1026 It is not reasonable to compare the Economic Performance(s) of India and Singapore

It is not reasonable to compare the Economic Performance(s) of India and Singapore, not to speak of the 'medicare performances'. Context: Some dialogues in the Tamil Film 'Mersal' criticising Demonetisation, GST (Economic Reforms introduced in India during 2016 and 2017), and comparing Medicare in Singapore, and the Medicare in India. I also feel that Commercial Films produced for Entertainment purposes cannot properly analyse the Economic Issues which India (or for that matter any other country in the world) is trying to solve. There are myriad reasons for this. Commercial Films in INdia try to arouse emotions in masses, and make some quick bucks. Dialogues of five or ten minutes cannot delineate complex economic issues, or even medico-socio-economic issues. Here is a Hindusthan Times Link for those who wish to see/read this news item: Click here to go to http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/watch-the-controversial-mersal-scene-in-which-vijay-knocks-pm-modi-s-gst/story-wyEItqc7qP6i0rvZrnjjEI.html. Clarification: I am not a supporter of BJP or the Bourgeoisie Opposition Parties. But, still I feel that it will be better for Tamil Nadu BJP Leaders, not to take the Criticism in the film too much into their hearts. Reason: There is already a clamor that Right of Freedom of Expression is being throttled. Consequently, BJP will unnecessarily get a bad-name.

Question: Why comparison of India's GST Rates in Singapore and India, Medicare Facilities in Singapore and India, will be incongruous?

Film's Comment	Singapore	India
a country such as Singapore levies only 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) and can afford to provide free healthcare services. However, India is unable to provide the same while levying a 28% GST.	Singapore is a City State (Just one City, comprising a Nation. Population, just 5.6 million. It is easy to administer a small country, with small population, which is not divergent --different religions, castes, languages, climates, work cultures, ethical beliefs.	India is an Expansive and Over-populated Giant, bursting at its seams. Population 1,300 million.
	Singapore does not live just on GST. It has numerous other fund flows. Singapore is a Tax-haven country thriving on tax evaded, money laundered funds, consisting of kick backs, under-invoiced Exports, Over-invoiced Imports etc. funds remitted by Financial Criminals. Countries engaged in similar activities such as Switzerland, Britain-with its Tax Haven Islands such as Island of Man, France, USA, Makavu, Hong Kong, Taiwan etc. etc. have a similar Welfare Exhibitionism.	India has not so far fallen into the trap of establishing International Tax Havens, and shelters for Economic Criminals.
	Singapore is not burdened with much defence expenditure.	India has nearly 5000 km. long sensitive-troublesome borders with China, Pakisthan. Though relations with other neighbors are good, still that does not mean that we should leave our borders with those countries unguarded. All this requires huge expenditure on Defence, Acquisition of Fighter Aircraft, Fighter Ships, Fencing, maintaining big armies, purchase of guns, tanks, drones, robots, radars, what not?

We must never forget that "All that glitters is not gold". Singapore's Prosperity and Welfare-Shows are to be viewed with a pinch of salt.

ybrao-a-donkey's personal views which are not intended to be imposed on others

If our film producers, directors, Heroes, and Heroines want to be truly socially responsible, they have a lot to do in their own Film Industry. Today, billions of Rupees of Financial Resources are being wasted by Indian Film Industry, by producing "trash" which cannot be called films in any manner. When there are thousands of great scenery locations in India, why the Producers and Directors are taking their Troops to Brazil, Makav, Europe, USA, Thailand, Singapore etc., and arranging Chill-down Parties with drugs? They can produce beautiful films in India, with very low budgets.

At the outset, the producers and directors of Mersal should have prepared an effective screenplay consisting of dialogues with arguments from both sides on demonetisation and GST. Just as, every coin has two sides, every Reform will have its two sides. Availing the Right of Freedom of Expression is to be done with required care, diligence, and effectiveness. It may not be as simple as garlanding flexies of Heroes, or throwing cattle dung/stones on the flexies of Rival Heroes.

