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The arrest of the Central Board of Excise & Customs chairman has revealed the rot that has set in the premier revenue- collection authority. An inside story of his assets, and rise to position of power. Plus: The sex and smuggling controversy arising from his dubious links with Uzbek nationals.

The Silk Route
The Customs played an active role in a smuggling racket by Uzbek couriers that could have compromised the nation's security.

Rites Of Passage Despite stringent internal controls, the CBEC is one of the most sullied departments in the country.

The Earth Citizen
The former United States president returns to India to share the sorrows of quake-hit Gujarat.

In Quest Of Numbers
There's a scramble for winning combinations, from caste-based alliances in Tamil Nadu to political pragmatism in Bengal and Assam.

Green And Bear It
The Delhi Government's complacency leads to a bumpy ride for commuters.

Free At Last
Removal of quantitative restrictions on all imports will transform the Indian market like never before.

METROSCAPE

Rite Way

Rock Solid

Ad Libbing

Bubbly Girls

Part Of Art

Fresh Notes

Cyber Swami

Shake And Stir

Stackup

GOOD AN NEW: The restored stained glass(below);St James

On April 1, 13 years after St James' church committe approached the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), it celebrated the completion of conservation work that included the restoration of three giant stained glass windows, a new waterproof layer on the terrace and the insertion of stainless steel reinforcements in the church dome.

The cream and yellow St James in Delhi's walled city of Shahjahanabad houses the grave of Colonel James Skinner (1778-1841). Warrior for the Marathas and the East India Company, founder of the wilfully brave Skinner's Horse regiment, native prince Sikander Sahib, and husband of (reputedly) 14 wives, Skinner was a product of the school of incongruence, exemplified by Delhi's Scottish residents William Fraser and David Ochterlony.

Born of a Scottish mercenary and a Rajput princess, Skinner survived the Battle of Uniara in January 1800 when, shot in the groin and left for dead, he was rescued from the company of jackals by an "untouchable" woman. As thanksgiving, he sent the woman Rs 1,000 and pledged St James to the Lord. For INTACH conservation architect Ratish Nanda, the trust's biggest challenge was working on a "live" church. State convener O.P. Jain noted that the success of the 50-person team was partly due to "networking" resulting in invaluable inputs from British architect Sir Bernard Fielden, among others. Interestingly, intach's Rs 25 lakh budget included contributions from Queen Elizabeth II (£200) and retired members of Skinner' regiment (£1,200).

For historian R.V. Smith, St James allows one to "step into the 19th century". Set amidst quiet green lawns, this historically profound example of colonial architechture is also closer to helping worshippers lose themselves in prayer.

-Sonia Faleiro

BUBBLY GIRLS: When several of Mumbai's who's who get together at an exclusive-for-women do, what one gets to witness is female bonding and unabashed camaraderie. So it was at the launch of international champagne house Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin's "Cuvee Prestige" Champagne-La Grande Dame 1993 in India at The Rotisserie & Sea Grill, The Oberoi. The megalopolis' jet-setting women turned up in full force: Preeti Vyas Gianetti, Rita Dhody, Aarti Surendranath, Sangita Kathiwada (below, from right) and Zeenat Aman, Jaya Bachchan and Sheila Pasricha (above right). Not only for the bubbly or the elaborate French sit-down dinner though. More to say kudos to women strength.

-Natasha Israni

MetroScape

Rock Solid
Here's the big truth for those who doubted the band's durability: Deep Purple is still together--and after 33 years of full-detonation rocking.
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Looking Glass

Delhi Exhibition:
Ghislaine Aarsse Prins

Delhi Restaurant:
Art Diva Cafe

Mumbai Bar:
Starboard Bar