Hands Namaste ( prayer-like gesture with the head slightly bowed ) is performed when a younger family member meets older relatives . Also , the person of lower status or prestige performs namaste first to show respect for the higher station the other person has achieved . Feet If someone touches another person with his feet by accident , he has to apologise and reinstate respect by tapping the other ’ s shoulder , and then his own forehead .
Hands In many cases , holding hands with people of the same gender is considered a display of friendship .
Feet When sitting cross-legged , the feet and shoes must not point towards anyone because the soles are considered unclean .
IRAN
Hands When sitting cross-legged , the feet and shoes must not point towards anyone because the soles are considered unclean .
Feet During an Iranian betrothal ceremony , women from the man ’ s side put new shoes before the bride-to-be . When she slides her feet into the shoes , she symbolically demonstrates that she has become the rightful life partner for her husband-to-be .
INDIA
NEPAL
Hands Nomadic Arab people passed down the most pertinent principle of dining culture to India and some parts of Southeast Asia , which is to use one ’ s right hand to eat , even if one is left-handed .
Feet Feet are the most unclean part of the human body . However , the feet of God and seniors are considered to be sacred .
During an Indian wedding , the bride ’ s parents will wash the newlyweds ’ feet with milk so as to purify them .
{ publisher ’ S NOTE }
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AG No . 95 Issue 2 / 2013
2013
ASIAN PUBLISHING AWARDS
25 . Best Cover Design
AG No . 95 Issue 2 / 2013
MPAS AWARDS
26 . Special Edition of the Year
AG No . 93 Issue 8 / 2012
27 . Best Single Article Design
AG No . 90 Issue 5 / 2012
28 . Best Front Cover ( Consumer )
AG No . 88 Issue 3 / 2012
29 . Best New Journalist of the Year Selina Tan ASIAN Geographic THE READ
ASIAN GEOGRAPHIC COLLECTOR ’ S EDITION 100 th Issue
AG No . 102 Issue 1 / 2014 AG No . 105 Special Edition / 2014
2014
ASIAN PUBLISHING AWARDS
30 . Best Editorial Brand Projection | Gold ASIAN Geographic Pte Ltd
31 . Best Photo
Documentary | Gold
AG No . 95 Issue 2 / 2013
32 . Best Feature on Asian Travel | Excellence
AG No . 97 Issue 4 / 2013
33 . Special Edition of the Year | Merit
AG No . 95 Issue 2 / 2013
MPAS AWARDS
34 . Publisher of the Year | Merit John Thet
35 . Editor of the Year Lunita S . V . Mendoza
36 . Designer of the Year Eng Chun Pang
37 . Special Edition of the Year | Merit
AG No . 95 Issue 2 / 2013
38 . Marketing Campaign of the
Year | Merit ASIAN GEOGRAPHIC HOT SOUP CHALLENGE 2013
39 . Feature Article of the Year ( Consumer ) | Merit
AG No . 95 Issue 2 / 2013
2015
MPAS AWARDS
40 . Publisher of the Year | Winner John Thet
41 . Media of the Year | Winner ASIAN Geographic
42 . Travel Media of the Year | Winner ASIAN Geographic PASSPORT
43 . Special Edition of the Year World Heritage Edition
AG Special Issue / 2014
44 . Designer of the Year Zoey Lim & Justin Ong
45 . Single Article Design of the Year First People In The Artic
AG ISSUE 1 / 2014
46 . Marketing Campaign of the
Year | Winner HOT SOUP CHALLENGE
2014
2016
SEPTEMBER 17 th Anniversary Issue
AG No . 120 Issue 5 / 2016 Languages of Asia
ASIAN Geographic specialises in bringing compelling stories , groundbreaking research features and exciting news updates about Asia to readers across the region . The largest and most populous continent , Asia boasts 4.4 billion inhabitants , accounting for 60 percent of the world ’ s population . The world ’ s two most populated countries , China and India , together constitute about 37 percent of the world ’ s people . It is unsurprising , therefore , that our coverage has demonstrated that there is a never-ending reserve of fascinating stories behind Asian culture , society , history and science .
When it comes to the spoken and written word , Asia is also blessed with an astonishing diversity of languages and dialects . We celebrate our 17th anniversary by honouring this linguistic diversity with the theme Languages of Asia . In this issue , we examine current languages , endangered dialects , and those that we have lost for good .
Further ahead , we are looking forward to presenting an exhilarating list of Expeditions in Asia , the unique Images of Asia photo competition , and exciting photography workshops lead by some of the world ’ s most prominent photographers . We will also launch a new webpage to showcase the best of Asia !
ASIAN Geographic published its very first issue in September 1999 . It owes a large part of its success to a talented and resourceful pool of writers , photographers , researchers , designers and editors . After nearly two decades on our journey together , I ’ d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported ASIAN Geographic and whose involvement has been so valuable .
JOHN THET Publisher / Editorial Director Founder , Asian Geographic Society
27
AG No . 90 Issue 5 / 2012
NEPAL
BANGLADESH
IRAN
SOUTH ASIA
BANGLADESH
INDIA
On the cover
Novice Burmese monks at a monk temple school by Manuel Libres Librodo Jr .
“ If you talk to a man in a language he understands , that goes to his head .
If you talk to him in his language , that goes to his heart .”