The Lost Nation
General Musharraf is on the offensive, wielding unlimited powers and taking on the establishment in a bid to whip a battered nation back into shape. But will he succeed? Plus an exclusive interview with the Pakistan President.

Travels In
Veiled Reality
From an optimistic country to one draped in despondency, it's a journey through a nation transformed.

Candle In Wagah Wind Track II diplomacy, the citizen-led campaign for Indo-Pak peace, has bloated into a virtual industry.

Comeback Drive
After two years in reverse gear and scarred by a dented marketshare, India's largest car maker shifts into top gear. With bold new launches and fresh strategies, it strides back into reckoning to regain part of the lost market.

Steering Under Test Even as Indian rally drivers rev up for overseas competition, motorsport within the country takes a beating. A sport that holds enormous revenue potential for the country is stalled by petty politicking as two rival organisations fight for the right to be called the official governing body.

Spray Of Misery
Crippled bodies and minds is a way of life for many in the villages of north Kerala.

NEWSNOTES

Last year, Pawan Kumar Chamling returned to power for a second term. Now his opponents seem to be regrouping.

Q: Your predecessor Nar Bahadur Bhandari recently said he would join the Congress. What impact would this have on the Sikkim Democratic Front and your government?
A. Nothing at all. Let Bhandari go wherever he wants.

Q: Won't his stance strengthen the opposition?
A. I don't think so. Bhandari has three CBI cases against him. If he goes to the Congress, he will not be an asset but a liability.

Q: Bhandari reportedly said he used to take a 20 per cent cut in projects passed in Sikkim. The implication was that you take more.
A. (Bursts into laughter) Thieves always look upon everyone as thieves because they themselves are. Bhandari is under the illusion that all the corruption and maladministration that used to happen during his regime is spilling over into the present administration. But that's not so.

Q: You have recently spoken to the Centre about reservation for the tribal people in Sikkim. What is this about?
A. In the Sikkim Assembly, there is reservation for tribals. Earlier, there was reservation for the Nepalis and the Limbus. The people of Sikkim want to revert to that status.

—Labonita Ghosh

MetroScape

Man In The Mirror
You wouldn't have missed the dark, brooding look in the television promos of Amitabh Bachchan's forthcoming psycho-thriller Aks. Credit the film's surreal halo to 40-year-old cinematographer and ad filmmaker Kiran Deohans.
more...

Looking Glass

Delhi Restaurant:
Eatopia

Kolkata Restaurant:
Ar-han Thai

Delhi Theatre:
Once I Was Young ... Now I'm Wonderful

A renewed legal offensive against former Union minister Sukh Ram foils his political plans in Himachal, besides embarrassing the state Government. INDIA TODAY's
Special Correspondent Ramesh Vinayak reports in
Blast From The Past