Falling Star
The uproar over the prime minister's threat to resign may be over with the NDA reaffirming its faith and promising to behave. But the incident has called into question Vajpayee's inclination to govern. Buffeted by crises, is he preparing for a last bow? A report.

The Political Bank
The never-dying saga of UTI pitches the Government and the Opposition into the usual slanging match. More skeletons fall out of the UTI cupboard proving that the institution has been misused by politicians of all hues.

Crouching Tiger
Discontent is brewing in the RSS and the VHP over the coalition-hampered BJP and a pacifist Vajpayee being unable to push through the saffron programme. How long will it be before they refuse to toe the BJP line?

The Centre
Cannot Hold
Prodded by the DMK to requisition the services of three IPS officers involved in the arrest of M. Karunanidhi, the NDA Government is dragged into a constitutional debate.

Unravelling The Plot
A week after Samajwadi MP Phoolan Devi was gunned down by masked murderers, all the men believed to be involved have been arrested. Yet many questions remain to be answered before the case is solved.

Space Invaders
Research reveals life on earth may have originated from outer space comets.

NEWSNOTES

Voices

"I think it will be in the best interests of the NDA if certain norms are formulated for entry and re-entry of any party into the NDA."
K. Jana Krishnamurthy, president of the BJP, on parties leaving the NDA and returning at will

"I am surprised that every time the Indian athletes compete abroad, they fail to repeat performances recorded in India."
'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh, on charges that Indian athletes take performance-enhancing drugs

"Every man should know a woman is not a commodity for pleasure. She has her own identity and should be respected by everyone."
Phoolan Devi, former dacoit and MP, in an interview to The Indian Express published after she was shot dead last week

"I agree that I have forged and broken alliances. However, as long as I am in a party or an alliance I have been sincere and loyal."
Ajit Singh, Union agriculture minister, on Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala accusing him of being a 'party hopper'

VIS-A-VIS

"Vajpayee said that the words 'without territorial limits' in the cease-fire agreement would be deleted."
L.K. Advani, Union Home Minister

"Nothing was finalised on reviewing the agreement ... So, it is in no sense acceptable to the Nagas."
Thuingaleng Muivah, NSCN (I-M) leader

MetroScape

Man Of Many Parts
Dilip Chhabria is shifting gears. The 48-year-old ex-designer, rejuvenating the geriatric Ambassador and, sacrilege, redesigning the Mercedes, is diversifying.
more...

Looking Glass

Kolkata Aroma Bar:
The Address

Delhi Exhibition: Journey-Yatra

Bangalore Restauran t: Ai Cavalli

Bangalore Ice-dems : Stem dance theatre

Bangalore Furniture : Cinnamon

Kolkata & Delhi Play: Macbeth

Mumbai Photography : R. Veeresh Babu

Clinical tests of a controversial drug at a Kerala cancer institute exposes the vulnerability of the medical field to a larger malaise. An investigation by India Today Special Correspondent M.G. Radhakrishnan in
Trial And Error