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The year that was - December 29, 2001
A slide show.
All we need is the will - December 18, 2001
Ganesh Nadar reports how a village in Tamil Nadu battled corruption and won.
The birth of an orphan - December 11, 2001
Crouching in the loft of a multi-storeyed house in Kashmir, 14-year-old Vinod Kumar listened to the sounds of his family being slaughtered below... A new series begins!
The Resurrection of Ayodhya - December 6, 2001
On the ninth anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, Vivek Fernandes reports on the BJP's plan to breathe life into the issue.
Untangling the Bodo tangle - December 1, 2001
The fate of the Bodos must be decided with the Bodos first -- only then should come the question of adjusting other interests, writes Urkhao Gwra Brahma.
'If only my husband hadn't gone to that brothel' - December 1, 2001
The Positive Women's Network is a lifeline for thousands with AIDS in south India. Shobha Warrier reports.
Have I Been a Good Man? - November 22, 2001
'My hidden secrets, my enmities, my peccadilloes exposed for questioning? The thought is terrifying.' S Ali on the spirit of Ramadan.
Everything you want to know about POTO - November 19, 2001
Krishna Prasad's Q&A on the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, 2001.
Nobody's Children - November 15, 2001
Childline, a project for emotionally disturbed youngsters, is fast turning into a dumping ground for less endowed children in Tamil Nadu. Shobha Warrier reports.
The harvest of callousness - November 6, 2001
What we reap in Orissa today, the starvation deaths, is the result of a quarter century of neglect, writes Ratna Rajaiah.
Arundhati Roy pens another controversy - November 5, 2001
Writers find the Booker Prize winner's anti-war essays 'hypocritical' and 'unoriginal', reports Aseem Chabra.
The Land of Inequalities - November 1, 2001
After Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttaranchal, Telangana is now fighting for statehood. George Iype reports.
Let us uphold our national pride - November 1, 2001
But this is not the time for war with Pakistan. What is needed now is patience and preparation, writes Wing Commander (retd) R V Parasnis.
Look, Naipaul just writes the books! - October 31, 2001
An evening in New York, with a 'kinder, gentler' Sir Vidia. Jeet Thayil reports.
'Sometimes it's coercion, sometimes money' - October 30, 2001
'Tomorrow, October 31, will be a dark day in the by-lanes of Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin.' Ganesh Nadar reports on the election to local bodies.
Born to die - October 24, 2001
According to the latest census figures, female infanticide, foeticide and every other form of female infant genocide seems to be alive and kicking. Gita Aravamudan reports.
Religious leaders join war against female foeticide - October 24, 2001
'In the interiors, people still believe strongly in religion. If religious leaders from all sects say selective abortion is against the tenets of religious faith, it will work wonders,' says R Bhama, deputy secretary, NCW.
Maangley abandons its Muslims - October 22, 2001
Accused, condemned and punished by fellow villagers for a crime they may not even have committed, Muslim families in a village near Sangli in western Maharashtra are once again on the lookout for a place they can call their own.
About Turn! - October 17, 2001
If Zia is to be remembered for altering the military's moderate character, Musharraf should be
remembered for restoring its original liberal character, says Amir Mir.
When Sir Vidia cried... - October 15, 2001
The occasion that moved Naipaul to tears had nothing to do with his winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, 2001, says Aseem Chhabra.
'Naipaul is a blunt man'
As Naipaul's critics have declared a new jihad on him, his supporters are fortifying the defense. Arthur J Pais on Nobel Laureate V S Naipaul.
'Who is the man who killed my brother?' - October 13, 2001
Mian Zahid Ghani believes the American media is responsible for the death of his brother-in-law, in what has now been acknowledged as a deadly response to the September 11 attacks. "They generalised that all Muslims are terrorists."
The silence of the confused - October 10, 2001
'I grieve for the families of those who lost loved ones, but I am sadder for what is happening to the USA. A veil has been lifted for most of us and what we sense is not so pretty,' says television host Hari Sreenivasan.
A seasoned and gentle MP - October 8, 2001
'Madhavrao declared he had never reached Parliament via the Rajya Sabha, a clear reference to Jaswant Singh. He had been elected nine times to the Lok Sabha, he said, adding, "I have never entered this building from the backdoor." '
'We are in a limbo' - October 1, 2001
If it had been a car accident, Sriram says, the family would have known with certainty what became of his father. It is the uncertainty associated with the World Trade Center disaster that haunts him.
