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.

METROSCAPE

LOOKING GLASS

DELHI AND MUMBAI
Adventure Sport

Bangalore was the first to get lucky. And, says Aseem Kapoor, National Geographic Channel's associate vice-president, marketing, "we are planning similar Adventure One activities in other cities because they reflect the personality of our channel". So, what's Adventure One? It's an adventure sports carnival. The 10,000 or so people who turned up at the 400-acre Palace Grounds in Bangalore last week got to choose from net crawling, hot air ballooning and stunt riding, among other activities. Now, it's the turn of Mumbai (March 10-12) and Delhi (March 23-25). Everyone's invited. For details call (022) 852-3880 or
(011) 631-9950.

MUMBAI
Lounge Bar

They claim to have clinched the "perfect formula for an evening out on the town". They're very nearly there. Smooth, a new lounge bar in south Mumbai, is a pleasant experience with its cheerful service, good music (live during private parties) and innovative cocktails like Sssnake in the Grass. The only problem: space is scarce. Go for the Madras Vodka with its very own de-seeded red chilli, and try the Chiang Mai Prawns (spicy Thai-style prawns in green curry sauce). Cocktails and snacks for two: Rs 650. Still want dinner? Hop one floor up to Gulmarg, a restaurant that's part of the same establishment. At Shalimar Hotel, August Kranti Marg. Telephone: (022) 363-1311 or e-mail theshalimarhotel@vsnl.com.

DELHI
Showroom

The Good Earth chain of lifestyle stores just opened its third branch in Delhi (the fifth in India) last week. The 1,600 sq ft showroom stocks crockery in bone China and stone, bed and table linen, hand-glazed ceramics, cushion covers, printed furnishing fabrics, candles and fragrances. A tea-set-for-two costs Rs 900, there are also hand-painted tea sets for Rs 2,800 each, and wine glasses made of Belgian glass for Rs 900-Rs 1,000 a pack. Located at M1, Hauz Khas, Aurobindo Marg. Telephone: (011) 685-1757.

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.