Who Will Be Good for India?
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After Basu, Work
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Fifth Column
by Tavleen Singh
Demolishing Dreams

Abroad Hints

Smiling Still

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Lest We Forget

LOOKING GLASS

CALCUTTA
Confectionery
Three-years after it downed its shutters (because the staff staged a walkout) Kookie Jar, one of the most popular confectioners in the city, has finally reopened. In the interim, owner Lovey Burman moved to an adjoining workshop and kept up home deliveries and party orders. Now Burman's old staff is back with her and so are most of her customers, who came in large numbers on opening day last week. Changes include a revamped outlet, new items on the menu and upped prices. The chocolate cake is still sinfully good. Call (033) 473-2961/4290.

CHENNAI
Cosmetics Store

Japan-based Relent Cosmetics, which manufactures its products only at Soka City, Japan, "to maintain quality", has opened an outlet at Spencers, its first in India. But although the prices are steep (a cleansing cream costs as much as Rs 1,840), MD Christine Mastich feels that the Chennai's super-niche market is more than ready. For more information call (044) 98400-36151.

DELHI
Restaurant
Greater Kailash-I market has got another eatery on its evergrowing list-We2, a 75-seater pub-cum-restaurant where deejays favour Sting and Eagles and the floor is packed with eager jitterbugs. "We plan to screen popular blockbusters soon on a 35 mm format," says owner Ramesh Kakkar. Happy hours (from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m) offer a twin bargain: both drinks and food at half the price. Regular hours meal for two including drinks: Rs 1,000. Call (011) 641-7779.

MUMBAI
Sports Facilities
Want to work out at a 5-star hotel or play cricket at an exclusive club without shelling out exorbitant sums? Sportsnet Limited, a sports company, has started Googlix Sports City, a kind of time-sharing concept that allows the use of facilities in hotels like The Leela, Juhu Centaur and Sun 'n' Sand on different days. Membership is available in silver, gold and platinum categories and costs between Rs 4,500 and 35,000 annually. Call (022) 492-9551.

CHENNAI
Flights
Quick breaks to paradise have become a little easier. Air Mauritius has launched a direct flight from Chennai every Tuesday to Port Louis. So no more painful trips to Mumbai or Delhi to catch connecting flights. Rates vary according to season-till January an economy class ticket costs Rs 24,800; in February it will drop to Rs 16,500. Call (044) 851-5641.

Compiled by Arun Ram, Labonita Ghosh, Leher Kala, Himanshi Dhawan and Kavitha Muralidharan

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MetroScape
Retro Scape
The Delhi-based gallery Nature Morte is engaged in bringing curatorial honour to old Indian works with "Shah, Souza and Sundaram"...
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Looking Glass

Chennai: Cosmetic Store

Delhi: Restaurant

Calcutta: Confectionery

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