The Supercrat
Brajesh Mishra, Vajpayee's principal secretary, has emerged as a strong power centre. But his critics say he has bitten off more than he can chew and has become the target of a proxy war against the prime minister.

Going Beyond Square One
India and Pakistan make subtle shifts in their positions on Kashmir, raising hopes of a renewed dialogue and restoration of peace. Much will depend on what happens during Ramzan.

Fifth Column
by Tavleen Singh
Multinational Myths

Prime Movers

Action Manifested

From The Editor In Chief

In India, public fervour for cricket comes second only to religion. That's why there is nothing more devastating than a fallen cricket icon. Sports inspires us all because it is about clean victories that come from talent and guts. But when a hero sullies this arena, he shatters our faith. And that is what former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin has done. Last week's announcement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banning him for life came as a fitting culmination to the match-fixing scam that the cricketing world has been entangled in since 1997. The lifetime ban-a first-ever for Indian cricket-is a sad epitaph for Azharuddin, known in cricketing circles as the "comeback man" for his uncanny ability to bounce back after every slump.

Azharuddin's story, from shining light to tainted darkness, is like a Greek tragedy. A shy, back-alley boy from Hyderabad with loads of talent is catapulted to fame. His life changes gears and he moves into high society, developing a penchant for designer clothes and fast cars. But somewhere along the way, he puts aside talent and succumbs to ambition. Greed becomes his fatal flaw. Today, with his genius handcuffed forever, he cuts a solitary fallen figure-a sad example of a man who got completely corrupted by the system.

To analyse the fall of this much-maligned cricketer, we got Associate Editor Sharda Ugra, who has met Azharuddin many times since the beginning of his career, to psycho-profile him. Besides, Principal Correspondent Sayantan Chakravarty in Delhi dug into details of his misdeeds and Special Correspondent Sheela Raval in Mumbai investigated his underworld connections. Says Ugra, who anchored this week's cover story: "The change in him was radical. Money, fame and power turned him into another person." One more Indian hero bites the dust.

(Aroon Purie)

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