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SOUTH ASIAN EVENTS AND THE YEAR 2002

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MAJOR SOUTH ASIAN EVENTS

Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government sign a cease-fire agreement. But this turns out to be only a temporary lull in the fighting
India's worst Hindu-Muslim violence in a decade rocked the state of Gujarat after a Muslim mob fire-bombed a train, killing Hindu activists. Hindus retaliated, and more than 1,000 died in the bloodshed.

Communal riots in Gujarat
Kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl is murdered in Karachi, Pakistan. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and three others are charged.

Daniel Pearl just before being killed
In Islamabad, Pakistan, the International Protestant Church attack occurs.
In Karachi, Pakistan, a car bomb in front of the U.S. Consulate kills 12 Pakistanis and injures 50.
The government announces that it is laying land-mines along the entire length of its 2,800-km border with Pakistan.
Direct flights to China are set to resume for the first time in 40 years after diplomatic talks between the two countries.
Archaeologists announce the discovery of ancient man-made structures off the Gujarati coast which could be as many as 9,500 years old - 5,500 years older than the ancient Harappan civilisation whose remains are found around the same region.
The Cellular Operators Association announces that the ownership of mobile phones in India rocketed by 75% in the previous year. Almost 6 million Indians now own mobile phones.

Cell Phones in India
The New Delhi High Court overturns the October 2000 corruption conviction of former prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.

Ex-PM, P.V. Narasimha Rao
India signs a deal to buy a $146 million weapon-seeking radar system built by the U.S. company Raytheon. It is the first significant U.S. arms sale to India for a decade.
Pakistani voters approve a referendum granting a 5-year term for Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf.
Neha Dhupia is awarded the title "Miss India", in the Femina Miss India Pageant.

Neha Dhupia
The tabla player Zakir Hussain is awarded Padma Bhushan
Hindustani vocalist Gangubai Hangal and Tabla Player Kishen Maharaj are awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour