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.

NEWSNOTES

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P.K. DHUMAL is confident of overcoming rebellion in the state BJP.

Q. Why was there a revolt?
A. The dissidents are getting overambitious.
I conceded all their demands in November
and now they want more.

Q. But didn't you invite the crisis by sacking ministers?
A. What option did I have? They remained in my Cabinet, enjoyed all perks and yet kept working against
my Government.

Q. Is the crisis an indication of your loosening grip over the party?
A. No, I have the support of 29 MLAs. They number only six.

Q. Why didn't you accept the patch-up formula of former chief minister Shanta Kumar?
A. He suggested that I withdraw the sack order. I refused. Let the dissidents first withdraw their letter against me.

Q. Is your Government on shaky ground?
A. I don't think so. I have the majority and I am prepared for a trial of strength.

Q. Your own ministers say the Government is corrupt.
A. They are frustrated. With the kind of MLAs the BJP has, we don't need an Opposition.

Q. Has the crisis dented the Government's image?
A. Of course it has. But I am not going to submit to blackmail.

-Ramesh Vinayak

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.