Monu Nalapat is currently contributing editor of The Times of India. He has served the Old Lady of Bori Bunder as resident editor of its Bangalore and Delhi editions, and has been its political editor as well. Monu will write a fortnightly column for Rediff On The NeT.

• Preserve the values of our Indic civilisation
'There is a widespread belief that ISI agents invariably belong to the Muslim community. But information from relevant agencies indicates that many are Hindus belonging to fanatic organisations that seek to introduce a Taliban-style society in India,' says Monu Nalapat.

• What counts, India or ties to a family?
'The nation will not forgive another betrayal by the tired old men who rule over its destinies. This will come when Clinton insinuates his country into the Kashmir cauldron, thanks to the surprising welcome this enemy of Indian interests is being given by a government that talked of "zero tolerance" to the same terrorism to which it succumbed at Kandahar.'

• Brajesh and Jassu repeat their Kargil triumph!
'Uncle says there will be an enquiry into the "entire" hijack episode. Who will conduct the interview? Brajesh and Jassu. Whom will they investigate? Brajesh and Jassu. Certainly a unique definition of accountability.'

• To Become Global, Act Global
'Like them or hate them, the Nehru-Krishna Menon team had a clear foreign policy and followed it. Today, 'strategy' is in preparing the menus for state banquets, and in worrying about what dress to wear in the 47th meeting with 'my dear friend Strobe.'

• Nationalism 'Sonia-Vajpayee-Atal-Maino' style
'It takes a slave's mind and vision to actually feel honoured that a junior officer is deigning to meet with the external affairs minister of the world's largest democracy, or that Karl Inderfurth (who has the status of a joint secretary) spent time with India's Principal Secretary to the PM-cum-National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, who went scurrying off to the US just after the polls.'

• Below 150, Sonia finis. Below 200, Vajpayee falls again
'In case the charms of Sonia-Rahul-Priyanka do not work, and the Congress tally falls significantly below 150, the worst-affected will be the BJP. A weakened Congress will be instantly more attractive to the converts from secularism now within the BJP fold.'

• The soldiers have won the war; will the politicians lose the peace?
'Any reticence on New Delhi's part to respond vigorously to the Pakistan-sponsored insurgency will lead to an expansion. Only hitting at the roots can snuff out the disease.'

• No business as usual, please
'In less than a decade, Pakistan can be expected to become a country of unbearable internal strife, till the Sindhis, Shias, Baluchis, Pathans, Quadianis and Seraikis are given the same right as the Sunni Punjabi ruling class. Only after this shift takes place can India relax her guard and permit such measures as open borders.'

• Punish the guilty of Kargil
'It is sad to see Vajpayee putting personal friendship above national need by refusing to remove an individual who has exposed his incompetence through Kargil.'

• Follow a Pro-active strategy, Atalji
'Pakistan must not be allowed to escape for much longer, just because it has a set of friends in Blair-Clinton and the drugs lobby in the PLA. India has a Monroe Doctrine. South Asia is our turf, and we will solve problems our own way, without interference.'

• Pakistan: The End Of Innocence
'It was not at Lahore that the recent incursions were planned. It was after Lahore, after the dilution of India's stand by a prime minister anxious perhaps to be the second Indian premier to win the Nishan-e-Pakistan,' says Monu Nalapat.

• India First
• Congress: Dreamland or reality
• If Vajpayee prepares to leave in a blaze of glory, he may yet stay
• Vajpayee's 'friendly' enemies
• Prime Minister Sonia?