Bribe Gloom
The former PM's conviction snuffs out his plans to play a larger role in Congress affairs. But though the dissidents have lost a rallying point, they will go ahead with their anti-Sonia campaign.

Big Buys
As India and Russia ink the biggest defence agreement since Independence, the Armed Forces hope to close the gaping holes in preparedness

Fifth Column
by Tavleen Singh
Poverty Of Ideas

Kautilya
by Jairam Ramesh
Rao Doesn't Deserve This

Right Angle
by Swapan Dasgupta
It Takes Two To Coalition

Generation Gaffes

Existential Crisis

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CASE STUDIES

RAM JETHMALANI
Lawer-politician

At 77, he still plays an hour of badminton every day, thanks to a knee replacement surgery in Detroit in 1994. "Badminton was always my reason for living," says the doughty old lawyer who was forced to undergo an operation because he continued playing even after a joint erosion in his left knee. But why Detroit? Because that's where his physician-daughter lives ("I get concessions on my bills and am treated like a VIP because of her"). The surgery was performed by Dr Turner-he can't remember the full name-and cost $10,000. Within four days, he was out on crutches and within six months, back on the court.

"I feel completely new. Free from pain and free to move."

HRISHIKESH MUKHERJEE
Film Director

A gout patient, the 79-year-old film director and winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, has had both his knees replaced-and both by Dr Chitranjan Ranawat in Pune. He is thankful to DR NANDU LAD Who initially recommended the surgery. It's been 12 years since and Mukherjee has come a long way from those days when he could not walk even to an adjoining room. There is pain in his ankles and heels because of persisting gout, but his knees just don't trouble him any more.

"The doctors gave me a new lease of life."

NIHAL GARWARE
Industrialist

For the 33-year-old scion of the Garware Group, a car crash in 1991 made life hell for a decade. His left leg gashed, he hopped from one specialist to another but to no avail. After being treated for TB and having had his left hip replaced, relief finally came this August when Mumbai's Dr D. Soonawalla replaced his left knee at Breach Candy. Today, six weeks later, Garware walks without support, putting in a whole day at the office.

"I can now play cathing the cook with my one-and-a-half year old daughter."

M. KHANCHANDANI
Businessman

The 63-year-old CEO of New Millennium Computers in Delhi considers himself a "new man". A year ago, he was immobilised by the shooting pains of osteoarthritis. Today, he has just returned from a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi after much walking, climbing and riding ponies. For five years after the initial diagnosis, he tried everything from ayurveda to homeopathy and finally went in for a knee replacement. It's a decision he hasn't regretted.

"Anything I like to do, I do. I feel absolutely no pain, no discomfort."

Food Mood
There was plenty of food at the first anniversary bash of Crossroads mall and the shop-within-the-mall Good Food Gallerie in Mumbai last week.
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Looking Glass

Chennai: Exhibition

Bangalore: Electronics Store

Delhi: Gift Store

Delhi: Hotel

Calcutta: Sale

By putting off rolling settlement, SEBI has given punters on Dalal Street a Diwali gift, says INDIA TODAY Associate Editor V. Shankar Aiyar in Au Contraiyar.

The fate of the Kannur project in power-strapped Kerala is in a state of limbo as the Government contends it is too expensive. But is it? INDIA TODAY Principal Correspondent M.G. Radhakrishnan investigates in Despatches.