Royal Challenge
Dissident leader Jitendra Prasada seems to be weighing all options before throwing his hat in the ring for the party president's post.

Damning Verdict
The high profile people's agitation suffers a body blow as the Supreme Court clears the controversial dam

Fifth Column
by Tavleen Singh
The Road Not Taken

Kautilya
by Jairam Ramesh
A New Round Of Controversy

Friend in Deed

Signal Service

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DEVELOPMENT: NARMADA DAM

Battle of the Heights
Why the height of the dam matters

138.6 m---Irrigation: 18 lakh hectares will be irrigated
Power and Drinking Water: Since both power plants will be operational, the output will be 1,450 MW. Also, 135 towns and 8,000 villages will get drinking water.
Displacement: 40,827 families will be affected.

110 m---Irrigation: 50,000 hectares is expected to be irrigated, 2.8 per cent of the target capacity.
Power and Drinking Water: With one of the proposed power plants working, the expected output is 250 MW. No drinking water will be generated.

Sanctioned height 90 m---Irrigation: Virtually no irrigation because water will not enter the main canal.
Power and Drinking Water: Similarly, no power or drinking water will be generated.
Displacement: At this height, the water will displace 7,038 families.

Sardar Sarovar Project: Back on Track

WHAT THE NBA PETITIONED
Calling the project an environmental disaster, it pointed out that the project would uproot nearly half a million people and would eventually not benefit those who are being projected as beneficiaries.

WHAT GUJARAT ARGUED
The project would be a lifeline to nearly 1.75 crore people in the severely drought-prone areas of Saurashtra, Kutch and north Gujarat. Pointed out that the project was a key to future development in the state.

MADHYA PRADESH'S STAND
Unfair because even though the project doesn't really benefit the state, most of the rehabilitation falls on its shoulders. They have no land to offer to the oustees.

SUPREME COURTS VERDICT
Allows construction of the dam to a height of 90 m. Says it sees no evidence of adverse environmental impact and also says the rehabilitation exercise seems to be working. Links futher extension of height to regular reviews on environmental impact and relief and rehabilitation packages

Eye On Fashion
It was like fashion week again with a string of shows in Delhi and Mumbai.
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Looking Glass

Mumbai: Store

Bangalore: Cyber Cafe

Bangalore: Education

Chennai: Exhibition

Delhi: Conference

CII’s conference on Friday on corporate governance is called Independent Directors: Why, How and Who. Why Not, How Not and Who Not, would have been better, says INDIA TODAY Associate Editor, V Shankar Aiyar
Au ContrAiyar.

While the focus of the rest of the world is shifting from relief work to long-term preparedness, disaster management in India is still a good intention. Why? Some answers by INDIA TODAY Principal Correspondent Subhadra Menon in Despatches.