After more than a decade of normal rains, the monsoon has seen a shortfall of 50 per cent this year. The quirky behaviour of the rains—there are floods in the east but a drought elsewhere—seems to hint at this being a fallout of global warming. Experts warn the Himalayan glaciers and the polar ice caps are melting fast. The subsequent rise in sea levels could submerge coastal areas.
Amid all these fears, of more immediate concern is
the drought that stares the country in the face. A look
at how the failure of the monsoon could impact India
and its economy.
 

Worst since 1987, 321 out of 593 districts across the country have been hit and there is ten million tonne drop in output.

The Union minister's unyielding stand on the railway zone issue has created a rare unity in his politically divided state.
 

Anti-narcotic agencies crack down on the illegal trade of opium.

Jaswant Singh's tax sops for the middle class are disappointing.

The unfolding price war in cellular services has resulted in the deepest and widest rate cuts and is reshaping the industry.

Powell signals a subtle shift in America's subcontinental policy that puts Kashmir on the agenda, making India uncomfortable.

In order to attract talent, the armed forces propose both a reduction in the age profile of COs as well as more posts at the top.

General Musharraf's overtures in his first ever visit to Bangladesh may be cause for concern for India.

A development project fails to erase the stigma of a red-light area in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar.

Tape recording of filmstar Sanjay Dutt and others talking to a mafia don put the film industry under a cloud.

Some children show a worrisome violent trait in everyday behaviour. Just how bad is the problem, and what can be done ?

The jailing of a Christian nun triggers protests by missionary organisations in Chota Nagpur.

Members of the sect are being increasingly attacked by Sunni Muslims in Bengal's Murshidabad district.

England's tactics of containment make Sachin stumble at Lord's. Have Nasser Hussain's men found the way to stop him.

An exhibition brings together the rich—and usually ignored—pictorial output of the Independence struggle.

This satirist is witty, wicked and
very serious.

Aamir Khan & Boris Becker, Rimi Sen, Manoj Night Shyamalan, Lakshmi Menon