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"JOY IS BLUE" as the Mail Today puts it, and all of us, like cartoonist Unny's rooster, in the Indian Express, perched atop the Mohali signpost, can sigh with relief and say "Phew"! India's win in the 'marquee semi-final' to quote the Hindu, against Pakistan, in the ICC Cricket World Cup, dominates the front pages of dailies, along with photographs of the men in blue, and reports of dinner and diplomacy between the leaders of the two countries. The wordy Times of India lead sums up all the action on the pitch--'Pak drop the cup with awful catching. India defend sub-par score with inspired bowling and fielding'. 
The Hindu charts the last stop in this thrilling sporting event--'India meets Sri Lanka in World Cup Final'.
A new term entering the diplomatic lexicon----'the spirit of Mohali'--born out of the meeting between the PMs Singh and Gilani, on the sidelines of the match, is referred to by both the Hindustan Times and the Times of India.
Gujarat, the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, banning Joseph Lelyveld's controversial book on him is widely reported in the papers. The Mahatma's great grandson Tushar Gandhi opposing the ban is reported in the Hindu, while the Hindustan Times carries an opinion piece by Gopal Krishna Gandhi, his grandson, questioning--Does Gandhi really need such protection?
Military rule ending in Myanmar is reported in the foreign pages.
Beauty may lie in the genes if the ravishing Elizabeth Taylor is an example. The science page of the Times of India reports that the actress had an extra set of eyelashes framing her violet eyes due to a genetic snafu!

TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS

Its the heady sub-continental mix of cricket, politics and diplomacy that's making headlines, and grabbing eyeballs, with stories and photographs in the papers this morning. Though the first Kiwi--Lanka semifinal of the ICC World Cup kicks off today,large news space is devoted to the " mother of all matches "--as a columnist calls it--the Indo-Pak fixture, scheduled for the day after, at Mohali. 'Cricket mania sweeps Chandigarh' reads the Tribune lead,while the Pioneer reveals the killing, scalpers are making, with Rs.2500 tickets bought for a lakh, and Rs.250 ones going for 50,000.Most of Corporate India is planning to wind up by 2.30 pm  in a bid to catch the match reports Business Line.Pakistan's Interior Minister, warning his country's players against match fixing causing a furor in Pakistan, is the lead in the Times of India.

Cricket diplomacy is a top story too."PM's to meet before match then dine at Raj Bhavan"says the Asian Age.The resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue is reported in all papers. 'Home Secretaries begin talks, go beyond 26/11' reads the Hindustan Times report. 

'A pink box that India would not give to FBI' is a top story in the Hindu, on US cables revealed by Wikileaks, stating that, India had been reluctant to share a crucial piece of evidence in the Mumbai attacks.

'Slush cash:SC raps govt. for narrow focus' is a Statesman report on govt's. concentration on Hasan Ali only in black money related cases.

Tigers registering an increase in population in India, and the world's first artificial leaf that can break down water for energy, is environmental news in the papers. 

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to visit Mohali to watch the forthcoming India-Pakistan Cricket World Cup semi-final match dominates the front pages in all the papers with most labelling it `cricket-diplomacy'.

The release of two reports by the V K Shunglu Committee probing irregularities in the Commonwealth Games is also prominently noticed on the front pages of most papers. Highlighting the roles of Delhi Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor, the Asian Age says "Shunglu indicts Sheila, LG : Opp. says quit". The Tribune says "Shunglu panel blames duo, others for Rs 1500 crore loss".

Another report that is widely noticed is that of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the management of defence estates. The Hindustan Times writes that the CAG has reported that the army is running 97 unauthorised golf courses spanning about 9000 acres across the country. The Tribune reports in its front page headline "Hotel, factory, wedding halls and golf courses come up on defence land".

Continuing with its reportage on the Wikileaks cables, the Hindu writes on its front page that BJP leader and presently Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley had told an American diplomat in May,2005 that Hindu nationalism was an opportunistic issue for the party.

With assembly elections round the corner in many states, the papers are keenly tracking politics in these states. Papers like the Times of India, The Indian Express and the Pioneer report that the Congress led UDF alliance in Kerala has promised rice at One rupees a kilo for BPL families. The Asian Age writes that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's son finds a place in the Congress' list of 65 candidates for West Bengal.

