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.

COVER STORY: ADOPTION

TEARFUL REUNIONS: HOW VIGILANT OFFICIALS RESTORED THEM TO PARENTS

KRISHNA, 5.
A missing report was lodged by her parents at Delhi's Uttam Nagar police station on November 19, 1999. She was found the next day and handed over to the Nangloi police. An adoption agency received her the same week, but applied for an abandonment certificate only on January 17, 2000. Her parents were traced by Social Welfare Department officials on July 28, 2000.

KUSUM, 7.
She was reported missing by her parents at the Desh Bandhu Gupta Road police station in Delhi on December 3, 1999. The Kalkaji police found the girl the next day and handed her over to an agency in the capital the next day, which in turn applied for an abandonment certificate in early 2000. Kusum's parents were traced within a month by the officials.

NEETU, 7.
Her relatives reported her missing at west Delhi's Kapashera police station on June 11, 2000. Neetu was found and handed over to the New Ashok Nagar police a week later and subsequently given away to an adoption agency, which applied for abandonment certificate on September 19, 2000. An inquiry was ordered: the child was restored to parents on March 14, 2001.

SUNITA, 6.
Missing from Saraswati Vihar on April 27, 2000. She was found and handed over to the Sunlight Colony police on May 1, 2000 and immediately sent to an adoption agency that applied for an abandonment certificate on June 28, 2000. The Juvenile Welfare Board ordered an inquiry. Sunita was reunited with her parents on July 20, 2000.

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.
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