Anything To Declare, Mr Verma?
The arrest of the Central Board of Excise & Customs chairman has revealed the rot that has set in the premier revenue- collection authority. An inside story of his assets, and rise to position of power. Plus: The sex and smuggling controversy arising from his dubious links with Uzbek nationals.

The Silk Route
The Customs played an active role in a smuggling racket by Uzbek couriers that could have compromised the nation's security.

Rites Of Passage Despite stringent internal controls, the CBEC is one of the most sullied departments in the country.

The Earth Citizen
The former United States president returns to India to share the sorrows of quake-hit Gujarat.

In Quest Of Numbers
There's a scramble for winning combinations, from caste-based alliances in Tamil Nadu to political pragmatism in Bengal and Assam.

Green And Bear It
The Delhi Government's complacency leads to a bumpy ride for commuters.

Free At Last
Removal of quantitative restrictions on all imports will transform the Indian market like never before.

EYECATCHERS

Model Assignment

Beauty queen and model Manpreet Brar, 27, admired as much for her easy eloquence as her toothy sex appeal, is now turning her on-stage altruistic pledges into reality. The former Miss Universe runners up, in between doing a travel show for CNN and negotiating a newly married life, is helping the The Cancer Patients Aid Association organise a fund raiser later this year that will honour women achievers and also create awareness about the disease. "It's great that my celebrity status can be lent to do something positive," says Brar. It's been known to help.

Playing Along

This rakish, sharp-featured guy isn't going to act in films, not yet. But Rahul Sharma, son of santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma and a consummate percussionist himself, has been asked by Yash Chopra to compose the music for Mujhse Dosti Karoge starring Rani Mukherjee and Hrithik Roshan. Dad Sharma had scored for many of Chopra's hits but always with team mate Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Son is going solo. "I want to do only two movies a year," says Rahul, obviously expecting a flood. Good to be decisive.

Quick, Need An Actor

Indian-team absentee Anil Kumble hasn't just been convalescing from a shoulder surgery, he's also been toying with the idea of becoming an actor. "Ya, but it's not a conventional film, there's no Aishwarya Rai in it," he hastily clarifies. "It's more like a documentary but I haven't decided yet, although Rajeev Menon is trying to persuade me." The film, by director Menon, is about a handicapped boy meeting an empathetic cricketing superstar and is based on a similar experience of Kumble. Meanwhile, tightlipped Menon only concedes an annoying, "nothing has been confirmed" line. Maybe including Ash would help.

All For Love

Her first album was tolerably tuneful and had an honourable shelf life (at least a month). But when originality deserted her, peppy crooner Alisha Chinai took asylum in the tawdry world of pop-icon mimicry ... that of Madonna. Inventiveness, however, was restored before further damage, and the trend continues with a soon-to-be-released album, Ishq Se Ishq. The resourceful Chinai has got Sanjay Chowta to compose the music and Ram Gopal Varma to direct the video. "We're all in love with the idea of being in love or in love with love itself. That's my inspiration," says the singer. Don't tell Madonna that.

Compiled by Anshul Avijit

MetroScape

Rock Solid
Here's the big truth for those who doubted the band's durability: Deep Purple is still together--and after 33 years of full-detonation rocking.
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Looking Glass

Delhi Exhibition:
Ghislaine Aarsse Prins

Delhi Restaurant:
Art Diva Cafe

Mumbai Bar:
Starboard Bar