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In a country where cricket is religion, all newspapers lead with India's victory yesterday. 'Dhoni's men dethrone four time champion Australia' says the Hindu. Most dailies have a picture of Yuvraj Singh exulting after hitting the winning shot. The Times of India writes that Yuvraj has won 'man of the match' four times in a row. 'Pak next test of nerves for India' headlines the Hindustan Times. 'Life slows to a crawl during India-Australia showdown' writes the Indian Express, adding that 'for a change, nobody complained'.
The ongoing Jat agitation features in many papers. 'SC orders states to stop aiding Jats - ticks off  Mayawati and Hooda for not cracking down' writes the Times of India.'Ensure supply of essentials to Delhi, states told by the SC', says the Hindu.
A bill aimed at regulating pension funds makes front page news too. 'BJP comes to congress rescue over money bill' states Mail Today, while the Indian Express writes 'BJP saves government the blushes'.
'A very giving date for India Inc with Buffett and Gates’, is the headline in the Economic Times. 'Bill Gates and Buffett ask 70 rich Indians to give more' writes the Asian Age.
'Spinal Tuberculosis on the rise, 1.5 lakh Indians affected' warns the Indian Express, adding that the cause is 'urban lifestyle'.
In a surprising revelation, the Times of India says, that there are 500 dog bite case every day in Delhi, as the population of stray dogs in the city is increasing.
And finally, there's a new kind of snakes and ladders game. A ladder for offering a seat to the elderly and a snake bite for jumping collection fare gates! Well, the Delhi Metro is introducing this game to educate young metro commuters.

TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS

The stepped up air strikes on Libya by coalition forces dominates the front pages of most dailies. "Gaddafi's home hit, air strikes on" reports the Hindustan Times. The Indian Express writes "Gaddafi compound hit, US denies bid to kill him". The Asian Age and the Tribune cite opposition web sites and Arab media reports as saying that one of Muammar Gaddafi's sons, who was injured when a Libyan Air force pilot deliberately crashed his jet into Gaddafi's residential compound, has died. Hinting at cracks within the alliance against Libya, the Times of India writes "Civilian Deaths worry Arab, African blocs".

The Congress-Trinamool Congress seat sharing agreement for the assembly polls in Bengal is widely noticed with most papers suggesting that the TMC has had the upper hand. The Pioneer writes "Congress eats humble pie in Bengal". In a similar vein the Hindu says "Trinamool takes the lion's share".

While most papers report that the Supreme Court has extended Pune businessman Hassan Ali's remand by three days, the Mail Today, in a front page exclusive, writes that Hasan Ali has confessed to investigators how he routed money for three former Maharashtra Chief ministers through hawala into the stock markets.

In a special story on the dearth of firing ranges for the Indian Army because of growing urbanization and environmental concerns, the Times of India reports that the Army is just left with 40 operational field firing ranges of the 104 ranges it once had.

