represent the views of most Tibetans.

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The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, crowned its fifth King on Thursday. Oxford educated, 28 year old Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck became the worlds youngest King. Jigme was coronated by his father, as Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King at precisely 8:31 am local time, a time deemed auspicious by court astrologers.

Asia’s vast lands, boast varied governing systems ranging from absolute monarchies to democracies and dictatorships. However, the fairytale world of modern day monarchs who today wield little power in their lands will always carry an air of mysticism. Although they still command the respect and loyalty of their people they live in a world quite different from their subjects surrounded by large manicured palaces, golden chariots and the best silks money can buy.

However its not a bygone era, the Asian region still plays host to numerous monarchs - while Jigme was crowned the youngest King, neighboring Thailand celebrated their king as the longest reigning monarch in 2006. Another Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, only recently renounced its 239-year-old Shah dynasty replacing it with a republic. Additionally in 1975, Laotian King Savang Vatthana, abdicated his throne to communist Pathet Lao, backed by the Soviet Union and the North Vietnamese Army. Japan, Brunei, Malaysia and Cambodia still maintain monarchies.

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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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Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Mahmood, Vice Consul at the Consulate General of Pakistan Shanghai, sat down with 2point6billion.com, to discuss China-Pakistan relations - their impact on the rest of Asia and in a changing socio-political environment the road ahead. Mr Mahmood a student of ACCA, also holds two masters degrees in History and Economics. He studied Mandarin in Beijing since the past two years and has written several research papers some of which cover the historical understandings of Mahayana Buddhism, Evolutionary Changes in Chinese Society, the Secrets of Prophet hood etc.

2point6billion.com: How are the improved relations between Pakistan and China changing / impacting the Asian region?
Mahmood: Pakistan and China relations are all weather and this relation is based upon norms of international law and respect for sovereignty of the states. Pakistan is going to be the corridor of trade and energy from China to Central Asia. In the future the geo-strategic position of Pakistan will play a pivotal role in increased linkages and trade between different regions of 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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