Tuesday 19 December 2023

Has Russia Won the Battle But Lost the War?

Russian bear has been on edge for some time, questioning NATO's need to poke Russia in the eye. The endless conflict in Ukraine, with constant Western assistance to extend the war and undermine Russia at the expense of Ukrainian lives and damage. The further the battle lasts, the more death and damage there will be.

Has Russia Won the Battle But Lost the War?

If you listen carefully to Russian President Putin's comments, one thing becomes clear: he never desired a conflict with the West. Forget about direct confrontation; Russia's President has made it clear that conflict, even on a minor scale, is out of the question, and all he wants from Western countries (read NATO) is for them to leave Russia alone. He was not in the mindset or position to oppose the united economic, political, and military might.

According to his interviews, Russia presented no threat to the United States, but rather the opposite. The United States is still attempting to limit Russia's might and confine it on its own border. 

Russia has already lost political and economic capital as a result of its disintegration; what it did in Ukraine was to rescue its honour; otherwise, Russia would be balkanized. The United States and its allies were hellbent on eradicating Russian influence, but despite their best efforts, the stage is getting tough for the American war machine to win all fights. Since its rash choice to strike Saddam Hussein's Iraq, it has repeatedly tasted defeat and lost face. 

The West is gradually losing its enthusiasm for fighting wars, and the Taliban's incredible success in Afghanistan appears to be a new reminder of the United States' inevitable demise. We are addressing a time when China, despite its inherent flaws, is slowly but steadily catching up with the United States on all development metrics, and some argue has already left it behind in many areas.

The problem with the US is the ego battle with Russia, and I believe the conclusion of the Syrian war, in which Russia effectively gained a foothold while the US lost all of its friends, was the tipping point. I believe Putin made the error of celebrating his achievement too soon and too loudly, which rubbed the US ego the wrong way, resulting in the Ukraine-Russia confrontation. Russia must learn from China's method of quietly building strength while remaining amicable even with foes.

Everyone in this situation has something to learn. The West, which is mired in its own turmoil of multiculturalism and human rights lobbies, is fighting and losing a separate battle. If things continue in this direction, civil war is on the horizon, with no clear moral winner.

Thursday 16 November 2023

Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story

The book Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story draws on ground reports of street violence in North East Delhi between February 23 and February 26, 2020, which acquired the shape of communal rioting.

Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story

Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story" is a non-fiction book written by Monika Arora, Sonali Chitalkar, and Prerna Malhotra. The book delves behind the scenes to gather proof and tell the true story of people who survived the ensuing chaos.

Riots have tarnished India's worldwide standing once more. The urban Naxals and Islamic radical organizations have tried a new formula this time, learning from their past experiences. While the Indian populace remained mainly unconcerned, the Hindu majority was subjected to a barrage of criticism from many sectors in the international press. 

As always, perpetrators were provided cover fire, while victims were portrayed as aggressors during the riots. However, as the inquiry advanced, it became clear that the violence had been planned beforehand and had the tacit backing of left-wing people and radical Islamic organizations. 
The sinister strategy was discovered as the inquiry advanced. It revealed that the plot to orchestrate violence had been ongoing for some time, with the flashpoint being the visit of the US President to blame the Indian government and create a false narrative of Muslims being attacked in India. A lot of groundwork was done for this by hired editors and so-called journalists in Indian and worldwide media, with funding from Soros and related NGOs. 

The book explores further the social, economic, and political causes that fueled the riots. The necessity of understanding the historical backdrop of the riots and the subsequent cultural dynamics is emphasized throughout the book. 

In an era of unrelenting Muslim appeasement, when phrases like Islamophobia have become commonplace, this book shines light on worrying societal developments and their implications for Indian society's future. This is the moment when the book becomes revolutionary. It is a well-researched, fact-finding, and unbiased account of the events that led to the mayhem that we all experienced. 

The book reveals how determined Muslim extremists are and how far they will go to destroy India's brand. The urban rioters' well-oiled tactics and competence in engineering such large-scale disturbances on such short notice is an unequivocal warning to the country's security apparatus. This is a solid message to the security establishment to take this unholy alliance's menace seriously in order to prevent it from ripping the societal fabric apart. The author has supported the content with several field reports, lending legitimacy and authenticity to the work. 