'Madhavrao had no business to die' - September 30, 2001
The last few months were not kind to him. His mother passed into the ages. His niece Devyani Rana was at the heart of controversy following the massacre in Nepal's royal family. In recent months, it was felt, Sonia Gandhi did not give him the authority he deserved.
On the campaign trail with Maharaj - September 30, 2001
In Gwalior Madhavrao Scindia was His Highness, the Maharaj. But in his 30-year political career, he always attempted to project himself as a people's leader, says Archana Masih.
Merchants of mayhem - September 28, 2001
A primer on the organisations, individuals and NGOs whose financial lifelines the US government is trying to sever.
The faces of America - September 26, 2001
Since September 11, Lyndon Cerejo has seen a new America in the way people reacted, in the way companies responded, in the way life changed and in the way some things didn't.
A clash of civilisations is very real - September 25, 2001
'One false step on either side and mankind will slip into a quagmire,' says Anil Athale.
World War III? - September 24, 2001
'The air assault may last one week till the time the Taleban is divided into small groups, unable to communicate with each other and incapable of a response to any ground attack,' says Anil Athale.
'Don't send an army of elephants to kill a cockroach' - September 18, 2001
'Bin Laden could take shelter in the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan where he is worshipped almost like God. Even the Pakistan army and Inter-Services Intelligence don't know the area well,' says jehad specialist B Raman.
New York, 7 Days Later - September 18, 2001
Paresh Gandhi captures the mood of the city a week after last Tuesday's catastrophe.
Hobson's choice - September 17, 2001
'Musharraf's associates say the general is under tremendous pressure. The US wants a decision according to its plans, not all of which have been shared with Pakistan.' Amir Mir on Islamabad's dilemma.
Still missing! - September 17, 2001
No figures are available about the exact number of Indians working at the WTC, though the Indian consulate believes at least 250 Indians are missing since the towers collapsed.
'I'm brown, that's all that mattered' - September 17, 2001
'I thought whether I should point out I'm not even from the Middle East, that I'm Indian, I'm not even Muslim, I'm Hindu but then I realized how cowardly that would be, and that ultimately it didn't make a damn bit of difference to these closed minded men where I was from.' Television host Hari Sreenivasan on the aftermath.
A wake up call for America - September 15, 2001
'Musharraf is telling the US that Pakistan will support America in its war against terrorism. He can't make such an offer without repercussions within his country unless he has the support of the fundamentalists. If he has made this offer, it must mean he will extract some promise from America. What could that promise be? America's support for Kashmir?' asks former diplomat Arvind Deo.
Has anyone seen Kiran Gopu? - September 15, 2001
Footnotes of history posted all over the Internet. Thousands of tiny tragic reminders of how life changed drastically for a multitude of people who wandered into an orbit of bad karma, took the wrong turn on Fate's path.
The First War of the 21st Century - September 14, 2001
'If the US and other NATO powers really want their counter-offensive to triumph, they have to work for the replacement from power in Islamabad of Musharraf, Lt Gen Muzaffar Usmani, his deputy chief of army staff, Lt Gen Mohammad Aziz, presently a corps commander at Lahore, and, possibly, Lt Gen Mahmood Ahmed, the ISI's director general, by moderate officers,' says B Raman.
'I want to be protected from the intolerant' - September 13, 2001
Living in America seemed Radhika Yeddanapudi's perfect answer until unknown (terrorist) powers that be set buildings, planes and mostly people on fire on Tuesday, September 11.
The third world war - September 12, 2001
The war against terrorism cannot be won by force or by causing the other side an unacceptable rate of casualties. It has to be a pincer attack of punitive retributions combined with a message of love and tolerance, says Wing Commander Ravindra Parasnis (retired).
'I am glad to be alive' - September 12, 2001
'I saw at least three or four people jumping from what must have been the 50th floor of the WTC tower. They were obviously jumping from the fire and willing to take a chance with the jump.' Eyewitness Sai Narasimham on Tuesday's tragedy.
The art of media warfare - September 8, 2001
The Vietnam war was not lost on the battlefield, but in the drawing rooms of America, says Anil Athale. India may have to pay an equally heavy price, if it continues to underestimate the importance of media warfare.
