COLUMNS
The issue is raw power
'Few combatants in the privatisation debate speak out of a sense of conviction based on any knowledge of economics. They are taking rival positions out of self-interest and someone else's goading,' says Praful Bidwai.

Blowing hot & cold over Balmer Lawrie sale
To convey the impression that he is not against privatisation of PSUs per se, Ram Naik may agree to the sell-off of Balmer Lawrie.

TOP HEADLINES
• 'DPC power purchase decision on Oct 16'
• Sebi urged to stay L&T open offer
• Grasim seen tightening grip on Larsen
• Major markets closed on Tuesday
• Govt to announce gas policy in 2 months
• India's GDP to be hit by global warming
• FIIs net sellers in equities at Rs 419.6 crore
• Tug-of war over EPF drags on
• Dr Reddy to appeal Prilosec ruling
- - More I The Divestment Development

INTERVIEW
'Cement prices will improve soon'
Non-serious, smaller players are to be blamed for the sliding prices, says Anil Singhvi, MD, Gujarat Ambuja.

CORPORATE HEADLINES
• Syngenta H1 results on October 24
• GTL H1 results on October 25, 2002
• CMC Q2 results on October 23
• Morepen Lab Q2 net up by 25.84%
• Godrej Consumer mulls fresh buyback
• Bank of Baroda Q2 results on Oct 28
- - More

MARKET REPORT
Techs, L&T help Sensex to gain 8 points
Mixed trend in share prices. Buying in select old and new economy stocks. L&T up 5%. HPCL down.

SPECIAL
Reforms: One step forward, two steps back
The reforms process in India has only flattered to deceive as the Vajpayee government completes its third year...

The five-year growth chase
Stress needs to be laid on progress in the Tenth Plan rather than on growth rate figures, says Subir Gokarn.

DAILY TECHNICALS
Trading strategy for October 16, 2002
Sensex, HCL Tech, NIIT, Rolta, ONGC... Check out what you can do on Wednesday.

PERSONAL FINANCE
Sizing up a stock
Stock valuation concepts are considered esoteric by the layman dabbling in the market, but here are some concepts from A N Shanbag that are useful if you want a head start.

READERS' RESPONSE
'Mr Fernandes must keep his views to himself'
'Every day lost in debate is a huge loss of valuable FDI and people's wealth in the stock markets.' Message Board: Should we sell PSUs?

STOCK TALK
'I am cautiously optimistic about PSUs'
'Currently, there is a huge opportunity in IT-enabled and BPO stocks. Maybe biotech in future,' says Ramesh Shrichand Damani.

PRESS RELEASES
• BPL Mobile unveils India's first MMS
• Indian Rayon gets Deming Award
• 'Sunsilk Beautiful Brides' gets good response
• More...