The heartbreaking stories of young, innocent, brilliant individuals losing their precious lives as a result of hateful campaigns were the most challenging aspects for me. I sincerely recommend this book to everyone who has yet to comprehend the causes and conditions behind the Delhi riots, so go ahead and read it. 

Image Courtesy: Google

Tuesday 14 November 2023

Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny - Movie Review

Before hanging his boots, Indiana seems to be on his last quest to make magic, as he usually does, and to discover something unthinkable from the jaws of death and defeat. 

Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny

Expect The Unexpected

The movie review here will be a little different from what you've come to expect from my prior work. Perhaps it is my approach of communicating with you and sharing my thoughts. So brace yourselves.
The first thing I realised after watching the film was that my hero had been defeated. No, it wasn't his favourite villain-Nazis who got him; it was his age. Our hero Indy has aged, not that he has acknowledged it as his true self, who will fight until the last trick and always wins, but, come on, it is apparent. Everything you remember from earlier films is missing: the punch, the wit, the charishma. And, despite your best attempts to enjoy the film, you must concede to the inevitable.

Why So Serious?

The film seems to be a farewell episode for all the fantastic things we've come to associate with Indana Jones, until a new team with gadgets and passion arrives. However, the former allure of an exciting adventure will not return. It is gone, and we must prepare to let go of our old flame. But again, it's only a movie, and all of the male action heroes we grew up with are on their way out, and the new ones are either too plastic or not to my liking. They appear to be overly artificial and unreal. However, the universe itself is in a different state these days. 
 
Ok, have said enough, let us get back to reviewing the movie for which we all came for… Isn’t it? 
The film is packed with traditional Indiana Jones action and terrific entertaining chase moments that we've come to expect from the Indiana franchise. The story line tells us of ancient unfinished stories that have regained momentum as if their time has come. Here, too, the adventure is for the missing artefact and the race to find it first. That may sound monotonous, but we're all used to chase sequences.

The only difference here is that the gun violence related action appeared to be a little more intense. Several key characters, including Renaldo (Antonio Banderas) and Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), have said their final goodbyes and gone, leaving you with a melancholy feeling. 

And The Plot Is…

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY begins with a scene set at the end of WWII, with Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his buddy Basil (Toby Jones) attempting to save an ancient religious artefact from the Nazis. Instead, they discover half of Archimedes' Antikythera mechanism, a mechanical device supposed to bestow unfathomable power on whoever has and masters it. Indy gets into a fight with the evil Nazi scientist Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), but he and Basil escape with the dial. 
Years later, in 1969, Dr. Jones has just retired from teaching, as the US lands on the moon in the backdrop. This was a time when people were more interested in the future and had little appetite in ancient legends. However, things became interesting when he is visited by Basil's daughter, Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), who is desperate to get her hands on the dial. But why is this so? Indy soon becomes engrossed in a thrilling journey to seek the relic as the truth unfolds.

The Final Verdict

Despite shortcomings in many new performers' acting abilities and the story's flow, the film is a one-time wonder that you may enjoy viewing. This picture will be remembered for Harrison Ford's terrific performance, the cutting-edge spectacular effects, and the plot, which is still better than a lot of alien nonsense. So, watch it and let me know what you think. 


Image Courtesy: Google

Sunday 24 September 2023

It is found that celebrity endorsement, that is, using attractive, trustworthy, and familiar celebrities to advertise online gambling applications, has a statistically significant impact on young people's propensity to gamble.

 The Shameless Promotion of Gambling by Celebrities

In today's world, celebrities will do just about anything for a buck. They have become shamelessly shameless, from endorsing questionable products to promoting dubious causes. But perhaps one of the most alarming trends in celebrity culture is the shameless promotion of gambling. Yes, you read that right - gambling! It seems that the rich and famous are not content with their fortune and fame; they also want to tempt Lady Luck. But let's take a closer look at this recipe for disaster. 