Masters of the Sky - August 20, 2001
The recent kite festival held in Bangalore had only one aim, says M D Riti: to get more and more people involved in the sport.
54 Years Later... - August 14, 2001
As the nation celebrates yet another Independence Day, rediff.com presents five views of freedom from its archives. A panoramic glimpse of what was, and what is to be...
Devastation Revisited - August 7, 2001
If the unusually heavy early monsoons coupled with huge amounts of water released from the dams in the state caused the disaster, it was the lack of preparation as well as an irresponsible administration that aggravated it, says P V Unnikrishnan.
On the run, with Veerappan - July 30, 2001
It was this time, last year, that Veerappan captured Dr Rajakumar. But, even a year later, the Kannada superstar does not bear any animosity towards the dreaded brigand.
'Phoolan believed her past would catch up with her' - July 27, 2001
The men from her past never acknowledged she spent 11 years in prison and paid for her crimes, says Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaisingh.
'Phoolan deserved a better death' - July 26, 2001
Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaisingh remembers her former client, Phoolan
Devi.
Mission to Lahore - July 17, 2001
Certainly, writes George Iype, there has been one positive outcome of Vajpayee's meeting with Nawaz Sharief: the Delhi-Lahore bus continues to ply.
When Rajiv met Zia - July 16, 2001
'Rajiv and Zia had come to some agreement over Kashmir, but unfortunately Zia died in the plane crash...' Former foreign secretary Romesh Bhandari on another Indo-Pak summit.
The Errors of Simla - July 15, 2001
Former foreign secretary J N Dixit shares his memories of the 1972 Indo-Pak summit with Sheela Bhatt.
Trouble in Tashkent - July 14, 2001
India and Pakistan, since Paritition, held four major meetings -- Tashkent, Shimla, Delhi and Lahore. Today, Kuldip Nayar, veteran journalist, MP and close aide of prime minister Shastri, shares his memories of the Indo-Pak summit in Tashkent in January 1966.
A solution for Siachen - July 12, 2001
India and Pakistan could take a leaf from world history and jointly administer Siachen until the larger issues are resolved. The question, says Claude Arpi, is whether Vajpayee and Musharraf will be bold enough to take such a step.
When India and Pakistan almost made peace - July 11, 2001
Former prime minister Morarji Desai's friends claim he had reached an agreement with Pakistan on Kashmir. Before it could be announced, though, the Janata government fell and with it was lost a precious opportunity to reach a durable agreement with Islamabad.
War in Cyberspace - July 10, 2001
Indo-Pak animosity is entrenched deeply in virtual space. As in the real world, Kashmir is the bone of contention online too.
The Navy's new instructors - July 4, 2001
Along with lessons on weaponry, tactics and strategy, the Navy's training centre echoes with episodes from the Bible, Ramayan, Mahabharat and Koran.
Much Hype, Small Gains - July 3, 2001
'The more China haggles over marginal gains in territory, remains inflexible over its 'claims' and continues to be insensitive to India's security interests, the more it loses diplomatically in New Delhi,' feels Sujit Datta.
Born to Run - June 29, 2001
Daisy Victor has won 52 medals at various international meets. This year, she has been selected for the World Veterans Athletic Meet to at Brisbane. But she will not participate because she cannot afford the airfare.
Weak, distressed, accident-prone - June 25, 2001
This is the state of many railway bridges in India. Yet, each time an accident like the Mangalore-Madras one occurs, human error is dished out as the reason.
'We will open our cards in court' - June 20, 2001
It is only the third day in the sensational Gulshan Kumar murder trial. Despite many setbacks -- five of the 17 accused are still absconding -- the police are sure they will snag the main accused, composer Nadeem Saifi.
My Flag, My Country - June 13, 2001
"If Mahatma Gandhi was alive today and was not a minister, even he would not have been able to fly the flag," says Naveen Jindal, who is waging a battle for his right to fly the Tricolour.
Escape from Kathamandu... - June 11, 2001
It was Dan and Gita Aravamudan's first holiday as a couple in 30 years. Instead of a restful retreat, they found themselves caught up in the aftermath of the Nepal royal family massacre.
