INDIA TODAY: January to April 2004
April
26, 2004
Shift & Shine
The smell of success creates its own stink. It disorients the mind of
the imminent victor. This is precisely what is happening to the ruling
National Democratic Alliance led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
April
19, 2004
Bollywood's Coolest Summer
In what is Bollywood's coolest summer yet, over Rs 100 crore is riding
on the back of at least seven big films that try to woo the young and
the trendy. It is also about Bollywood finally becoming more believable.
From Mani Ratnam to Boney Kapoor, they are packaging this little crazy
thing called love in quirky, well-written, urban and good-looking movies.
April
12, 2004
Family Business
Every sixth candidate in the electoral fray is a product of hereditary
politics. Over 100 families are competing for power in 250 constituencies
as sons and daughters redefine politics more as an enterprise, less as
a vocation.
April
05, 2004
Bowled Over
The Boys in Blue perform when it matters most, but more than cricket it's
the fans who break down barriers and decades of hostility to script an
incredible new chapter of mutual bonding and affinity that could set the
stage for a dramatic, positive phase in subcontinental rivalry.
March
29, 2004
The building blocks are in place
The India Today Conclave's theme this year is: Building an Indian Century.
What are the transformations and revolutions that must take place to achieve
this? Read what the finest of minds have to say.
March
22, 2004
Shine and Shock
The BJP has yielded to the temptation of One-Man-All-Vote. the Congress
is in a mood to make enormous concessions. Will the heavily marketed Atal
Mantra win or will the Congress succeed in taking the gloss off India
Shining? E-2004 will provide many answers, not least of all, Atal vs Who?
March
15, 2004
The lust for youth
Lasers for smooth skin, hair transplants, libido pills, dyes for better
vision and drugs to cure creaking joits—new technology is healping Indians
look and feel younger.
March
08, 2004
Passage to Pakistan: How Safe?
Unprecedented security measures are being taken to protect the Indian
team as it travels across the border to play a historic series after 15
years. Worries remain though about how fail-proof the cover is.
March
01, 2004
On A High Horse
Welcome to the power parade, with its corporate big daddies, its geek
gods, its dream barons and its media czars. And scoff not at the networker
who understands power better than most.
February
23, 2004
Amitabh Bachchan: Ageless Superstar
At 62, he plays the leading man in movies scripted for him and directed
by people half his age Meet Amitabh Bachchan in his second innings, the
still-so-sexy patron saint of New Bollywood.
February
16, 2004
Pakistan's Rogue Scientist
How the flamboyant father of the Islamic bomb sold nuclear secrets in
the international market triggering a global worry about loose nukes in
wrong hands and bringing ignominy to his country
February
09, 2004
The Right Turn
Call this the Age of Vajpayee. India's most popular politician has come
to exploit the country's new conservative spirit. he has also given the
BJP an unprecedented level of electoral acceptability
February
02, 2004
Shine Factor
The Indian economy is shining bright, probably the brightest in a decade.
But how long will the good days last? Is this the beginning of a long
spell of prosperity or the end of a flash of recovery? The Board of India
Today Economists takes a close look to gauge the situation.
January
26, 2004
Face Off
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is both leader and slogan for the ruling NDA. And
time is running out for Sonia Gandhi to come up with an alternative agenda
that can redeem the Congress.
January
19, 2004
Gambling on Peace
In a courageous initiative, Musharraf takes on terrorists and Vajpayee
puts his credibility at stake as India and Pakistan decide to shed old
hostilities and shibboleths and make a bold new quest for peace.
January
12, 2004
The Great Unifier
The year 2003 belongs to A.B. Vajpayee who brought stability in the theatre
of politics as well as in the marketplace of aspirations. An embodiment
of positive leadership, he redefined power in a very short time and is
truly the Newsmaker of the Year.
January
05 , 2004
Midas hour
So, to borrow the title of an American bestseller, Dude, where's my country?
In the autumnal fog of 2003, even if the vision of the stocktaker is impaired
by that familiar annual malady of calendar fetish, can't you really see
where it is? No, it is not a stagnant shame in the backyard of civilisation-and
if you want to see one, look in the distant deserts of Mesopotamia. And,
sorry, India is not an oriental remoteness in tatters.