Punjab: Bitter battles
It was billed as the "Year of Development." But the year was occupied by development of different kinds. Politics dominated over all other things and as the year drew to a close, the bitter political rivalry left no absolute winners or losers. A festering unease, however, continued to prevail, notes
P. P. S. Gill.
CAPT. Amarinder Singh had declared 2003 as the "Year of Development" for Punjab. Indeed, it has been the year of development but of a different kind. You only had political developments; there was no socio-economic or agro-industrial progress to speak of.

• Trio in trouble
• Focus on Badal-centric corruption
• Reforms take a backseat

Low-key Mufti notches up gains in J & K
J&K: Hope gains over despair
Despite the inherent contradictions among coalition partners, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed not only managed to keep his flock together but also scored a few firsts for his trouble-torn state, says Ehsan Fazili.
GIVEN the inherent contradictions among coalition partners, the way Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed managed to keep the flock together is by itself the miracle of the year.

Benign Raja turns aggressive in fourth innings
Himachal Pradesh: Corruption, the issue
The year began on an aggressive note and ended in a similar vein. Virbhadra Singh first secured the state for his party and then took on his rivals, both within and outside the Congress. Corruption charges and dissidence characterised the year, says Rakesh Lohumi.
THE return of Virbhadra Singh as Chief Minister, natural calamities, vigilance inquiries and legal battles involving important politicians made 2003 an eventful year in the hill state.

Opposition disarray brings cheer to Chautala
Haryana: One-man show
Some tense moments with the Governor and a Supreme Court rap on the knuckles notwithstanding, Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala had a largely peaceful year. None of his rivals could give him sleepless nights, reports Yoginder Gupta.
THE year 2003, like the previous three years, did not see any meaningful political challenge to Om Prakash Chautala, who continued to rule Haryana with an iron fist.

Flashback ’03: Culture in command
The region reverberated with sounds of spiritual India
Aditi Tandon
THIS year has seen cultural revival for the North. Historical richness of the region has, in fact, never been as much in focus as it was this year, which saw concerted efforts towards heritage restoration in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. A series of festivals were organised in the region to link people with their past.