🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
- dhadakkamgarunion0
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The current rental crisis in India’s metro cities is nothing short of a silent financial emergency for the middle class. As this report shows, nearly 30% of one’s salary is now being consumed by house rent alone, and in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, the pressure is even more suffocating. Imagine shelling out ₹35,000 just for a modest living space in Mumbai—what remains for essentials, savings, or aspirations? This is not just a real estate issue; it is an economic time bomb that’s crushing the backbone of salaried citizens. Instead of wealth creation, the youth are stuck in a survival cycle—paying rent, running EMIs, and sacrificing dreams.
This alarming trend demands immediate policy attention. With inflation and stagnant salaries, there is no rent control or tax relief that truly benefits tenants. Urban housing must become more than just a playground for investors and builders. Cities need rent ceilings, government-subsidized rental homes for professionals, and strict regulation of yearly hikes. If 30% of income goes into rent, what remains to raise a family, invest in the future, or start a business? We must rethink urban planning—because right now, cities are turning into traps, not opportunities.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The decision by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to enter the retail fuel business is a brilliant strategic move that reflects administrative innovation and financial foresight. With over 250 depots across the state, leveraging these premises to sell petrol and diesel is not only an efficient use of government infrastructure but also a promising revenue model. As public transportation faces increasing operational costs, especially with fluctuating fuel prices, this diversification allows MSRTC to create a self-sustaining economic ecosystem that can fund and support its core transportation services without overburdening the public with fare hikes.
Moreover, this model of fuel retail at ST depots sets a precedent for other state enterprises to explore similar ventures, thereby transforming public institutions from mere service providers to active participants in commercial markets. With strategic partnerships from both the central and state governments, this initiative could reduce regional fuel price disparities, improve last-mile availability, and foster localized employment opportunities. It’s a classic example of "minimum infrastructure, maximum output"—a principle that should guide future public sector reforms across India. MSRTC's transformation into a fuel retailer is more than just a business move—it’s a blueprint for sustainable governance.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
Once again, America under Trump’s leadership has demonstrated a transactional and short-sighted approach to diplomacy. The abrupt imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods—especially at a time when India was already grappling with global inflation and supply chain disruptions—only highlights how Washington views strategic allies: as economic targets. Instead of engaging in meaningful bilateral dialogue or respecting the spirit of partnership, Trump prefers strong-arm tactics that hurt businesses on both sides. This isn’t economic strategy; it’s geopolitical bullying masked as trade policy.
Meanwhile, India's dignified response—by not caving into pressure and rejecting the F-35 fighter jet proposal—sends a clear message: our sovereignty is not for sale. While the U.S. continues to pamper Pakistan with softer tariff measures, India, a democratic partner, faces harsher treatment. This reveals the hypocrisy at play in America's foreign policy calculus. The Centre must now double down on its “Make in India” initiatives and deepen defense, trade, and technology ties with more reliable global partners. Let this tariff storm serve as a wake-up call: self-reliance is no longer a slogan; it’s a necessity.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The Opposition’s constant rhetoric about vote theft by the Election Commission has now crossed all boundaries of logic and responsibility. When Rahul Gandhi compares election irregularities to an “atomic bomb,” it reflects a complete breakdown of constructive political dialogue. Such exaggerated and alarmist claims not only demoralize voters but also cast a shadow on every constitutional institution. If leaders start discrediting every democratic process simply because they lose, then we are headed toward political anarchy, not accountability. Instead of preparing for the next election, the Opposition seems focused on finding excuses for past defeats.
While the Election Commission has firmly responded to these accusations and continues its cleansing of the voter list—like in Bihar where 65 lakh fake or duplicate names were removed—it also raises a vital point: electoral integrity is a shared responsibility. Rather than weaponizing data and crying foul after every poll, the Opposition should invest in on-ground organization, grassroots engagement, and a credible narrative. Democracy thrives on constructive criticism, not on theatrical disruption. A strong opposition is necessary, but a bitter, baseless one does more harm than good to India's democratic fabric.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
Banning OTT platforms like Ullu and Alt Balaji for their explicit content is merely a surface-level solution that ignores the deeper societal crisis we are facing. While it’s tempting for authorities to crack down on content that is deemed “vulgar,” such actions often end up being symbolic rather than transformational. The truth is, our youth—especially teens—are consuming this content not just out of curiosity but because of a vacuum in value-based education and open conversations about relationships, consent, and personal responsibility. Unless we address the root cause through widespread educational reforms, moral discourse, and parental involvement, we are only playing a cosmetic game.The issue isn’t with the existence of such platforms alone; it’s with the demand that fuels them. Banning apps won’t stop young minds from finding alternate, often worse, sources of titillation. The focus must be on nurturing a generation that can differentiate between entertainment and exploitation. Sex education, emotional literacy, and regulated storytelling with cultural sensitivity must be promoted instead of moral policing alone. It’s time we empower our youth with understanding—not just censorship. The battle is not just against apps; it’s against ignorance and societal silence.
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