Cover Story
Nepal: State of flux
by Rita Manchanda
Interview: Chakra Prasad Banstola
Trapped in tradition
Monarchy vs 'democracy'
by Aijaz Ahmad
Uneasy neighbours
by John Cherian
Feeding on popular despair
by Kalyan Chaudhuri
Battling cross-currents
by Aravinda R. Deo
A society on test
by C.K. Lal

Politics
The People's Front's programme

Jammu & Kashmir
A thaw and many threats

The States
Nagaland: Ceasefire and protests
Jayalalitha, Strong Leader
Punjab: An invitation to militancy
The Bhindranwale enigma
Jharkhand on the boil
M.P.'s forests and the tribal people
Srikrishna Commission: Probe and proceedings
Dabhol dilemmas

World Affairs
Sri Lanka - Solheim's role
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Iran: Second term for Khatami
Gunning for Milosevic
Troubled times in Ethiopia
A socio-political profile
Russia and nuclear waste
by Biswajit Choudhury
A record win for Labour
Towards peace in Congo
NMD: On a slippery slope

Defence
IAF accidents and training

Reports
Idukki's index of achievement

Follow-up
For weavers in A.P.

Labour Issues
Mining: blood on coal -
by Stirling Smith

Pharmaceutical Industry
For affordable medicines

Power Sector
Lessons from California
by Amulya K.N. Reddy

Water Supply
Corporatisation in Bangalore
Chennai's agony

Commissions of Inquiry
Nanavati panel and delays

Medical Education
Mixing medical systems

Analysis
BJP in panic: by A.G. Noorani

Comment
A Governor and her role
by Era Sezhiyan

Special Feature: Shelters in Chennai
Vertical growth
CMDA and infrastructure
New techniques and technologies

Newsmaker
Youngest Everest climber
by Ramyata Limbu

Tennis
India's double delight

Column
Praful Bidwai: The limits of the 'Third Way'
Jayati Ghosh: The U.S. slowdown and India
C.P. Chandrasekhar: Of Air-India and VSNL

Books
Promises to keep
review by C.T. Kurien
Of revisionist history
review by A.G. Noorani
Medievalism defined
review by K.M. Shrimali
Of model minorities and racism
review by M.V. Ramana