Ranjit Devraj

Although India is keen to enter the to-be-expanded UN Security Council, the country has been advised that it could afford to wait for an invitation.

The South Asian tsunami disaster has reminded us of our vulnerability to nature's forces and the need for greater international cooperation.

For the third time since June, an Indian company has removed anti-Aids drugs following WHO inspections.

Because of the Nehru-Gandhi family, now led by Sonia Gandhi, India seems unable to free herself from the spell of political dynasties. Now Sonia's children hog the limelight.

While India's Parliament legalises funding of political parties by private corporations and individuals, few believe it would make a dent on the country's vast parallel economy that survives on political patronage

Will the ''anti-incumbency factor'' work against the ruling BJP and propel the Congress party to the top? With Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as prime minister, of course.

While Indian authorities remain nonchalant about Sars, the killer disease is already taking a toll o­n the country's hotel and hospitality industry.

No sporting event can better prove the Orwellian thesis - that games between national teams are a continuation of war by other means - than a clash o­n the cricket pitch between eternal rivals India and Pakistan.

Violence results from a lack of awareness of reality and this in turn stems from an absence of compassion, says Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. In view of this, he calls for the establishment of compassion as a new religion.

India will play host to leaders from some 185 countries at the Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). At hand are some pressing issues such as the impact of global warming and entitlements and accountability under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

Tiger Ladies tells the story of Kashmir through the experiences of ordinary women. It also peeps into the syncretic culture of Kashmir. It is about the loss of innocence and of paradise as represented by growing up in a large extended family.