India and China

Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world. Introduced by Pascale Harter.

In this edition:

'It's like you are born with a stamp on your forehead'

The social position of Indian Dalits - the lowest group in the caste system, formerly known as 'untouchables' - has often been wretched in years past. Outright discrimination on caste grounds was meant to have been outlawed by India's first independent constitution, many decades ago. But has prejudice against Dalits really died away? Travelling through some rural and urban areas, Natalia Antelava heard shocking accounts of humiliation, segregation and abuse.

Socket to me, baby!

It's the curse of the modern traveller - dependent on gadgets, but not at all sure there will be a good place to charge them up on arrival. Different nations still use a startlingly wide array of electrical voltages, outlets - even light bulbs. Peter Day, one of the BBC's business experts, says he's a grumpy traveller. He's usually slow to give his approval to a new business trend or product - but when he does, he's passionate about it. Recently he got back from Inner Mongolia all charged up with excitement about a new device on the market.

(Image: World plugs. Credit: Thinkstock)