South Asian society...

South Asian countries which include Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal are unique in many aspects. Though still developing nations, they are abundant in natural resources. The subcontinent region has been claimed to have the likelihood of oil reserves. These countries are also sprinkled with cave mines which contain valuable minerals. By the western world, they are viewed as the ‘other’ region, and yet their geographical location allows them to administer several trade routes connecting different regions of the world. Pakistan particularly is said to have position on the globe that can serve as a route linking the east to the west. South Asian countries are over populated, but the populace of this region is rich in its diversity. These countries have a rich heritage and a rich cultural diversity with several different ethnicities and languages. Pakistan alone has four provincial languages along with a national and an official language; each province has also has its own culture and set of traditions. For all their strengths, the population of these nations is not united. Their multi-ethnic and multi-lingual state which should be a cause of pride and a means of strengthening their internal ties is actually the source of their differences and feuds. Instead of working united for the benefit of their state, the minorities have been fighting for separation, such as Tamil tigers in Sri Lanka, Sikhs in India and the Pakhtuns in Pakistan. The divided people coupled with ineffective corrupt government’s forms the major reason of the under-development of this region. The governments that these poor countries have are usually ill suited to the task of running a country, and are also dishonest and disloyal towards their nation. Instead of tapping the resources of the country and develop it to its potential, these politicians and leaders busy themselves in filling their own pocket and turning a blind eye and a deaf ear towards the people and the problems of the country. The corrupt government is the reason for corruption being present in most institutes of these countries and as well as it seems a characteristic present in a great portion of the local people. South Asian countries have their irreplaceable place in the history and the geography of the world. This region has a great potential to improve, if only it is properly worked for.