Superstition Or Superscience?
Amid accusations of having saffronised higher education of the country, the Centre approves the teaching of astrology in universities.
Is the Government promoting a
science or a sham?

Science Or Sham?
Even as stargazers claim their knowledge has an empirical basis, scientists debunk it as mumbo-jumbo.

PM's Point Man
Sidelined two years ago, he has bounced back to become one of the most powerful ministers in the NDA.

Diverging Tracks
The Gormu-Lhasa railway line will significantly improve China's military logistics capability and exert strategic pressure on India.

Plane Pique
The Gujarat Government resents the CAG indictment for the purchase of an aircraft.

SPORTS: CRICKET

Interview: John Wright
"Sri Lanka Were A Very Beatable Side"

After the series defeat Indian coach John Wright spoke to Associate Editor Sharda Ugra. Excerpts:

Q. Are you disappointed that India didn't win or surprised that it actually got close?
A. We all felt it was going to be a tough series but the disappointing aspect is that I think Sri Lanka are a beatable side. They were vulnerable but in the deciding games in the one-dayers and the Tests they put it together better than us.

Q. Dav Whatmore said that the Indians got complacent after Kandy. Fair comment?
A. I don't think we were complacent. They just look a little bit stronger than us in being able to sustain their efforts for long periods of time. The thing that they do very well here is that their international programme is very structured. They trained hard for two months and didn't play a lot of cricket before the series.

Q. What about the Indian batting collapses?
A. There is a certain confidence within the players in their batting when they play in India, Whereas when the ball is moving around, the selection of strokes, the balance between attack and defence is very critical. People will miss out in those conditions. It's critical that the ones who get in put big scores on the board and that's what we've really missed. Here Mohammed Kaif and Hemang Badani are very new in their careers and they feel that pressure.

Q. India has away tours against South Africa, the West Indies and England inside a year. Does India have the men for the job?
A. I think we've got a wee way to go. We have to play the seaming ball better, improve the discipline of the bowling and our running between the wickets is terrible. I feel very embarrassed by it sometimes because it is my job to get that right. It's like a rash ... it's not there at all and then all of a sudden... We have to accept we have to do better at it. The next thing we've got to do is to rotate strike better. You can't play the big shots in seaming conditions. Certainly the natural resources are all there but I think we have to put it together better.

Full text of the interview at: www.thenewspapertoday.com

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