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My column 21-08-2025

My column 21-08-2025 Shashank Purandare In my last article in a marathi column, I had written about online gaming. Now the government has tabled and approved a bill in parliament, banning these online portals, vindicating my position on this. Celebrities were making money by advertising these portals. Organizations like BCCI, always hungry for more money, are set to lose lot of money via cancellation of sponsorship by the likes of Dream XI and mycircleXI. But for the better of the masses, let us hope this prevents atleast few of our youths from losing money.

It is argued that the ban will not help and people will always find other ways of gambling, so the government, instead of banning these portals, should have more stringent regulations in place. I am not in a position to comment on that. But look at the SEBI approved Futures and Options scenario in stock markets. F&O is well regulated. Still 90% of retail investors are losing money.

The bill to disqualify politicians including the PM, CM, MPs etc. is also introduced. The opposition is crying wolf saying it is against their CMs etc. This implies two things. First, opposition is pretty confident that they are not coming back to power anytime soon. Secondly, it implies that many of their political leaders would lose their positions because of this.

This government is also trying to bring down the GST rates. But we have to wait and see as to what actually changes in the end.

Just as we were thinking that we are being spared by the monsoon fury this year, came the deluge. Ordinary people suffered as expected. Now the accusations would start by and against the government. Nothing ever changes in this country, only the sufferings are a constant.

Finally Putin has put Trump in his place. Indian government has shown that it will not be bullied by Trump. By advocating trade in their respective national currencies, Russia, China and India are trying to undercut Dollar dominance. Dollar is losing its shine and value. In any case Dollar is not backed by any physical entity like gold and USA prints it on its own will. USA economy might get into recesion if current Trump tantrums continue. The new emerging Russia-China-India axis is a threat to USA.

Russia is trying to prevent having NATO at its doorstep by using Ukrain as a buffer. It also wants to control its sea routes by annexing part of Ukrain. Europe is in a fix as USA has stopped its aid to Ukrain. Hence Europe has started augementing its own defense systems.

There is a possibility, hold your breath, that Britain might rejoin Europian Union!!!

Most of my writing is simply based on reading newspapers and occasional listening to news channels. These days, people have stopped reading newspapers and base their opinions on Youtube and facebook. Let me warn you that these people are biased and they have their own agendas to push. I also try to talk to young minds around me. Sometimes they serve me a with very correct and balanced perspective. Not everyone is into online gambling!!!!

Shashank Purandare 22/08/2025