Children For Sale
For as little as Rs 3,000, impoverished parents sell their children to adoption centres and unscrupulous operators in Andhra Pradesh, who in turn earn up to Rs 3 lakh from foster families. A look at the people involved, the law and where the process went wrong.

Amma Turns Red
J. Jayalalitha's hopes for contesting the elections have been dashed with the rejection of her nomination papers. But this does not deter her from stepping up her campaigning efforts for the AIADMK and assuming an aggressive stance.

Past Tense
The muted reaction of the Government to the massacre of the BSF troops raises many questions. A look at the past skirmishes between the BSF and BDR gives an insight into what led to the heightening of tension at the border.

Coming To Life
With the end of state monopoly, private insurance companies are offering wider risk coverage and better customer relations.

Starting Over
It's been three months since nature shook Gujarat, killing over 30,000 and shattering dreams. Despite government promises and generosity of individuals, rehabilitation is still to touch the lives of many. The story in pictures.

NEWSNOTES

R. TAMARAIKKANI, AIADMK rebel, feels Jayalalitha is fuelling a family feud by pitting his son against him in Srivilliputhur.

Q. You were elected five times from Srivilliputhur. How confident are you now?
A. Very confident. The people here know me well. I don't go to them just for votes. I meet them every day and help them solve problems. They trust me.

Q. But this time the AIADMK has pitted Inbathamizhan, your son, against you.
A. To me, my family is less important than the people. I came into politics because of MGR. My son was brought into politics by Jayalalitha. And here people only vote for MGR's candidate.

Q. What went wrong between you and Jayalalitha?
A. I have been in the party since MGR's days. I accepted Jayalalitha's leadership too and have been involved in many criminal cases for the party and the leadership.

Q. AIADMK cadres say your son is going to give you a tough fight, that he may even defeat you.
A. Frankly, my son's reputation is not good. He was debt-ridden and cleared his dues only with the money that Jayalalitha gave him. He has always been disobedient. Like Jayalalitha, he is fond of pomp and grandeur. All he wants is to adorn his wife with gold.

—Kavitha Muralidharan

MetroScape

Focusing On Art
The brief for participants at
"Exhibit 'A' 2001" organised by the
200-member
Photographers'
Guild of India at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai, was clear—no advertisement and portfolio photos. more...

Looking Glass

Delhi Poster:
One Page Classics

Calcutta Pub:
London Pub

Bangalore & Mumbai Rock Concert:
Bryan Adams

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya reflected optimism about winning the state election when he spoke to INDIA TODAY Senior Editor Sumit Mitra at the CPI(M) headquarters in Kolkata, minutes before rushing off for campaigning.
Excerpts: