Vandals Of History Afghanistan's Taliban regime remains undeterred from its hard-line agenda of destroying historically valuable Buddhist idols. A look at the present regime and its slide to orthodox fundamentalism at a time when a drought has ravaged its economy and people.

Taking On the Family
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Yadav is once again facing a tough fight for survival--this time prompted by a near revolt in the RJD fuelled by rumours of a dynastic takeover. Ranjan Yadav has emerged as a potential rival to Rabri Devi, enjoying the support of both the party rebels and the NDA allies.

Chennai Confusion
The upshot of the great Tamil circus: Jayalalitha needs Moopanar, but not the Congress.

Creepy Acquisition
With Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha determined to bring corporate payslips comprehensively into the taxman's dragnet, the salaried class is having a few palpitations. For them, it means that a long era of tax-free emoluments is coming to an end.

"Indians lack unity"
Two of cricket's finest brains met for a rare conversation:Bishen Singh Bedi takes on the role of interviewer for Aaj Tak, seeking to get into the mind of Australian captain Stephen Waugh.

Revenge Of the Bears The sudden fall in share-prices points to yet another rigging controversy, and raises questions about the efficacy and credibility of SEBI as a regulator.

BUSINESS: STOCKMARKETS

INTERVIEW: D.R. MEHTA

"None will be spared"

SEBI Chairman D.R. Mehta spoke to Associate Editor V. Shankar Aiyar on the crisis in the stock markets:

Q. It appears SEBI is not totally in control of the situation.
A. SEBI is normally not bothered by price and index movements. Only when there is an unnatural occurrence do we look at it. We got prima facie information on manipulation on March 2 and launched investigations the same day.

Q. There is an impression that you are going easy on BSE and its president Anand Rathi.
A. Let me tell you that this information from an unidentified source came to me first. I initiated the action. Even though it was a holiday we acted and investigations are on.

Q. Aren't such allegations and the suspicion of manipulation enough reason to suspend the BSE Board?
A. Action will depend on the probe findings. We must have irrefutable evidence and solid grounds for action. Believe me, nobody will be spared.

Q. It is said that your accessability to certain people is deterring your officers from taking action.
A. This is not correct. People who meet me do so in their official capacity. The other category is of those facing an enquiry. In the past six years I must have met about 10 industrialists. There is no question of me or SEBI being influenced.

Q. Every time there is a crisis, you set up a committee.
A. This criticism would be valid if SEBI had delayed action on any of the reports. It is totally uncalled for.

MetroScape
Triple Act
What I would love to do more than anything else in the world is to write another play," says Gurcharan Das. "But I don't know if I have the courage." He should have dollops of it, going by the audience reaction to his 9 Jakhoo Hill--performed to mark the release of Three English Plays by Das --at Delhi's India Habitat Centre
last week.
more...

Looking Glass

Delhi and Mumbai: Adventure One Sport

Mumbai: Smooth Bar

Delhi: Good Earth Showroom

Polo, like many other events, is bringing about the resurgence of the almost forgotten royals. A chance, writes INDIA TODAY's Principal Correspondent Anshul Avijit, to say Maharaja again with an unctuous post-modernist gusto 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.