Bharat Ratna for Lata, Bismillah Khan
New Delhi, March 21
At a colourful function today, President K.R. Narayanan decorated melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan with the nation’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.


Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee greets singer Lata Mangeshkar and musician Amjad Ali Khan after a ceremony in New Delhi on Wednesday. Lata Mangeshkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna by the President, Mr K.R. Narayanan. Amjad Ali Khan received the Padma Vishushan award. 
— Reuters photo


RSS for change in NDA leadership
New Delhi, March 21
Stung by the “Defencegate” expose the RSS, as the ideologue of the BJP, is increasingly veering round to the view that changing the leadership of the NDA government has assumed urgency.

PM non-committal on Mishra’s ouster
New Delhi, March 21
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is keeping the option of the resignation of his Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra open as a way out for resolving the present deadlock in Parliament.

George didn’t push Barak deal: Navy chief
New Delhi, March 21
Former Defence Minister George Fernandes had not pushed through the deal for Barak missiles to be deployed in warships as the Navy had made up its mind to induct the anti sea-skimming missiles after extensive trials, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar said today.

Govt dares Sonia for debate
Congress rejects offer
New Delhi, March 21
A day after Sonia Gandhi sought an exclusive slot on Doordarshan for the Congress to speak on Tehelka expose, the government challenged her to a one-to-one debate saying Prasar Bharati had agreed to allocate a suitable time slot for it.