March 25, 1998

Financial woes of independent filmmakers are exacerbated with collapse Media Network, nonprofit corporation holding money for their projects; collapse of Media Network is stalling projects and leaving feelings of betrayal in tightly knit independent-film world; photos of directors Bill Shebar, Claire Panke and Neal Goodwin (M)

R W Apple Jr surveys Indian restaurant scene in London; finds that, compared with past, when Indian restaurants offered mainly palate-searing spice, London has recently begun to offer much broader range of refined, subtle, complex cusisines; describes some favorite Indian places in London; photos (L)

Pres Clinton, speaking to thousand children in meadow near school in Mukono, Uganda, expresses regret for role of US in African slavery, as he reels off list of errors in American policy toward continent that includes turning to ruthless dictators as allies during cold war; Clinton has been under some pressure at home to issue formal apology for slavery, but he stops well short of such explicit statement; Clinton meets with Pres Yoweri K Museveni and praises his efforts to expand Uganda's economy and educate its people; map; photos (M)

Heads of entertainment divisions at each of four big broadcast networks held private, unpublicized meeting last week to discuss ways to curtail some of internecine sniping that many believe has helped damage image of network television and to present unified front against growing attempts by cable television industry to eat into advertising revenue controlled by networks; meeting was held on March 17 and was initiated by Don Ohlmeyer, president of NBC's West Coast division (L)

American palates are awakening to bold tastes of India, whose cuisine is being prepared with greater authority and flare than ever before in America; profiles of chefs Raji Jallepallli, of Restaurant Raji in Memphis, and Floyd Cardoz, of Tabla, in New York City; recipes; photos (M)