KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT'S MOVE TO SET ASIDE 5% OF PARKS & GARDENS IN THE STATE FOR "OTHER PURPOSES' IS NOT A GOOD MOVE.

Environmental groups,urban planners & citizen activists have begun mobilising support against the govt's move to set aside upto  5% of parks & gardens to be used for other purposes.The state cabinet has approved a bill to amend the Karnataka Govt.parks(preservation) Act,1975 to this effect. A coalition of organisations & citizens have also written to the Chief Minister Shri.D.K.Shivakumar seeking withdrawal of the proposed amendment,mentioning that the parks cannot be treated as vacant land. Infact,parks & Gardens add beauty to the city & are lung spaces for our city called as "Garden City". Bengaluru has only 3000 acres of park space for 1.4 crore people,where as it should have 30,000 acres,as per national benchmarks.  In this context, the observations of Mr.A.N.Yellappa Reddy,Former Secretary,Department of Forests is very relevant & timely.He says," Once a general principle is introduced permitting portions of protected parks to be made available for infrastructure,what begins as an exception today can slowly become an administrative practice tomorrow".  While commercialisation of public parks & gardens  should NOT be allowed,may be government can think of building toilets &  children play area.

AMERICAN PARADOX-HOW AMERICA RULES THE WORLD WITH GROSS NATIONAL DEBT OF $40 TRILLION ?

Latest US Gross National Debt has reached a figure of $ 40 Trillion. Yet, the US Dollar remains the king among all currencies, and still the world keeps buying US Bonds.Because,there is a feeling that America cannot default, as it borrows in a currency it prints.Net interest consumes 15% of all Federal spending.  India has  a debt of Rs.200.53 lakh crores ($2174.6 billion approx.).India's Total Forex reserves amounts to $700.7 billion as on August,7, 2026(RBI Data) & ranks 4th in the world in Forex reserves just behind China,Japan & Switzerland..India can comfortably repay its foreign debt as India is set to grow at a minimum rate of 6% GDP  growth.The good News is ,India projected to have 10.8 crore affluent consumers by 2036,marginally surpassing China's 10.3 crores,according to the latest  findings by NielsenIQ and World Data Lab.The report also separately estimates that India has 64.9 crore "Core Consumers"in 2026, defined as people spending between $13 & $90 a day.Yet, India is not in top major foreign currencies when compared to  USdollar,Euro,Pound & Sterling,Japanese Yen,Chinese Renminbi,Canadian dollar & Switzerland Francs. 

US Dollar is the world's  primary reserve currency making about 57% of all allocated  global foreign exchange reserves tracked by IMF. The other currencies are Euro: 20% of global reserves,Japanese Yen: 5.8% of global reserves,British Pound (GBP) :4.4% of global reserves & Chinese Renminbi (RMB) : 2% of Global reserves. India is no where in the picture.

US has a population of 349.2 million & India has a population  of around 1.4 billion. Hence,India has a huge consuming market with a strong middle class.Infact, we need not depend on exports as internal consumption itself can take care of  products manufactured within the country. However, we promote exports to earn the Dollar & the government gives more incentives to promote exports. Hence, there is a feeling amongst the experts that the government should think of more out of box ideas to strengthen the rupee, reduce the imports except for Crude Oil,Gas & fertilizer and others which are most critical. The strength of the country is determined by how strong their currency is.Most of the  Indians go abroad to earn in Dollars /Euros & Dhirams so that they get more value in rupees, because the rupee is weak. Even currencies like Singapore dollar (Rs.74.59)&Malaysian Ringgit (Rs.23.19) are stronger than Indian Rupee.

Case for Rupee being for Global Reserve status: India has a large domestic market diversified production base and expanding trade links strengthen the case for greater INR usage.From Financial angle,macro economic stability & sustainable growth and the depth & liquidity of domestic financial markets  are critical  for any currency aspiring to be a Reserve status currency. Further, full capital account convertibility is associated with reserve currencies.India follows a calibrated & partial approach to capital account liberalisation.

LET US CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY - LET US RECALL THE SACRIFCES MADE BY OUR FOREFATHERS/ MOTHERS TO ACHIEVE THE FREEDOM WHICH WE CHERISH.

  We are entering 80th year since we got Independence . We will know how Important freedom is, only when  our freedom is taken away. Perhaps, We are the only country  in the world ruled by Moghuls & British for more than few centuries. Further, parts of our country were ruled by French,Portuguese & Dutch formed the Dutch East India Company for trading in India. We were invaded by Greeks/Macedonians,Kushans & Hunas/White Huns. 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE  DAY  - LET US CHERISH OUR FREEDOM,LET US REMEMBER OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS. 

LONGINES FRIEND OF THE BRAND SARA ALI KHAN INAUGURATES BRAND'S THIRD BOUTIQUE IN BENGALURU.

Swiss Watch Brand LONGINES established in Saint -Imier Switzerland in 1832 , opened its third boutique in Bengaluru at Phoenix Mall of Asia which was inaugurated by Ms.Sara Ali Khan friend of the brand.This season,LONGINES presents a curated selection of its latest succesful releases. From the refined elegance of Prima Luna to the versatility of Conquest,the seaside confidence of HydroConquest,and the exploratory spirit of the Longines Legend Diver,each timepiece is created to accompany you across bustling cities and calming beaches,in all its forms.

Speaking at the event Ms.Sara said," given the fact that this Longines third store in Bengaluru speaks volumes about the loyalty of its customers in this city.I hope this success story is replicated everywhere in India.She further added that"Longines quietly marks every moment with effortless joy & elegance-that's what makes it unique'.

Mirroring the brand's universe,the boutiques showcase the latest product range from the refined shapes of Prima Luna and Dolce Vita,to the sporty new Hydro Conquest and the watch making tradition of the Longines Master Collection and heritage timepieces.