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

Play of Passion

Model Achievers

Play To The Toon

Musicpality

Sufi's Choice

CLEAN-UP ACT: Last week, Mumbaikars from Machi Mar Nagar and Dharavi to Worli and Bandra were forced to stop and mull over some pertinent posers thrown by the satirical street drama, Whose Mumbai Is It Anyway? Like bribing traffic police, spitting in public spaces, buying artificial plants, manufacturing stories to sell papers, using polythene bags. Performed by Shanta Chatterjee's Clean Air Island, the 30-minute skit has done over 70 performances not only in Mumbai but also in Delhi, Pune and other cities. The salty humour and Hinglish colloquialisms struck a chord at the befitting finale on Earth Day, April 22 at a seaside park in Dadar. Said onlooker Ramesh Yadav, 46, an electrician: "We can all relate to the scenes and issues, and are more conscious about cleanliness. Problem is people tend to forget quickly and to move on." Hit the nail.

—Natasha Israni

The Other Self

LOOKING WITHIN: A Scene from Bhanwar

The theme was uncommon. And though the treatment needs polishing up, Bhanwar-a Hindi play about transsexuality, based on a Marathi short story by Asha Kardaley-made a point all the same. It's the story of Sudhakar struggling with his female other self; about the trauma of being a melting pot of genders. "The story," says director Smita Bharti, "is tightly controlled. It says so much without fully expressing it." Unfortunately, the play left too much unsaid: like the reason for the sudden change in attitude of Sudhakar's female colleague towards him. And at almost 10 minutes, the dance of the two selves at the start was a drag. Sometimes, less is more. With a play on a sensitive theme, it always is.

—Anna M.M. Vetticad

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: