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.

THE NATION: RSS

Sudarshan's Remarks embarrass Government

The comparison with predecessors is made by more than one RSS member: "The sarsanghchalak's word used to be the Gospel. It was never discussed-only adhered to. Sudarshanji's remarks are debated over, argued about, clarified." His post-Tehelka criticism-denied two hours after it was uttered-of the Prime Minister's Office upset the old guard. So did the convoluted explanations on the Babri Masjid demolition, which Sudarshan at one point claimed was caused by an explosion. It was a theory that convinced nobody and confused everybody, especially ideological purists. "Sarsanghchalaks," says a BJP functionary wryly, "are not supposed to attract so much attention."

For Vajpayee, Sudarshan spelt trouble on two grounds. Politically, he disturbed the ruling National Democratic Alliance's delicate balance. Personally, at 69, he is a decade junior to the prime minister. As old swayamsevaks, Vajpayee and Advani were "used to the sarsanghchalak being a patriarch, friend, philosopher and guide". That Sudarshan was at best a contemporary meant the equation was no longer clear cut.

A revamped institutional mechanism will, the RSS hopes, prevent a recurrence. The clipping of Sudarshan's wings also indicates that a collegiate system will now prevail in the RSS. The 15-member Kendriya Karyakari Mandal (Central Executive Council), which meets roughly every quarter, is the RSS' "government". In the mid-1990s, then general secretary H.V. Seshadri-who would have succeeded Rajju Bhaiyya had a heart problem not got in the way-conceived of a "core team of seven" that would meet every month and, in effect, run the RSS.

This "core group" includes Sudarshan, General Secretary Mohanrao Bhagwat, Joint General Secretaries Madandas Devi and Seshadri, and Pracharak Pramukh Sureshrao Ketkar. In the RSS scheme of things, the general secretary is the key man. He even conducts the annual Pratinidhi Sabha (General Council) meeting at which the sarsanghchalak is present. As such, Bhagwat, a veterinary doctor, is the RSS lynchpin.

For about a year now Devi, a chartered accountant, has been the "political interface" between Sangh and party. Since Bhagwat and Devi are both in their 50s, they are suitably deferential to the Vajpayee-Advani generation. As Sudarshan resumes charge in Nagpur, Devi, watched over by elder statesman Seshadri, will hold the fort in Jhandewalan, the RSS' home in Delhi. For the sarsanghchalak, it's back to the pavilion.

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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