Good Economics,
Risky Politics
Defying the pressures of politics, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has come forth with a bold, hard budget. He has committed the Government to a slew of daring economic reforms through this year's budget. But, beyond the initial euphoria generated by sheer promises, lies a rough road to fulfilling them. Will the pressures of coalition politics and an irrational Opposition allow him to deliver?

Interview:
Yashwant Sinha
"It is my budget,
not the PMO's."

Smeltdown
The NDA Government handsomely wins a vote moved by the Opposition in the Lok Sabha against the privatisation of Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), but it should now start worrying about the poor response to bidding for strategic partnership of public-sector units.

Progress Report
With an overwhelming response from readers, the CARE TODAY society had funds flowing in from all quarters to aid it in its efforts to help those rendered homeless and jobless by the devastating earthquake of January 26.

Reeling Estate
Gujarat is witnessing a strange phenomenon with the two hands of the Sangh Parivar, the RSS and the VHP, earning public goodwill and the BJP leadership finding itself in the hot seat over links with the building mafia.

Bust to Dust
International outrage doesn't deter the Taliban militia from pushing ahead with its plan to destroy historical statues, including the 2,000-year-old Buddha statues in Bamiyan.

Piecing the
Ahar Puzzle Excavations of sites from the 4,500-year-old Ahar culture provide clues to the link between the Harappans and their predecessors.

NEWSNOTES

Voices

"They started it and as long as they were doing it, it was all fine. But the moment we do it, it all goes wrong."
Yashwant Sinha, finance minister, about the Congress' stand on privatisation, in an interview after presenting the Union budget

"A naughty boy is always preferred as class monitor. Earlier Laloo used to create anarchy in the House, now he has to maintain peace."
Sushil Mody, Bihar Opposition leader, after RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav was made presiding officer of the state Assembly

"Well, I have bent as much as possible. If I bend any more, there is every chance of my breaking the hip bone."
J. Jayalalitha, AIADMK Supremo, responding to suggestions that her party should bend a little to accommodate alliance partners

"It is sad that while they didn't attend Jyoti Basu's last session, they took away food packets which were bought to celebrate the occasion."
Robin Deb, CPI(M) MLA, on the Congress boycott of the West Bengal Assembly on Basu's last day as MLA

VIS-A-VIS

"Mamata considers the Railway Ministry as a stepping stone to a particular chair in Kolkata."
Somnath Chatterjee, CPI(M) Parliamentary Party leader

"I have not showered any favours on West Bengal. In a difficult year, I have tried to be fair to all states."
Mamata Banerjee, Union Railway Minister

MetroScape
Personality Matters Those behind the Grasim Mr India contest think it is one up over other male pageants.
But is it?
more...

Looking Glass

Mumbai: Swarovski Boutique

Delhi: Colours 'n' Spice

Delhi: Mindscapes

The Keoladeo National Park Sanctuary in Bharatpur gets an unprecedented number of migratory birds due to the dry spell last year. But experts feel another drought could be disastrous, writes INDIA TODAY's Supriya Bezbaruah in
Despatches.

"The only obvious competition is in bhangra," say the Pakistani duo of the music group, Strings, in conversation with INDIA TODAY's Sonia Faleiro in
Interviews.