How Online Gambling Has Become Fashionable Today

In today's digital age, online gambling has become all the rage. Gone are the days of travelling to a casino to try your luck. Now, with just a few clicks, you can access a world of temptation right from your home.
 
From poker tournaments to online slot machines, youngsters are tempted to join the fun. However, they fail to recognize the dark side of online gambling - the addictive nature, the hidden costs, and the potential for financial ruin. As per one report by thelancet, gambling has become a public health issue in different parts of the world.

Gambling - A Recipe For Disaster

Gambling is like baking a souffle - one wrong move, and everything comes crashing down. And who better to lead us down this treacherous path than our beloved celebrities? They make it seem glamorous and exciting but don't be fooled. Behind the glitz and glamour lies a dark and dangerous world that can lead to financial ruin and emotional despair.
 
But why are celebrities drawn to gambling like moths to a flame? Is it the thrill of risking it all? Is it the adrenaline rush of winning big? Or is it simply a desperate cry for attention? Perhaps it's a bit of all three. Whatever the reasons may be, the consequences can be dire. 

Frightening Trends Of Gambling in India

If there's one country that knows how to take gambling to a whole new level, it's India. From online poker tournaments to betting on cricket matches, the increasing participation of people in online gambling in India is frightening. And who better to lead the charge than our beloved Bollywood celebrities? They dance, they sing, and now they gamble too! But what's truly frightening is the influence they have over the masses. Their shameless gambling promotion has normalized it in society, making it seem like just another harmless pastime.

Hence, it is no surprise that India's Online Sports Betting market is projected to reach US$1.70bn in 2023. It shows an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 9.79%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$2.47bn by 2027.

How Shameless Can Celebrities Be?

When you think celebrities couldn't sink any lower, they surprise us again. From reality TV stars to A-list actors, they shamelessly promote tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and now online gambling. They plaster their faces on billboards, appear in flashy commercials, and entice novices to join the mobile apps. It's as if they have completely lost touch with reality. But hey, who needs morals when there's money to be made, right?

Examining the Effects of Celebrity Gambling Ads on the Public

It's no secret that celebrities hold a tremendous amount of influence over the public. Whether it's their fashion choices, political views, or favourite food, we tend to follow their lead. So, it should come as no surprise that celebrity gambling ads profoundly affect the public's perception of gambling. As per one report, the influence of celebrities on young minds is enormous. 
 
These ads make it seem like gambling is glamorous, exciting, and full of opportunity. They create an illusion that anyone can strike it rich with just one spin of the wheel or one roll of the dice. 
 

Interestingly, Social media has become a breeding ground for the normalization of gambling in pop culture. From celebrities sharing their big wins to influencers promoting betting apps, it's hard to escape the constant stream of gambling-related content. 
 
With impressionable minds and a desire for validation, young people are more susceptible to the allure of gambling than ever before. It's time we put an end to this normalization and start promoting healthier forms of entertainment.  

Examining the Impact of Celebrity Endorsement on Gambling 

Celebrity endorsement has always been a powerful marketing tool. From perfumes to clothing lines, celebrities can influence our purchasing decisions. But when it comes to gambling, their impact goes far beyond a simple purchase. 
 
When a celebrity endorses a gambling brand, they are not just promoting a product; they are promoting a lifestyle. And for their fans, that lifestyle becomes aspirational. They want to be like their favourite celebrity - rich, famous, and lucky. But the reality is that only some people will win big. They will lose big. 

Is Government Blind?

With all this shameless gambling promotion happening right before our eyes, one can't help but wonder - is the government blind? Are they ignoring the emerging social catastrophe in exchange for tax revenue? It certainly seems that way. 
 
The government is allowing celebrities to lure people into a dangerous game. It's as if they say, "Go ahead, gamble your life away. Just make sure you pay your taxes." It's a sad state of affairs. 

Money makes the world go round, and celebrities are no exception. The allure of accessible cash is hard to resist. The shameless promotion of gambling by celebrities is a dangerous trend that needs to be addressed. It's time we hold celebrities accountable for their actions and take responsibility for our choices. Let's not gamble with our future - there's too much at stake. 


Videos and Photos Courtesy - Google - Veed