It was a scene from a thriller. Rohit Mahajan, a dashing police officer in civvies in a black Mercedes, chasing a Zen on a four-lane highway to rescue 21-year-old Danish student Thomas Jensen. Says the additional sp: "The armed abductors were desperate, they could have done anything.''

This was the second successful intervention in less than a month-Sumedha Durlabhji, a jeweller's wife, was rescued from Faridabad recently. But what has caused concern is the growing threat that tourists-both Indian and foreign-are exposed to in Rajasthan.

CLOSE CALL: Jensen (top) and his abductors

Jensen, a student of architecture, had visited Jaipur 10 years ago and this time was planning to celebrate his birthday for which his parents specially flew in from Denmark. But all plans went awry. Some "city guides" befriended him and sold him some gemstones "for your mother". Only to tell him later that the stones were being smuggled out and he had to settle with customs officials. "I was told to pay $15,000 (Rs 7.2 lakh)," says Jensen. "When the money couldn't be paid quickly, they began heckling me and contacted my parents." His father spoke to a friend in Delhi and a trap was laid with the help of the police.

So far 13 people have been arrested. Gangleader Vikram was also accused in a similar case of forcing a French tourist P. Sansui to pay $15,000 earlier this year. A few months ago, a foreign tourist was murdered by a Khajuraho guide in Udaipur; some years ago two Japanese girls were raped in Jaipur. The record has the police-and the tourism industry-worried. Though Jensen insists that this episode has not embittered him, other tourists may not share his enthusiasm.

-Rohit Parihar

What if the men in blue suddenly had to stop scoring runs and had to run and score? What if Zaheer "Ahn Jung" Khan was to piledrive a Fevernova instead of hurling a Kookaburra? Many consider Sourav Ganguly arrogant, but "Ruud"? And would the opposition still consider Sachin "Umit Davala" Tendulkar walking out with Virender "Valderrama" Sehwag a hair-raising sight? Don't be stumped, this may only be a bored third umpire's daydreams.

LEND US YOUR VOICE: Mangeshkar

She has often worn her heart on her sari blouse, lending her famous voice to songs with a patriotic theme. But that, apparently, is as far as it goes. Her nomination as a member of the Rajya Sabha clearly does not strike the proper chord. Her continuous absence from the House has come under sharp scrutiny after fellow parliamentarian Shabana Azmi raised the issue last week. Though Mangeshkar expressed anguish at Azmi's outburst, the fact is that India's nightingale has refused to lend her voice to a single session of the House.

In fact, she had sought permission to skip the winter session last year citing prior commitments-one of which turned out to be the inauguration of a dance school run by Sourav Ganguly's wife. What Mangeshkar fails to grasp is that a nominated seat in the Upper House is not just a "prestigious position", as she referred to it, but a responsibility given to a dozen citizens who have achieved excellence in their chosen fields. It is as much an honour as a duty. One of the reasons that eminent citizens are invited to Parliament is to lend their experience to improve the level of debate. Mangeshkar is undoubtedly a busy person but if her artistic commitments do not allow her time for Parliament, the proper thing would be for her to make way for someone else.