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Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

Recent SEBI Action Against Trading Academy

SEBI’s recent action against a popular trading educator has once again reminded the country of a simple but powerful truth: do not misguide people by promoting the stock market as a get rich quick scheme.


What SEBI Is Really Examining

The regulator was not trying to curb financial learning. It was examining something far more serious - whether education had quietly turned into stock tips, fast money promises and unregistered live trading calls.


The Ironic Reality SEBI Discovered

While passing the order, SEBI also found something even more ironic and alarming. The person teaching others how to trade was himself making crores of losses. Client testimonials showcasing lakhs of supposed profits generated by participants, did not match their actual records. In short, the trading coach was losing money in trading, the students were losing money in trading, and the only person consistently making money was the coach himself by selling the dream of a get rich quick scheme through trading courses.


Where The Real Problem Begins

This is exactly where the bigger problem begins. Anyone who tells you that the stock market is a get rich quick scheme or a predictable monthly income generator is a big problem. Unfortunately, this idea has become widespread today. Much of the content circulating on YouTube, Instagram and other platforms is built for sensation and clickbait rather than true financial guidance. Its aim is not to simplify money but to trigger emotions, attract followers, and sell dreams.


Noise Is Drowning Real Education

Real financial education gets drowned in this noise. People start believing that trading profits are instant, guaranteed, and repeatable. They get influenced by selectively picked success stories, dramatic reels, and exaggerated testimonials. They forget that the market does not reward excitement, it rewards patience, discipline, and risk management. These essentials rarely make it to flashy thumbnails.


Power, Responsibility, And Investor Risk

SEBI’s intervention highlights that finance carries power, and with power comes responsibility. When hype-driven teaching influences thousands, it is not just a regulatory challenge. It affects families, long-term goals, and life savings. Wrong direction in the market can permanently derail financial stability, often because someone believed a shortcut was possible.


The Truth That Must Be Repeated

And the truth must be repeated without hesitation. The stock market is not a get rich quick machine or a monthly income machine. It is a long-term wealth creation tool. It requires planning, emotional balance, and a realistic understanding of risk. No webinar or secret pattern can replace this.


Why Investors Must Be Careful

This is why investors must be extremely careful. Always consult a well-qualified and full-time advisor who educates you properly, provides personalised guidance, and handholds you throughout your financial journey. A genuine advisor does not sell fantasies. They offer clarity, direction, and accountability, the qualities that actually create wealth. Investors need to take help from doctors who actually take care and treat patients, not put out courses or video reels to create content.


Remember

Ultimately, the market rewards discipline and wisdom. It has never rewarded shortcuts, and never will.


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor.Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

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