New Delhi, April 2 -- South Asia has had three youth-led revolts and three changes of government-and still has three countries with problems that haven't changed a bit. In February, Bangladesh's electorate gave Tarique Rahman, exiled in London for 17 years, a sweeping mandate; and in early March, Nepalis voted overwhelmingly for Balen Shah, previously a rapper and mayor of Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, the former Marxist-Leninist Anura Dissanayake is just 18 months into his tenure and is already facing multiple crises, including a crippling shortage of fuel that has force his government to institute a four-day work week.

All took power after mass protests forced out their predecessors, promising a clean break from the old elite's ...