The arrival of coalition politics, greater political turbulence and fickle majorities have given the President an importance of his own. These days the President is called upon to apply his mind when there are no conclusive majorities or when the government takes decisions that are not exactly in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution. The election of the next President will be a ferociously fought event because in the era of hung mandates all parties see it prudent to have a friendly man at Raisina Hill. There are at least six probables for the post, besides the usual dark horses.

For the first time, tribal-inspired communal violence has resulted in the death of 150 people in Gujarat.

Transition from a guerrilla to a political leader is going to be V. Prabhakaran's biggest test.
 

After two years of dismal returns, equity-based mutual funds are set to stage a slow but steady recovery.

As Pakistan hints at nuclear first-use, India explores missile defence plans with the United States.

Rising sales, new brands and an image makeover has the industry preparing for a heady summer.

Hope soars higher in new (and not-so-red) China, and Stalinist urban renewal and a new consuming class are its messengers.

The proposed move to curtail duration of visits to the US may affect Indians opting for short-term visits.

A Bangalore-based firm with a team of engineers has developed a way of using plastic waste for road construction.

The once arduous pilgrimage to Vaishnodevi is now a trekker's delight. For the navratras, the shrine gets yet another face-lift.

Ramayana in Persian? That and other medieval texts at this library in the
state capital.

A new religious divide is tangible in Rajasthan these days—many Muslims have forsaken the state's traditional attire.

The Mumbai Police is embarrassed as their big catch ends up becoming the one that got away.

Aparna Sen's latest Indie film has several firsts: it's a linguistic potpourri with a
post-9/11 setting.

People who follow Mumbai's mafia story, and the dons who underwrite it, will consider this film with a sense of deja vu.

Pakistan would not dare to take on India so brazenly if it weren't for US support.

Russia re-emerges as a major oil power and the Saudis don't like it.

When Advani inaugurated the installation of CCTV cameras at the IGI airport, the idea was to monitor the Customs counters

Former prime minister P. V. Narasimha Rao's visit to Bhubaneswar was a very
low-key.

Sikkim Chief Minister Chamling thinks his hill state doesn't count enough in the Indian Union even 28 years after joining it.

Gunesekera returns to the island of the day before, ravaged by war and memory.

Voters are less likely to favour British Asian or black candidates than white ones at general elections.

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