Advantage Outsiders
With the balance tilted against it, the Taliban regime will soon find itself vanquished.

Lull Before The Storm
Amid calls for a quick and decisive end to the conflict, Afghanistan has been abuzz with talk of an imminent Northern Alliance ground war against the Taliban.

History's Pointers
The Soviet Union's 10 years campaign in Afghanistan — a conflict that led to a humiliating withdrawal and, some say, its eventual breakup
— can be a learning experience for
the US.

NORTH AMERICAN SPECIAL: VARIETY

New York
Face Of Patriotism

From the darkest day of American history emerged pride, patriotism and a nation united. Three days after the terrorists attacks, a non-profit organisation began shooting a commercial to reflect the mood of the people. Thousands of diverse Americans auditioned for the chance to look directly at the camera and say, “I am an American.” Ten days later, it began to air on national television.

An Indian face made a mark there. Radha Mehta, 21, a student at Duke University, Durham, NC, majoring in computer science, economics and business, who has never modelled for anything before, answered the call for volunteers. Born and raised here, Mehta was on the brink of tears as she stood on the stairs of her university’s chapel to be a part of the commercial. “I said nothing but the truth. I am glad I got the opportunity. I feel a strong sense of emotion for America and I am American and I am also proud of my Indian culture,” said Mehta, who sings in an Indian band.

Chicago
Sister Act

The ceremony marked the extending of a family to bring a new member into its fold. When Sheila Dikshit, chief minister of Delhi, and Richard Daily, Chicago’s mayor, signed an agreement on October 10, it made India’s capital the 23rd sister city of Chicago. Held at the Chicago Cultural Center, the event was attended by senior city officials and community leaders. Philip B. Rooney, chairman of the Sister Cities Programme, explained that with the agreement, both the cities would cooperate in identifying common problems and interests to help each other. Stating that with the signing of the agreement, relations between the two cities as well as the two countries, would strengthen, Daily promised to visit Delhi soon. Dikshit was all praise for Chicago’s architecture and amenities. But she had nice words for Delhi too. “Delhi might be poor,” she said, “but it is rich in architecture and is culturally great.”

With three arresting performances, an Oscar-winning director and a heap of publicity, Hollywood had expected Bandits to be a sure-fire hit. For co-producer Ashok Amritraj, the $85 m-crime caper was the biggest project of his two decade-long Hollywood career. Its protagonists—Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thorton and Cate Blanchett—had hoped for a huge hit, too. The market tracking said the movie would open with a $20 m weekend. But Bandits opened in second place in mid-October, with a $12 m gross, unable to derail the gritty Traffic Day starring Denzel Washington. New York, of course, constitutes about 20 per cent of the national box-office. Now, the movie is expected to grab about $45 m—a modest sum indeed. But the chances of the film doing excellent business abroad are still bright, Hollywood box-office experts believe, as Willis has a bigger fan base abroad.

Never mind that its theme is serious, the message can nonetheless be conveyed using humour. At least, that’s what The Theft of Sita—an Australian-Indonesian Music Theater collaboration based on the Ramayana—successfully did. At its US premiere as part of the 2001 Next Wave Festival, The Theft won accolades for its combination of disparate elements, such as ancient and modern storytelling, eastern and western music, and Australian and Indonesian culture brought to life through wayang kulit, an Indonesian art featuring intricate puppets. Nigel Jamieson, who created and directed The Theft ..., says of his production, “It is as much Bart Simpson as it is the Bible. The heroes in our production are clowns.”

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Mumbai Restaurant:
India Jones

Mumbai Puppetry Festival: Toccata

Bangalore Restaurant: Chung Wah

Kolkata Exhibition : Life Is Beautiful