The Indian Analyst, All the news and views you need on India, Monday, March 21, 2005

Monday, 21 March 2005, 1900 hrs

TOP STORIES
Meeting of envoys under way
to finetune Africa strategy
The Ministry of External Affairs is going to lay special focus on Africa from Monday when 24 Heads of Mission from that continent will assemble in Delhi for a two-day conference to finetune India�s Africa policy and flagmark new areas of expanding Indo-African relations.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Post-VAT, prices likely
to fall countrywide
The prices of almost all goods are likely to fall by one per cent after the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from April 1

FEATURE PICKS

Indian Express
How accurate are IT export numbers?
Why the wide discrepancy? Is there gross misreporting of IT figures? Or, as Chip magazine suggests, are software exports sometimes a cover for converting black money to white? By SUCHETA DALAL

* * *

Pioneer
US treats India as pushover
Regardless of how the UPA Government in New Delhi actually perceives him, it is reassuring that the Ministry of External Affairs has made all the right noises in protesting against the US Administration's denial of a visa to Narendra Modi. The Gujarat Chief Minister may not be everyone's cup of tea, but, he is the democratically elected, constitutional functionary of a major Indian State. By SWAPAN DASGUPTA

* * *

India Together
Organic takes hold in Rajasthan
Large numbers of farmers have opted for a way of cultivation that does away with chemical pesticides, and most importantly, uses less water in a water-starved state. The dramatic results are nowhere more visible than in Rajasthan's Shekhawati belt, reports DEEPA A.

* * *

The Economist
A hawk to ruffle the World Bank's feathers
George Bush has nominated Paul Wolfowitz, one of the main architects of the Iraq war, to run the World Bank. Though this is normally America�s prerogative, Europeans and others may object to the candidacy of so hawkish a figure.

EDITORIAL PICKS

Nanavati report: Elusive justice (Tribune)
Energy: Search for substitutes (Tribune)
Justice Variava's disclosure (Tribune)
New Chinese law (Hindu)
UN: A gratuitous snub (Hindu)

OP-ED

What is India Exclusives

Special for Shivaratri
Perceptions of Shiva
in ancient India
Ancient Indian literature and iconography represent Shiva both as a malevolent and a benevolent god. Shiva is both giver and destroyer, explains ROHITHA EASWER

Time to stare
USHA KRIS introduces young readers to the joys of star gazing

The logic in having an N-missile
Pakistan has just test-fired another nuclear missile.
An analysis by
ERIC KOO PENG KUAN

Coorg for coffee?
USHA KRIS visits an estate-turned-resort, and is charmed by the sights and sounds of Karnataka's coffee district

Bihar a major pollution zone
The US, China and India
Why the scoffing at Hinduism?
PIL against seer: Court's ire
CIA task on Pak anti-terror drive
Nepal coup shows US hypocrisy
Indian style democracy in Iraq
Death from stampede avoidable
Tsunami: Tad Murthy speaks
India's Look East Policy
NRI donates $10 m for college
Resurgent violence in J&K
What does it mean to be a Hindu in India?
Indian Elections: Verdict 2004
Meritocracy in the private sector
War on the people
United protest in New York
Middle class devotee's appeal
Pillar of Hinduism
Nov 11 turned out like Sept 11
'Nobody is above the law'
'SP has no regard for law'
Temple: Perfect, stately and tall
US leaders oppose F-16 sale

ACADEMIC PAPERS

What is India Exclusives

Impact of Karnataka government advertisements
A study spread over several districts revealed a surprising variety in media taste and advertisement impact, says Dr B P MAHESH CHANDRA GURU

Training for careers
in journalism
India needs a national council of professionals to study the problems and prospects of media training, say Dr B P MAHESH CHANDRA GURU
and M S SAPNA

Media intervention in dairy development in Karnataka
Rural broadcasting is critical for dairy development. District radio stations and low power TV centres can play a significant role in encouraging proper dairying practices, write Dr B P MAHESH CHANDRA GURU
and E NARAYANAPPA

Journalism education:
A quality perspective
India brings out 45,000 newspapers, journals and periodicals in 105 languages and dialects. Yet journalism education is neglected, write Dr B P MAHESH CHANDRA GURU and MADHURA VEENA M L

Philosophy of
Bhaja Govindam
Hinduism: Universal religion
Health education in India

INSCRIPTIONS

ONLY ON WHAT IS INDIA

South Indian Inscriptions

Original texts from four states, transcribed from a definitive work published by the Archaeological Survey of India

Volume 8
Chola Inscriptions

Volume 10
Telugu Inscriptions
from Andhra Pradesh

Volume 12

Pallava Inscriptions

Volume 14

Pandya Inscriptions

Volume 16
Telugu Inscriptions
of the Vijayanagara Dynasty

Volume 17

Inscriptions Collected
During 1903-1904

Interesting links

Southern Asia Collection
at the University of
Chicago Library
Photographs, digital resources, exhibitions, bibliographies, links

US-India Friendship
Online resource for friends
of India