Anything To Declare, Mr Verma?
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

Shake And Stir

Southern starlet Jyothika, who perhaps knows as much about hip-oscillating as any other shaker in the business, seemed perfectly apt for the part, even with a limited rehearsal. Her role: redoing some of the dance-song sequences of 1990s, a part of down-memory-lane and back-to-the-future cine package called Netru Indru Nalai (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow) at the Airlines stadium in Chennai. The great Ilayaraja songs dominated the 1980s section compered by Khushboo. But the effervescent actress, also an adroit (and ever-ready) hip-mover looked inconsolably forlorn ... and with good reason-a torn ligament in her leg was preventing her from doing some good onstage work. Some of the rest: A.R. Rahman looked pleased as a recorded version of his echoing Vande Mataram filled the air; Rajnikanth's daughter Aishwarya slow danced and the surprise element, Bollywood's Aamir Khan, queried "Aati Kya Khandala?" to Revathi.

STAGE MIGHT: Aamir Khan with Revathi	HIP AND HAPPENING: Jyothika

-Arun Ram

Stackup

Kolkata's after-eight hotspots

Big Ben (The Kenilworth): Very English. From the Shepherd's Pie on the menu to the miniature clock towers on the walls to the scenes-from-the-countryside statuettes. The pub also prides itself on a multi-cuisine menu, a wide variety of liqueurs and prime scotches fit for a king. Or queen.

The Chowringhee (The Oberoi Grand): Always stirs up nostalgia. Antique walking sticks, box cameras and watch chains under glass table tops, mementoes from the past on the walls. It's a favourite with the slightly older corporate crowd which prefers its selection of wines, single malts and cigars. Another reason to visit: Singer Don Saigal's daughter Sonia who's headlining this week.

Junction (Taj Bengal): Modelled like a railway waiting room: mock locomotives, the Nizam's stately carriages, trains from the Raj. The regular festivals at the bar ensure that the decor is never the same. The best thing: barman Francis Lama's prizewinning cocktails: the "flambed" Thunder Down Under and the light, after-dinner Moonlight Sonata. A nice quiet place to unwind.

Someplace Else (The Park): The city's first pub that used to double up as a disco. Dancing's out now but the decibels haven't subsided. It's turned into a venue for the city's best-known rock, blues and Latin jazz performers. Music is the USP. Only place that remains open in the afternoon.

-Labonita Ghosh

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