Satish Gujral returned to New York with his collection of paintings after 28 long years. Unwilling to compromise on his "ethnic baggage", the modernist painter had shunned the West. He finally relented when his exhibition was ensured an Indian window with Arts India offering to host it together with Delhi's Art Today. In the interregnum, the veteran and multifaceted painter has continued to experiment with form and content. The latest set of paintings has its roots in the north Indian traditions. "I took inspiration from Indian miniatures. Sikh artists developed this further and started drawing common people. I have followed this trend," says Gujral.

The exhibition which kicked off on June 21 was inaugurated by Ambassador Lalit Mansingh, also a good friend of the Gujrals. The inauguration saw about 300 people packed into the Lower Manhattan art gallery. There were a host of celebrities, including former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner and prominent Indian painter based in the US, Natvar Bhavsar.

BACK WITH A BANG: Gujaral (in waistcoat) flanked by Mansingh (right), Datta and other guests and wife Kiran at the show;(below) his paintings on display

On Day One itself a third of the 24 paintings on display were sold and another lot had been booked. "Overall in terms of sales and attendance we are delighted," says Projit Datta, director of Arts India.

Gujral, when asked to sum up his feelings on his return to the Big Apple, remarked in his usual effusive style: "Artists are men of feelings, not men of ideas."

-Anil Padmanabhan

RACISM IN UK UNIVERSITIES
Institutional Prejudice

FALSE CALM: Racism is alive in UK institutions

Racism is rampant in Britain's old universities like Oxford, Sussex and Manchester, says a study on entry into higher education. The research by the Nuffield Foundation shows a clear bias against certain ethnic groups. It says discrimination against Chinese and black Caribbean applicants appeared to be relatively weak, but Indians, Pakistanis, black Africans and even the Irish were the least preferred students. However, the study also reveals that Britain's new universities actively favour ethnic minorities.

Complaints of racism in universities are also on the increase in the UK. Oxford University is facing cases of allegations of racial discrimination, while Manchester University has been shaken by an official grievance against institutional racism.

-Ishara Bhasi

Down, Down, Dow Jones

In the past three months the Dow Jones index has steadily fallen and has now dropped below the 10,000 mark-close to the first quarter levels of 1999. The fall has baffled many as it comes at a time when the economic indices were seen to be improving. A closer look, however, reveals otherwise. Markets reflect the fear of investment levels in the economy having flattened out and a loss of confidence in American companies in the wake of corporate governance scandals. Adding to these is the onset of fiscal woes, with the US budget accounts turning red after the bountiful decade of the 1990s.

-Anil Padmanabhan