Bureaucratic culture in the country is set to change. The Hindustan Times and the Indian Express write that the government has made it mandatory for all departments to install biometric access control system to qualify for performance-linked incentives.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Most national dailies have skipped today's edition in Delhi, owing to the Holi festival yesterday. 
Amongst the newspapers that are available, news related to Libya has been prominently displayed on the front pages.  "Gaddafi vows to take fight into Europe" reads the headline in The Hindu.  The Statesman has quoted Gaddafi as saying "We will die as martyrs".  The paper also reports that India, China and Russia have regretted the air strikes on Libya.  The Indian External Affairs Ministry has expressed hope that the air strikes would not lead to greater harm to innocent civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic missions, reports The Statesman.
A Wikileaks expose of a US Embassy cable of 2008 has revealed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had rejected requests either to visit Tehran or for Iranian President, Ahmedinejad to visit India, keeping in mind the civil nuclear agreement with the United States.  This story appears on the front page of The Hindu. 
The MDMK has decided to quit the AIADMK alliance and boycott the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, due to the treatment meted out to the party during the seat-sharing talks, reports The Hindu.  AIADMK general-secretary, Jayalalitha, has stated that she's "saddened by MDMK's decision, writes the paper.
And finally, this morning the sun crossed the plane of the earth's equator, making day and night approximately of the same duration.  The event, known as Equinox, takes place only twice a year - on March 21 and September 23, writes The Hindu.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The Prime Minister stoutly denying the 'Cash for Votes' Wikileaks charge, finds prominence on the front pages. "Charges speculative, unverifiable, says Prime Minister", writes the Hindustan Times. "PM rejects bribe charge, cites 2009 election success", is a headline in the Financial Express.
"A Royal  Bengal snub to Congress", writes the Mail Today as the Trinamool Congress running out of patience, released the party's list of candidates for the West Bengal Assembly polls.
The Statesman writes "CPM's U-Turn, VS Achutanandan bags ticket". As the 87-year old stalwart's supporters held angry demonstrations across Kerala, the party reversed its earlier decision, in the same manner as it did in 2006.
Even as Japanese engineers hope to solve the Fukushima nuclear crisis by first trying to restart the water pumps for cooling overheated fuel rods, the Times of India writes that Japanese authorities conceded that burying the sprawling 40 year old plant in sand and concrete (the method used in Chernobyl) may be the last resort.
The Asian Age carries an article from the New York Times - ''Rethinking a nuclear future", adding that accidents like the disaster in Japan can kill enthusiasm for nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. Major industrialised nations are suddenly thinking twice about nuclear expansion, though nations like India and China, while acknowledging the need for safety - say their unmet energy needs give them little choice but to continue investing in nuclear power.
And finally, the Indian Express writes that for several months now, Punjab Government schools have not received money for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. So teachers have been spending from their own pocket or buying ration on credit to feed the children.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The cash- for- votes scam returning to Parliament on Thursday to marr proceedings in both Houses of Parliament is the lead story in most papers.  "Shock after shock" Wiki Nukes hit government on cash for votes", writes the Times of India; the Tribune opines "Cong. goes on offensive as Oppn. seeks PM's ouster", while the Mail Today says "WikiLeaks dent UPA, but won't sink it".
The situation in Japan post the Tsunami continues to be covered by papers on their front pages.  "Water bombing fails to cool reactors", says the Hindustan Times, adding "panic spreads- countries step up evacuation",  while the Mail Today reports pictorially "Tears and Prayers, as Japan endures unbearable pain of loss".
"Hasan Ali's free run cut short" says the Hindustan Times, writing that the Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the bail Hasan Ali Khan had never applied for and ordered his remand to the Enforcement Directorate; while the Times of India says "SC raps lower Court, cancels Hasan Ali's bail".
Most papers write of the ghastly incident of a violent mob burning alive a police officer in Surwal village near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan.  The mob was demanding immediate arrest of the killers of a woman.
And finally, as the Summer season is well on its way, the Times of India cautions "Swimming for long hours in the pool can lead to Cancer", and goes on to say  that absorbing chlorinated water is a major health risk.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The snowballing catastrophe in Japan continues to dominate the front pages.  "Fearing the worst, countries and companies begun evacuation" - headlines the Times of India - adding that France is the first country to sound the alarm.  "Thousands flee the shadow of nuclear devastation" - reports the Mail Today.  The Hindu writes that over 300 Indians, primarily from Tokyo returned to India, late yesterday evening.
The Indian Express, quoting top officials of India's atomic energy establishment, writes that the crisis in Japan need not be an occasion for panic or alarm.  Rather, it ought to be a trigger for further safety enhancements at all nuclear power stations. 
The Asian Age writes that the CPI(M) leadership has acted decisively against Kerala Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan, denying him a party nomination in the crucial Assembly polls in the state. The Times of India says that the decision to keep the party's most popular face out, shows that the Communists have not been able to settle in - house squabbles.
And finally,  HT Business informs us that companies and industrial houses may soon be required to present elaborate  audit reports for their 'corporate social responsibility' and 'environment linked activities'.  Their New Mantra : Turn Green, Turn Ethical. 

TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS
The growing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Tsunami-hit Japan dominates the front pages. "Japan battling chain reaction: Third reactor faces meltdown, 80,000 evacuated, 2000 more bodies found" reports the Hindustan Times. The Indian Express writes that the Indian nuclear establishment has reassured the nation that all its 20 nuclear power plants are earthquake and tsunami proof.

Action by the Indian Navy against Somali pirates is anothe rhighlight on the front pages of many newspapers. "Navy snares 61 Somali pirates, frees 13 sailors" is the front page lead in the Pioneer. The Hinudstan Times reports "Navy nabs 61 Somali pirates, foils hijack bid off west coast".

The uproar in Parliament over Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's role in an alleged shop allotment scam in Chandigarh is widely noticed. "Pandemonium as BJP raises charges against Bansal" reports the Hindu. The Asian Age writes that the BJP got isolated in the Lok Sabha on this issue as neither its NDA allies nor any other opposition party backed it on this issue.

The rape and murder of a 24 year old Indian girl in Australia and the Supreme Court giving the Centre 4 weeks to decide on a CBI probe into financial irregularities in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme are the other stories that are prominently noticed in the papers today.