India Is Now A Space Power
Hurling the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle into orbit from Sriharikota marks the maturing of India's space faring capabilities. Besides saving on the costs of launching its own satellites, the country has entered the billion-dollar space launch market.

Moment Of Reckoning
The polls are likely to be milestones for the political parties. In Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi is poised to hand over the mantle of the DMK to his son Stalin. And in West Bengal, Mamata may find it takes more than aggression to win a mandate.

Breaking Trust
UTI's dealing in Ketan Parekh's favourite shares has been under a cloud and SEBI's report on the stock-rigging scandal reaffirms suspicions. Bogged down with chunks of worthless shares, UTI's credibility has taken a nose dive.

Cold-Blooded Gamble
Sudden, violent skirmishes along the India-Bangladesh border leaves many dead and raises worrisome questions about peace and security in the North-east as a "friendly" neighbour's problems spill over.

Blue Sari Mystery
A dead polo player, a beautiful woman, an unclaimed garment. The Rajasthan High Court orders the police to look into the case.

METROSCAPE

Footwork From The Desert

For those who went hoping to see the famed belly dancing, the performance by Egypt's Reda Dance Group, organised by the ICCR and Embassy of Egypt, at Delhi's Siri Fort auditorium last week, was an eye-opener. For one, for a 42-year-old group, all the 19 troupe members were "young, university graduates" from Egypt on a three-city Indian tour (also Bangalore and Mumbai). The short, sinuous, hip-shaking folk numbers from the Egyptian coast, countryside and deserts, ranged from the almost trance-like, sufi-inspired "whirling dervish", the foot-work driven "stick dance" and the "Candelabra", a festive number with girls in baggy pants and flares with burning chandeliers. Belly-dance hopefuls felt no need to make additional requests.

—Methil Renuka

REDO FOR ROMANCE: The scarf-sellers dance; the Candelabra (top right)

Drama At The Disco

Chaudhari and Chatterjee at Ghetto

Next time you go carousing in Mumbai, don't be surprised by some hi-voltage theatre at a discotheque or a pub. And complete with dances and dialogues. But there's a catch-viewing the theatrics of Melting Pot, an eclectic forum of professionals from fields like advertising, photography and filmmaking keen to "create a buzz at alternative venues", is restricted for members of the outfit "who have to be related to the media". Last week it was teen hangout Ghetto's graffiti-ridden walls ('What doesn't kill you makes you stronger') that bounced off theatric rantings from the English adaptation of French play La Musica. The plot saw a tormented couple (an iffy Manish Chaudhari and a brilliant Tannishtha Chatterjee) give into fancy verbal pyrotechnics just before a divorce. Did it work? Sure except for the long drawn out denouement.

—Natasha Israni

Writing Letters

Nine calligraphers drive home this point (without mincing words): letter-styling isn't esoteric and archaic, it's also fun and trendy. At the exhibition Aksharanubhuti at the Tao gallery in Mumbai (on till April 25) calligraphic works shared space with designer Shobhana Mehta's clothes while a 15-minute performance by calligrapher Ashutosh Apte (left) centered around alphabet-inscribed bricks. A good script.

MetroScape

Operation Opera
If he can pull it off, it might well be the highpoint in India's cultural and tourism calendar for 2002. After restoring heritage properties and turning them into highly successful resorts, Francis Wacziarg is now turning to producing a full scale opera in Delhi.
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Looking Glass

Calcutta Restaurant: The Hub

Delhi Film Club:
Habitat Film Club

Delhi Bar: Golf Bar

Mashobra Resort: Wildflower Hall