6
Well What I understand from the above post is that U wanna keep just the left and right columns on the index page and some custom stuff in the center.
Well if thats what u want then just follow these steps
1.Goto ur admin Panel >> Preferences >> module for ur start page >> Coose None
2.in admin panel goto Blocks >> List all blocks
U'll get all the neede options to view/hide blocks just remove the blocks u dont want on the index page or change their position.
Hope this is wat u needed.