Man on the Moon - June 5, 2001
'It's a gulp at first. It's almost like your stomach floats up to your head instantaneously...' Kanchana Suggu encounters Eugene Cernan, last of the moonwalkers.
God help him - June 4, 2001
In a civil court in northern Kerala, an expelled Jesuit priest is fighting a battle for reinstatement the like of which the Church has not seen before.
Unholy smoke - June 1, 2001
The army blames God for the recent fire in its arsenal. But to err is only human... Ramesh Menon reports.
Master strokes - May 31, 2001
Benoy Behl is determined to introduce the world to the history of Indian paintings.
His Father's House - May 30, 2001
When he comes to Delhi, will General Musharraf visit his ancestral house?
The Elusive Search for Veerappan - May 29, 2001
Where is Veerappan? Is he in Karnataka's MM Hills at all? Has he left the country and moved to Sri Lanka?
India's shameful debacle - May 25, 2001
India lost the 1962 war with China because Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Intelligence Bureau N B Mullik and Chief of General Staff B M Kaul believed in the fantasy that a much stronger neighbour could be confronted and overcome through guile and puny force.
How the East was lost - May 24, 2001
Field commanders receiving orders to move troops forward into territory the Chinese both held and regarded as their own warned they had no resources or reserves to meet the forceful reaction they knew must be the ultimate outcome: they were told to keep quiet and obey orders.
'If Nehru had declared his intention to attack, then the Chinese were not going to wait to be attacked' - May 23, 2001
The year was 1962. A hopelessly ill-prepared Indian Army provoked China on orders from Delhi, and paid the price for its misadventure in men, money and national humiliation.
'No one can stop Bharat from speaking the truth' - May 22, 2001
This is the only hope, says his brother Bipin, that is helping Bharat Shah survive the hardships of being imprisoned in Thane jail's infamous anda cell.
A Centre of Hope - May 21, 2001
Twenty-two years ago, all Shanthi Ranganathan -- barely 30 and recently widowed -- wanted was to have alcoholism recognised as a disease in India. Today, the hospital she has established in Madras is a forerunner in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.
The dancing beacons - May 21, 2001
'Their dance steps are graceful. Only a little more noisy and with good reason... The dancers in the troupe are all severely visually challenged.' M D Riti on an unusual dance school in Bangalore.
'I died when the Taleban destroyed the Buddhas' - May 19, 2001
T N Padmanabhan, who restored the Bamiyan Buddhas 30 years ago, is ready to return to Afghanistan -- to mend, if possible, what "some lunatics" has done.
'You acted exactly as I imagined Swami to be' - May 16, 2001
Master Manjunath did not know R K Narayan well. But his life's biggest compliment came from the master author.
'I'm giving you a lot of trouble' - May 15, 2001
'Hours before he went on ventilator, he told me about a short novel he wanted to write. The story was about the life of a grandfather.' N Ram pays tribute to his good friend, R K Narayan.
'I'm a very boring fellow' - May 14, 2001
Anvar Alikhan asked R K Narayan if he would autograph his copy of Bachelor Of Arts. Narayan turned the book around. "You paid two hundred rupees for this book?!" he said indignantly, seeing the price at the back. "Why do you waste your money like this, I say?"
The American proposal - May 10, 2001
'India is irrelevant in this 'big league' and our support or opposition is of no consequence to the US. But out of all the countries, it is
India that needs BMD and a theatre missile defence system to protect its borders!' says Colonel Anil Athale (retd).
'The UGC is trying to promote unscientific behaviour' - May 9, 2001
It began with an innocuous order promoting a university course in Vedic astrology. The decision has enraged the mathematical and scientific community, prompting them to take up cudgels against the University Grants Commission.
'I am wonderful, ain't I?' - May 8, 2001
Bryan Adams in concert: Paisa vasool!
'He is the ultimate leader of the Muslims' - May 3, 2001
Jailed PDP leader Abdul Madani's influence in Kerala may have waned. Yet, in some Muslim-dominated pockets, he is still looked upon as a saviour, prompting the Congress-led United Democratic Front to seek his help in the assembly elections.
'We have to smash the anti-India mischief-makers' - May 1, 2001
Bangladesh should not be allowed to get away with the henious torture and murder of our jawans, says Wing Commander Ravindra Parasnis (retired).
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