The Luckies
The Labelled, Urban, Chilled, Kicked-with-life Indians are here. The most fortunate ever if only for the choices before it, this generation is glib, global, cocky and informed-and chases success with an awesome spending power.

Wages Of Peace
The Centre's decision to extend its cease-fire with the NSCN(I-M)
to three other north-east states leads to large-scale violence
in Manipur.

Man Of Letters
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's skill with the quill has the PMO busy acknowledging his missives. And on occasion agreeing to his demands.

Civil Lines
Pervez Musharraf's assuming the office of President is being seen as a bid to legitimise his position. A look at what this means in the context of his India visit.

Peace In Pipeline
India wants to put on Iran the onus of ensuring safe transit of gas.

CAPLOOKS

Ceremonial Vices

Delhi: If the President and the prime minister can have it, why not the vice-president? Last month, the Union Health Ministry bought a swanky ambulance to follow the cavalcade of Vice-President Krishan Kant. The Directorate-General of Health Services bought the Tata 407 mini truck fitted with a Mercedes engine and equipped with state-of-the-art medical paraphernalia. The cost: Rs 47 lakh. All bureaucratic objections were overruled in the face of demands from the VP's office. Hardly surprising considering that this vice-president, unlike his predecessors, insists on chartered aircrafts for tours within the country.

An Axing To Grind

Chennai: The unceremonious dismissal of three ministers within a month of their taking office is keeping other members of the Jayalalitha Government on tenterhooks. No one knows whose head will be next on the chopping block. Ministers believe the only way they can be assured of their jobs is if Jayalalitha has a tiff with Governor Fathima Beevi. As it happened during her 1991-96 regime when she fell out with governor Chenna Reddy and did not go to him to effect any cabinet changes. Wishful thinking indeed.

Tripping Over A Trip

Delhi: Ever since her aides suggested that she could use her week-long visit to the US to raise investments for the 11 Congress-ruled states, party President Sonia Gandhi has been working hard to acquire a pro-reforms image. Accompanying her are Manmohan Singh, Natwar Singh and Jairam Ramesh, while a senior leader from Mumbai is already in the US to organise Sonia's engagements. One person terribly disappointed is Ambika Soni, who loves to flaunt her proximity to Sonia. She has been asked to stay back.

High Comedy

Thiruvananthapuram: As Kerala's chief minister, E.K. Nayanar hosted two of the most watched programmes on Malayalam satellite TV channels, including the hugely popular Ask the Chief Minister. So why is the CPI(M)-owned Kairali TV running Phone In With Nayanar now? Maybe it realises that, in office or outside, nobody presents a better comedy show than the ex-cm.

MetroScape

Delhi Decorative Art: D'addomio

Kolkata Restaurant: Thai Tonight

A Hare Krishna cult member's spiritual quest meets with a rude end. But he isn't the only one on trial. The credibility of the Orissa police is equally at stake, writes INDIA TODAY's Special Correspondent Ruben Banerjee in
Sleaze And Salvation