For some time now, Diwali has no longer been just the festival of lights but a celebration of conspicuous consumption instead. While the occasion calls for big spending and the worship of the Goddess of Wealth, India often went to an ostentatious extreme—spending lakhs of rupees on fireworks, decorations, gifts, clothes, lavish parties or just gambling it away. Gold and glitter is out, togetherness in. Tired of reckless revelry and rituals, people now look at the festival of lights as a more meaningful and individualistic celebration. Yet for those who wish to splurge, this economy-hit festival promises to be the cheapest in years.
 

With prices touching a new low across the consumer goods spectrum, it will be the cheapest Diwali in the past five years.

The first 'Making Sense of India
Challenge' results favour firmly
handling Pakistan.
 

As rebellion erupts, Mulayam Singh begins poaching. But with the Congress noncommittal, Mayawati may be safe.

As the assembly elections draw near, Modi's Gaurav Yatra acquires a sharper political edge.

The Board of India Today Economists members offer solutions to key problems facing the Indian economy.

India has nearly $64 billion of forex reserves. Can it leverage on this to usher in more reforms?

In the power struggle between Wickremesinghe and the President, peace could be the first victim.

Pakistan's covert involvement in North Korea's nuclear programme poses a serious challenge to the US as well as India.

A sports organisation in the capital city
brings joy into the lives of
'special' children.

India is frustrated by its inability to get
past Portuguese laws in bringing Abu Salem home.

Saddam Hussein's kingdom exists in solitary confinement. It tries to smile, but you can picture the teardrops.

There seems to be more hype than truth
in the reports of hunger-related deaths
in Orissa.

The Sunderbans is under threat. Without remedial steps coastal West Bengal could face an ecological disaster.

As Tamil Nadu and Karnataka war over the Cauvery waters, thousands from both states converge to worship the river goddess.

The macho man is in a new role as he stretches his acting muscles and dons the part of a thinking actor.

The Zimbabwe leg of the 2003 World Cup is in jeopardy.

"The statement cannot even be uttered by an uncivilised brute. This shows Praveen Togadia's moral and mental bankruptcy."
S.M. Krishna, Karnataka chief minister, on the VHP leader's derogatory remark against Sonia Gandhi. More

A sympathetic yet unflinching study of the architect, the man and his wife.

Yann Martel , Neena Gupta, Sonali Bendre, Nikhil Chopra