Burden Of Hope
Ajit Jogi takes over a state rich in surplus resources, but can expect teething troubles from expectant allies and disappointed rivals vying for the top post

Wasteland
Jyoti Basu leaves behind a state that is politically marginalised, economically denuded. His legacy: masterful non-performance.

Fifth Column
by Tavleen Singh
True Lies Forever

Right Angle
by Swapan Dasgupta
Intrigues at the Very Top

Royal Meltdown

Twin-Pronged Strategy

More...

Lest We Forget

Eyecatchers

Striptease Act

Haasan: No bowing out

Kamal Haasan is making news. This time, in his birthday suit. Publicity stills of his latest film Abhay (Aalavandhan in Tamil),which has him in a double role opposite Raveena Tandon, indicate he might just do a full monty. Defends director Suresh Krishna: "It will be part of his negative role. Audiences will accept it." What a nude and tonsured Haasan has done is drum up enough hype to last till the film's release next April. Time yet for a dressing down.

Voice of India
It's something to coo about. At an upcoming launch of the Houston chapter of a US-based techie group Sharon Prabhakar will croon to a super-select audience, which may include President Clinton. The show will be attended by about 200 White House delegates. "The idea," trills the been-around-sometime singer, "is to change the usual American perception of India. And also show off Indian talent." Prez, please take note.

Urban Flings
Fans like her any way, star-mom or leading lady. Dimple Kapadia is soon to play a divorcee with a child, pitted with three younger men in Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai. The auburn haired lady is "enjoying the focus on urban relationships in the film", which also stars Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna. "But there are no romantic relationships," insists the actor, now better known for her wax candles. "There is more to the film than just the older woman-younger man angle." Mum's the word till then.

Fortune Feel
They have more in common than the letter S. They are Indians and among the richest Americans. Jeet Singh, 37, worth $632 million, is No 23 on Fortune's list of "40 Richest Americans Under 40", as is Navdeep Sooch, No 35 with $532 million. Scientist-entrepreneurs Rajendra Singh and Pradeep Sindhu, worth "$1.4 billion and $ 2.5 billion respectively'', are among Forbes' "400 richest Americans". Says Sooch,whose four-year-old Silicon Labs firm in Austin makes modems, cellular phones and fax machines more efficient, "It is important the wealth that you create benefits the maximum number of people.'' Not just money-talk then.

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Gracious Gaggle
Goodness Gracious Me!..."takes the mickey out of Asians in the UK"
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Looking Glass

Mumbai: Restaurant

Delhi: Art Exhibition

Delhi: Restaurant

And More

How can Non-Performing Assets of companies be cleared? By recovering what you can, writes INDIA TODAY Associate Editor V. Shankar Aiyar in AuContrAiyar.

The Bangalore Development Authority becomes the first civic body in the country to issue a showcause notice to a sitting High Court judge for land violations. INDIA TODAY Principal Correspondent Stephen David reports on a determined demolition drive in Despatches.