We have deliberately begun our election coverage early, to give readers a comprehensive picture of each major party. It is an insight we hope will prove valuable. This week we begin with the BJP. In an in-depth 17-page package, we profile the party leadership, examine their strategy, point out the roadblocks in their path and trace their evolution. Yet, as Special Correspondent Saba Naqvi Bhaumik, who has followed the BJP's progress assiduously, says, "Eventually it still comes down to Prime Minister Vajpayee's charisma."

What effect Kargil will have on this election is to be seen, yet it certainly has had an effect on india today. I have always believed that the journalist's job is to investigate issues that confront society, to report the failures of institutions when they occur. But he is not supposed to fix the problem, that responsibility lies with other institutions. In a nation where every morning brings another heart-wrenching story it is impractical for the journalist to get involved with the execution of solutions. I began to question this when we received an amazing response from readers, often in the form of monetary assistance, to our recent stories on farmers' suicides and on forgotten athletes. We either sent the cheques back or passed them along but resisted direct involvement. The reaction to our Kargil coverage made us feel it was time to extend our role. The result is Care Today, a charitable foundation that we registered this week.

We have begun by opening a 'Lest We Forget' fund for jawans severely wounded in Kargil and have initially contributed Rs 10 lakh to the fund. We have first selected 10 jawans who would require a major rehabilitation programme over an extended period of time. And we intend to track and report their progress. Gradually we hope to go further than Kargil and assist other such victims. Helping the Kargil wounded is a small step. But every step counts.

(Aroon Purie)