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.

METROSCAPE

Focusing On Art

GILT EDGE: Studio photograph by Vinay Mahidar	STARK: Detail of image by Vishal Kohli

Present works of art emerging from your personal creative centre." 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. Not all the 58 participants adhered to that rule, but there were plenty of pictures in the capital 'A' for art category at the exhibition in Nehru Centre Gallery, Mumbai. Big names like Sumeet Chopra and Daboo Ratnani apart, it was experimental work like Vishal Kohli's "abstract" images and Vinay Mahidar's studio effort at reducing the gap between high and low art that drew attention. And Vikram Bawa's 3-D ones, which needed special glasses to view. No error in trial it seems.

—Natasha Israni

PLAY OF PASSION: Those expecting flouncy gowns and Elizabethan attitudes were surprised. Adaptations of The Merchant of Venice and Hamlet by stage outfit Phoenix Players at Prithvi Theatre last weekend went a little beyond 16th century London with splashes of sufi mysticism, courtesans in zardozi, Kathakali-style painted faces and shadow lighting. Director-actor Salim Ghouse (passionately planning a doctorate on Shakespeare) as Hamlet replayed the saga of the "intellectual outsider" through meditation, exploring the sociopolitical rot in the times of tehelka.com. The Merchant of Venice (right) had Antonio, Bassanio and Portia (in psychedelic wear) as page three regulars who "have so much yet want more" and Shylock as "honest in his vices". Next is Macbeth ... and be sure he won't be dressed like a Scot.

—Himanshi Dhawan

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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