COVER STORY
Bull's Eye
As Presidential elections near, it's puzzling why so much attention is paid to a post which, through distorted perception, has been reduced to an empty ceremonial husk...
Outlook Magazine - 9 April 2007
Shakira
The pop diva on her first trip to India held Mumbai captive with her swaying hips, bronze body, unruly mane and Latino pop
The StenchOf Cruel Neglect
How much more shameful can it get when two seven-year-olds have to lose their lives because they didn't have a toilet to go to?
A Village's Watershed Moment
Groundwater level rose 27 per cent, yields went up, farmers could grow post-rabi and post-kharif crops, earnings quadrupled.
Road To Hell? No, Not Even That...
Just 15 km from the Punjab CM's house in Chandigarh is Masol, a village which has no roads, no electricity and inadequate drinking water.
The Three Curses?
Education, healthcare, infrastructure...barring stray NGO efforts, the poor in India seem condemned to inhuman existence
It's Still A Wild Card
Paid Rs 23,980 for stationery costs but found crucial portions of the documents had been withheld
'If Files Are Lost, Action Will Be Taken'
The Central Information Commissioner says there are teething troubles but RTI Act will be implemented in its right spirit.
Shakira
The pop diva on her first trip to India held Mumbai captive with her swaying hips, bronze body, unruly mane and Latino pop
The Weight Of Wings
We need a revamp -- to create free thinkers, not compulsive learners
The Invisible Cities
Towns should have power to levy taxes, raise money from markets
The StenchOf Cruel Neglect
How much more shameful can it get when two seven-year-olds have to lose their lives because they didn't have a toilet to go to?
A Village's Watershed Moment
Groundwater level rose 27 per cent, yields went up, farmers could grow post-rabi and post-kharif crops, earnings quadrupled.
Road To Hell? No, Not Even That...
Just 15 km from the Punjab CM's house in Chandigarh is Masol, a village which has no roads, no electricity and inadequate drinking water.
The Three Curses?
Education, healthcare, infrastructure...barring stray NGO efforts, the poor in India seem condemned to inhuman existence
It's Still A Wild Card
Paid Rs 23,980 for stationery costs but found crucial portions of the documents had been withheld
'If Files Are Lost, Action Will Be Taken'
The Central Information Commissioner says there are teething troubles but RTI Act will be implemented in its right spirit.
OTHER OUTLOOK MAGAZINE STORIES
Tell Me Why, How, When
The Right of Information Act is a deadly weapon in people's hands. But there are too many stumbling blocks even now.
Namastey London
Another potent packaging of pop patriotism, romance and traditional Indian values with big helpings of rustic humour and smart one-liners
Little Miss Sunshine
Amazingly winsome portrayal of loony family values redefines feelgood cinema.
The Grameen Experience
Rural microcredit should be linked with the company's core business
Our Projectile Forces
Creation of urban amenities in rural areas would lead to prosperity
A Rural Dream?
AP has managed to notch up only 28.1 wage days per family per year as an average -- and this is meant to be a model state! But the question still is: will the scheme last?
Too Late, Too Little
The fortnightly cheque payments, though well-intended, work against the interests of people.
A Blank Ration Card
It's public knowledge that PDS rice, wheat, sugar and superior kerosene oil is sold openly, food grain is distributed only on paper, and false transportation bills are cleared by authorities
A Ten Foot Trench, Rs 14.50
Despite robust economic growth, jobs are hard to come by. The rural employment guarantee scheme is mired in problems.
The Black Buck Stops Here
Villagers form the vanguard in revitalising India's natural resources
These 'F' Words Are No Abuse
Functions, functionaries and finances have been devolved to the panchayats in letter and spirit in Sikkim
Scent Of A Woman
Being a divorcee and a Muslim woman is no hindrance to discharge of public power
Puppet On A Caste Chain
"The vice-president and clerk oppose everything I suggest. When I complained to the BDO, he asked me to not to create problems."
The Best PR Exercise
Where it's allowed to, Panchayati Raj is governing better than the Centre or states
'We Are Marginal In The Political Set-Up'
"What we've got in three years is a brotherhood of ministers! There's lots to do, and we need support," says the minister for panchayati raj.
Paralysis By Analysis
India must become 'more democratic' to overcome its deficiencies
A Pair Of Bi-Focals
Markets must flourish, but the masses can't be left behind
'Community Participation Is Critical'
The minister of state for commerce and industry says, "You cannot be a panchayati raj fundamentalist. It could be one of the answers, and not the only one."
Memories Of A Welfare State
Three years on, the UPA's 'aam admi' promises are coming unstuck, caught between faltering welfare schemes and a full-steam development agenda
Let The Cream Percolate
Growth gains meaning only with more jobs, less leakage of funds
A Slip On The Peel
India can win the Cup only in India
The Fog Lightens
Various strands in Woolmer's murder probe point to the role of match-fixers
"On Moral Grounds, Sharad Pawar Should Resign"
The former India captain and manager says the focus of board officials on filling the BCCI's coffers has only contributed to the problems dogging Indian cricket.
High Stakes Bring In The Hyenas
A CBI internal report in 2003 had warned the government, BCCI on the underworld making inroads. They ignored it.
A 22-Yard Gash
The knives are out, Team India at its nadir. What can a ex-players' brains trust suggest for the future?
Deliverance From Deprivation
Reforms have to chase expenses to see if they are producing results
Cats Are The New Dogs
Independent and fashionable. The Cheshire cat can barely wipe his grin.
Damned Statistics
The socio-economic indices, the unemployed, the horrendous female foeticide, the per-capita income, the pathetic rural electricity figures...
Sun Kiss Again
There's a new vim in the BJP, and it's thanking the Congress
Voices From India's Poorest District: Bolangir
Ironically, more than half of those surveyed in this perpetually cursed, drought-prone district think the government is doing enough to improve their lives.
Elephant MustRemember
Growth story, yes, but there are over 300 million yet to see it
Link The Dots, Get A Picture
A new claim pops up against the Scorpene scam accused. Will the CBI follow it up?
