Bloody Finale
In life, Phoolan Devi combined the brutal underbelly of India with political fame and glamour. Gunned down in Delhi, her death could become the occasion for a new round of caste conflict in Uttar Pradesh. Phoolan
is being reinvented posthumously.
A report.

Rule Of Outlaw
Dons and politicians enjoy a symbiotic relationship in Uttar Pradesh.

Back To The Trenches
Determined not to let up on its Kashmir-centric agenda, Pakistan has stepped up violence in the Valley. Indian security forces gear up to deal with the situation.

Revenge Of Badla People who lent money to stockbrokers for financing speculators through the badla system find themselves at the receiving end of yet another scam. And with little evidence to nail the accused, chances of recovery are dim.

The Peacenik
S.B. Deuba's rapport with the Maoists helped him become prime minister. Now he has to deal with their radical demands about the monarchy and secularism.

NEWSNOTES

BJP President JANA KRISHNAMURTHY on how his party views the dialogue with Pakistan as well as the Agra Summit.

Q. How does the BJP view the Agra Summit's outcome?
A. It was neither a success nor a failure. We never expected a definitive result.

Q. Do you feel India should hold further talks with General Musharraf?
A. Further talks are possible only if General Musharraf's mindset undergoes a change. Cross-border violence must stop otherwise I don't see any useful purpose in continuing the talks.

Q. But when violence was being perpetrated in Kashmir why did A.B. Vajpayee invite Musharraf for talks?
A. Violence has been going on for over 10 years. Vajpayee decided on a peace offensive because we felt there can't be eternal enmity between neighbours. India felt that after Kargil Pakistan's army would have realised the futility of an armed attack on India. It was on this basis that Musharraf was invited.

Q. What do you think are the lessons of the Agra Summit?
A. That sincerity of purpose on India's part unless reciprocated can't yield results. Secondly, the Indian Government will have to tell Pakistan that our resolve to root out cross-border terrorism is real. Thirdly, that diplomatic courtesies and niceties should not be unilateral.

—Sharad Gupta

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Kolkata Restaurant: Ambi

Bangalore Rock Concert: Scorpions

Starved of resources and bogged down
by mismanagement, pilferage and irregularities, Punjab's civil aviation is in an utter mess. INDIA TODAY's Special Correspondent Ramesh Vinayak reports in
Airsick