Once, they make a film equipped with properly discussed and evaluated dialogues (political, economic, socio-economic matters), they should not ordinarily go back if somebody raises objections. As far as possible, further discussions can be initiated, by providing explanations, and inviting more questions.
Incomplete. To come back and continue adding / deleting / modifying.

999 Some musings and reflections on Global and Indian Business Trends

The new GST (Goods and Services Tax) Regime, which is going to come into force, seems to place a larger tax burden, on the traditional system of Indian Medicine, popularly known as 'Ayur vEda' Approx. English: Knowledge of Life. The News Report at Deccanchronicle.com titled "Patanjali ask govt about 'Achchhe Din' after high GST on ayurveda items " throws some light on the things to come: Click here to go http://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/companies/280517/patanjali-ask-govt-about-achchhe-din-after-high-gst-on-ayuveda-items.html. The anxiety expressed by Baba Ramdev and Association of Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Medicines (AMAM), about the higher rate of 12% GST which is going to be imposed on Ayurvedic Medicines, is genuine and worth noting. We shall analyse some quotes from the Deccanchronicle.com, on the anxieties of the Ayurveda Sector.

News /anxiety	ybrao-a-donkey's personal view
how can people feel and live 'Achchhe Din' without the right to good health?	Even prior to GST, Ayurvedic Medicines were pretty costly, may be due to a steep VAT Rate, and Ayurveda like Allopathy used to be expensive even before GST. GST of 12% makes it further costlier.
GST rate for classical or generic range of ayurvedic medicines must be nil and 5 per cent for patented products instead of the proposed 12 per cent.	Pure Ayurvedic Medicines, particularly vrikshAyurveda medicines, based on ancient texts, needs to be placed in 0% GST bracket. For patented medicines, tax rate can be even 12%. Reason: Some patented medicines made by some Manufacturers are not really Ayurvedic. To avoid some allopathic drug licensing regulations, the Allopathic Pharma Manufacturers seem to be pushing their goods as Ayurvedic medicines. AMAM will have to take the responsibility of identifying such non-ayurvedic but allopathic manufacturers, and bringing their cases to the notice of the Government for corrective action.
Higher GST on ayurvedic category has surprised us and is very disappointing and disheartening	Union Finance Minister will have to correct it.
ayurveda, which provides care and cure to common man at affordable price and is ancient and proven therapy for ages, doesn't deserve such treatment. "Good health and healthy living is common man's basic right and expectation. Without all these, how can one feel and live 'Achchhe Din' ?	We have to accept.
The Indian government has been aggressively promoting ayurvedic products internationally but what's the point of doing these things when the tax rate is so high and the common people can't afford it at home? ... This is sad and unfortunate as the Prime Minister is doing his best to boost the AYUSH system.	Personally, this ybdonkey does not believe that PMOI will be interested to help Ayurveda.
The previous UPA government "treated ayurveda industry as step child, but this government has taken steps to take it forward. ... High tax rate proposed under GST will make Ayurvedic, Sidha and Unani medicines out of reach of common man and kill the system".	Both the present and previous Governments are/were not interested to promote Native Systems of Medicines. (Note: Homoeopathy is not Native to India.
If homeopathic products could be put under 5 per cent slab under GST, ayurvedic products should also be kept under the rate.	Homoeopathic medicines contain no medical substances except milk sugar, alcohol and sugar globules. Reasons: Homoeo medicines are extremely diluted with alcohol, in the name of creating potencies. When medicines are extremely dilutely, for alcohol, milk sugar and dilution, the cost of production will be very nominal. Actually, it is high time that India should ban Homoeopathy in our country. It is nothing but placebo. If banning is not possible, in view of high profitability, there is nothing wrong in levying higher taxes. On the other hand, ayurvedic herbs are dificult to cultivate, store, and production costs will be higher when compared to homoeopathy.

To come back and continue adding / deleting / modifying. सशेेष. ఇంకా ఉంది.