India, July 28 -- Lived reality always finds a way to catch up with political rhetoric. In February 2021, Myanmar's youth protested a military coup that eventually became a grinding civil war. In March 2022, former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa felt the force of gravity when power cuts and fuel shortages triggered mass protests.

In May 2023, the Pakistani army faced its most severe test when mounting economic discontent and the jailing of former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan led to anti-establishment protests. In July 2024, former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina faced reality in the form of a student-led uprising. In September 2025, Nepal's Gen-Z decided to put an end to the excruciating decade- long saga of prime ministerial musi...