India Today

INDIA TODAY ARCHIVE

If the BJP loses the UP elections, will it have an impact on
A. B. Vajpayee's Government?

CURRENT ISSUE FEBRUARY 25, 2002

COVER STORY: UNDERWORLD-JEHADI NEXUS

The Instruments of Terror

Last week, Indian diplomacy notched up a significant victory by persuading the United Arab Emirates to deport Aftab Ansari—also known here as Farhan Malik—to India. Ansari is said to have been the mastermind behind the attack on the USIS in Kolkata. Almost simultaneously, the authorities in Pakistan arrested Saeed Omar Sheikh. Before their arrests, Omar Sheikh and Aftab Ansari were the sinister masterminds of a nexus between the underworld and jehadi forces. Their creation had the potential to unleash a wave of terror across India.

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WEB ONLY FEATURES


"Jag Pravesh Chandra was my political rival for the past 36 years. But more than that, he was my param hitaishi friend and guide", says Madan Lal Khurana. A Selfless Stalwart

COVER STORY: PAKISTAN			COVER STORY: PAKISTAN

The Boy Next Door			Sweet 'N' Sour
After the USIS attack probe, Kolkata discovers that the bylanes of its Muslim-dominated areas have been home to ultras.			Bush congratulates Musharraf for cracking down on extremism but keeps arms out of the aid package.
THE NATION: BY-ELECTIONS			STATES: UTTAR PRADESH

Also Starring			Gods on the Stump
While the focus of the ongoing polls is on the four states, five by-elections could determine the futures of political stalwarts.			From Varanasi to Gorakhpur, from godly to the godforsaken. A political journey through the wild east of Uttar Pradesh.



LETTERS			EDITORIAL
From The Editor In Chief To The Editor			After the Mahabharat Whatever the election results, they are not a mandate to cripple governance.

OTHER STORIES

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INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE


The Conclave concludes on a high note. Al Gore, Stanley Fischer and other world leaders listen and our heard. Catch up on the highlights. Take me to Conclave now

INDIA TODAY HINDI



THE NEWSPAPERTODAY


STATES: KERALA Writ of the People			NEIGHBOURS: AFGHANISTAN Taliban Hunt
Antony's attempt to break the striking unions' stranglehold on the administration receives a strong public backing.			There is evidence to show that key Taliban leaders have fled to remote areas in Pakistan and pose a threat to the region.
BUSINESS: TELECOM Lord of the Rings			ECONOMY: SEBI INVESTIGATION Shooting In the Dark
Fifteen launches in six months, Rs 2, 500- crore borrowing plan and a public issue. Is Bharti shooting for the moon?			SEBI's ban on scam-tainted brokers even before the probe was completed has not helped the investors' cause.

SPORTS: HOCKEY In the Striking Circle			OFFTRACK: DELHI Tread Mark
The Indian team has the opportunity to set aside the heavy burden of history and count itself among the sport's elite again.			An entrepreneur helps an eco headache gain acceptance in living rooms.
HEALTH WATCH Buckle Down But Sit Up			SOCIETY AND TRENDS: SARIS The New Age Sari
The seatbelt saves lives and helps prevent severe injuries. But it's not as if you strap on the belt and all is well.			The essentially Indian garment redefines its appeal as a fashionable yet manageable wear that can make a personal statement.
HERITAGE: MADHYA PRADESH In Mowgli's Playground			THE ARTS: TRIBAL EXHIBITION Living Rites
The wolf child's trail promises to be an exciting new package on Madhya Pradesh's tourism map once it gets past the babus.			A photo shown by a German anthropologist allows a rare glimpse into the lives and practices of tribal India.

COLUMNS


FIFTH COLUMN: TAVLEEN SINGH Suffrage Circus			KAUTILYA: JAIRAM RAMESH Time to Tune in to FM
Elections are no longer about the popular verdict, but a jamboree of mobocracy.			Very soon it will be the day of the annual Big B in Delhi.


NEWSNOTES


CENTRESTAGE By Ajit Ninan			QUOTE OF THE WEEK
			"It was only the strong stand of President Musharraf and help from the US and other countries through which we could defeat terrorism." Interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai

CAPLOOKS


Less Malice, Less Masala			Oriya? Oh No
Forced by rains to drop his tour, Vajpayee calls journalists to set some records.			Naveen Patnaik should be lucky that he did not have to begin with grassroots politics.
Old Foes New Friends			Security Recheck
Priyanka was missed by UP Congressmen when she opted not to campaign.			Naidu may be insecure about his job but his office should ward off all security worries.
Tremors

SPOTLIGHT SIGNPOSTS GOLDEN PUMPKIN DESPATCH CONTROVERSY
MUNCIPAL ELECTIONS WORLD WATCH ENTERPRISE CINEMA MUSIC REVIEW

REGULARS


BOOKS
Love Sonnets of Ghalib: Sarfaraz K. Niazi			Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in C. Asia
Of the poet at his passionate best and the life and times that shaped his 'mizaaj'.			The veteran journalist tracks new growth areas of jehad with lucidity.

The Defence Makeover: Pravin Sawhney
This is Mills and Boon with a dash of the Gothic.			Authorspeak

METRO TODAY


Diary of Events

EYECATCHERS
Preity Zinta, Mahesh Dattani, Moon Moon Sen, Riya, Rakhee, Sharmila Tagore

NRI DIARY


The proposal to curtail arranged marriages among immigrants raises a storm in Britain. As You Like It			Setting the Pace Premier Offerings Rookie Talkie India Calling