To mark World Consumers Day (March 15) two random surveys were undertaken in Mumbai and Bangalore. The first involved noting how many customers at the supermarket checked the "best before" date on cosmetics and shaving cream. Out of 50 buyers, 48 did not. The second involved checking the number of products that conformed to the rule requiring expiry dates to be marked on cosmetics. Answer: 20 per cent.

In March 1998, the Bureau of Indian Standards committee on cosmetics decreed that "best before" dates should be marked on all cosmetics, including skin powder, powders for infants, skin creams, soap-based shampoos, pomade and brilliantine, depilatories, nail polish, shaving cream, cosmetic pencils, tooth powder, lipstick and henna powder. The rule was long overdue. Women using stale mascara sticks have been known to develop eye infections-one case went to court in the US-and lipsticks can have bacteria and fungus (and get ingested with food). Cosmetics are expensive, and having paid good money to buy an item, consumers are often loathe to throw away the unused parts, and can end up paying medical bills instead.

The rule came into effect on January 1, 1999. Three years later, however, manufacturers, including leading MNCs, are flouting the law with impunity, taking advantage of buyers' ignorance and official apathy.

Colgate tooth powder (November 2001 batch), Old Spice and Palmolive shaving cream (September and March 2001) and Ponds talcum powder (March 2001) carried no "best before" dates. Yardley talc (manufactured October 2001) proclaimed that it was "not tested on animals" but carried no best-before date. Colgate-Palmolive in fact had to recall its toothpaste in the US recently after allegations of microbial contamination, although the organisms found were "not usually harmful to humans". If anything, "best before" dates are more important in India than in the West, because heat, humidity and poor storage conditions hasten spoilage here. But who cares? Apparently neither the buyers nor our enforcement agencies.

-Sakuntala Narasimhan

Heaven on Earth

MISSION KASHMIR: Olsson (left)

While the country simmers over the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, there is another storm brewing in the narrow lanes of Kannyar in Srinagar. Here beneath the ancient Rosabel grave is the final resting place of Jesus, according to Suzanne Marie Olsson, a New York-based researcher. She has demanded that the grave be dug and the remains be sent for DNA testing and carbon dating. "The DNA", says Olsson, "will be matched with the remains exhumed from Murree in Pakistan where lies Mother Mary." Olsson claims she has permission from the Pakistan Government to exhume remains she believes to be Mary's.

The theory that Jesus Christ survived crucifixion and spent his last years in Kashmir is not new. Russian scholar Nicolai Notovich had written about as far back as 1887.

Olsson's move has met with stiff resistance as the locals believe that Rosabel is the resting place of two Muslim saints, Sayyed Naseeruddin and Yuzu Asaf. While Olsson contends that Jesus Christ was called Yuzu Asaf in Kashmir, Mohammad Amin, member of the committee that administers Rosabel graveyard, vehemently disagrees. "This is the last resting place of two of our saints. No Muslim in the world will agree to the grave being dug up."

With no party willing to bend, the state fears a religious fallout. "We do not want another Ayodhya," says Shafi Shaida, adviser to Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.

-Prerna Singh Bindra

Meeting Season

DUO: Laloo and Rabri

Bihar's Opposition is united in at least one demand. On the opening day of the state assembly's budget session recently, communist party members sat on dharna saying the House should meet at least 90 days in a year. BJP members later drowned out Governor V.C. Pande's speech waving placards asking for the same thing.

Since 1990, when Laloo Yadav became chief minister, the House has met for an average of 35 days a year. Only 20 days of work was done in 1997 and 26 days in 2001. Leader of the Opposition Sushil Modi blames the brevity of sessions for indiscipline in the House. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister R. Purve, however, says it is the indiscipline which leads to brief sessions.

-Farzand Ahmed