Saturday, 19 February 2005, 1300 hrs

TOP STORIES
Karnataka, Andhra launch
offensive against Naxals
Economic backwardness may soon become a criteria for reservation in education and employment across the social spectrum
 
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
BPO sector: Doors will soon
open for small investors
A number of BPOs are slated to hit the bourses. While Allsec Technologies and Paradyne Infotech have already filed offer documents with the Securities and Exchange Bureau of India (Sebi), industry insiders say many more are waiting in the wings

Financial Express
Is Google imposing selective 
American ideas?
France's national library has raised a 'warcry' over plans by Google to put books from some of the world's great libraries on the Internet and wants to ensure the project does not lead a domination of American ideas.

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Deccan Herald
India should speak up
It is time the country stepped out and asserted itself for the cause of liberty in Iraq and Afghanistan. It must show its conviction in democracy, says PARSA VENKATESHWAR RAO JR


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Pioneer
For an Indian Lover's Day
Prince Charles and his fiancée (no longer companion, lover or mistress) Camilla Parker-Bowles have given the Valentine's Day industry a huge boost by announcing their wedding four days before this annual outburst of infantile exhibitionism. It's not that CHANDAN MITRA has anything against youngsters celebrating February 14 to demonstrate their affections, but he marvels at the way it has become a multi-billion rupee industry in India, outstripping the West


Asia Times
India's military hungry for more
The defense establishment is calling on New Delhi to increase military spending by 40% in the upcoming budget, nearly double last year's unprecedented increase. But some analysts argue that India should focus more on getting its intelligence-gathering infrastructure in order, rather than building on conventional weapons of war. By SIDDHARTH SRIVASTAVA

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Deccan Herald
Naga talks: the task ahead
Both the Government of India and the NSCN should move beyond the sterile formulas based on the territorial imperative. By M S PRABHAKARA


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Deccan Herald
Alternative sources needed
Spiralling global oil prices over the last five years might mark the beginning of the end of the era of oil, says PREM SHANKAR JHA

EDITORIAL PICKS

New border lines (Indian Express)
Kyoto to New Delhi (Hindu)
From the barrel of a gun (Pioneer)
Scramble for Indian air show  (Pioneer)
Destination peace (Tribune)
Taj corridor case (Tribune)