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By:

Bhaskar Nath Biswal

13 May 2026 at 8:30:30 pm

E-Commerce’s Hidden Threat

The modern Indian marketplace no longer echoes exclusively with the chaotic bustle of traditional bazaars. Instead, it thrives within the silent, instantaneous clicks of smartphone screens. From monthly groceries to high-end electronics, digital retail has fundamentally altered how households across the country consume goods. This transition has undoubtedly unleashed unprecedented convenience, democratizing access to products for millions living outside metro cities. However, this...

E-Commerce’s Hidden Threat

The modern Indian marketplace no longer echoes exclusively with the chaotic bustle of traditional bazaars. Instead, it thrives within the silent, instantaneous clicks of smartphone screens. From monthly groceries to high-end electronics, digital retail has fundamentally altered how households across the country consume goods. This transition has undoubtedly unleashed unprecedented convenience, democratizing access to products for millions living outside metro cities. However, this hyper-connected landscape has also exposed a deeply troubling reality. As digital storefronts expand, so does the shadowy ecosystem of cybercriminals eager to exploit the trust and vulnerabilities of unsuspecting shoppers. The digital transaction, once celebrated as a triumph of modern engineering, is increasingly fraught with unseen hazards. Protecting consumers from e-shopping fraud has now become an urgent national imperative. Fraud Surge The sheer scale of India’s e-commerce revolution provides vital context for why online shopping has become such a high-stakes arena. Recent market estimates indicate that India’s e-commerce economy has surged well beyond $140 billion, driven by over 300 million active digital shoppers. Projections show this user base rapidly swelling toward 400 million, largely fuelled by deep internet penetration, affordable smart phones and seamless payment infrastructure like the Unified Payments Interface across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Yet, this remarkable surge in commercial volume has been mirrored by an equally dramatic escalation in cybercrime statistics. Official records from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal reveal that citizens have filed over 3.8 million cyber fraud complaints, representing staggering financial losses exceeding Rs. 36,000 crore, with a significant portion stemming from fraudulent online retail schemes. Perhaps most alarming is the historical recovery rate, where less than one percent of stolen funds is successfully returned to victims once transactions cross cyber borders. Despite the pervasive presence of online threats, digital consumers frequently fall into predictable traps that expose them to severe risk. A primary misstep is the failure to maintain basic password hygiene, with millions of shoppers reusing weak or identical passwords across multiple e-commerce platforms and email accounts, enabling attackers to execute swift cascading breaches. Furthermore, shoppers frequently bypass critical verification steps in pursuit of speed, such as failing to verify whether a website domain uses secure, encrypted connections before typing in card credentials. Another widespread oversight is performing financial transactions over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or transport hubs, which allows bad actors to intercept sensitive data packets in transit. Many consumers also neglect regular software updates on their smartphones, leaving unpatched security vulnerabilities wide open to malware. Above all, emotional urgency remains the greatest weakness. Impulsive buyers frequently ignore glaring red flags, such as suspicious payment requests or unverified seller profiles. Decoding Scams Recognizing that awareness is the frontline of defence, key industry players and digital safety advocates have begun taking structured action. A prominent example is the consumer handbook, ‘Your Guide to Safe Online Shopping’, developed by Safer Internet India and commissioned by Amazon. The initiative aims to demystify complex cyber security concepts and provide consumers with actionable, real-world tools to navigate the digital marketplace safely. The handbook shines a bright light on the most prevalent fraudulent tactics currently plaguing buyers. To combat these threats, the safety guide emphasizes a multi-layered approach to consumer protection. It urges shoppers to verify web addresses meticulously, refrain from sharing one-time passwords and avoid conducting transactions off authorized brand platforms. Equally important, the guide bridges the gap between technical vigilance and legal empowerment by outlining explicit consumer rights under Indian laws and detailing formal grievance redressal mechanisms. A sustainable defence against online shopping fraud requires an integrated, multi-stakeholder strategy that aligns consumer awareness, corporate accountability and robust law enforcement. E-commerce platforms must continue investing aggressively in advanced artificial intelligence tools to detect cloned websites, eliminate fake merchant accounts and intercept suspicious payment flows before they reach consumers. Concurrently, regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies must strengthen real-time intervention frameworks, expanding initiatives like the 1930 cyber crime helpline and emergency account-freezing protocols to minimize financial damage when breaches happen. On the demand side, continuous public awareness campaigns, modelled after comprehensive handbooks, must reach deep into semi-urban and rural regions where first-time internet users are most susceptible to manipulation. Ultimately, building a safe digital shopping environment is about preserving trust. Only when digital literacy keeps pace with technological innovation can India truly reap the economic rewards of its e-commerce revolution without sacrificing the security of its citizens. (The writer is a former college Principal and Founder of Supporting Shoulders, an Odisha-based non-profit Trust. Views personal.)

Ushering in a New Voice in Fiction

Anandajit Goswami stands among the most distinguished Indian authors of contemporary times, and with his latest novel Siddharth – The Soul Seeker, he once again proves his remarkable ability to engage and move readers. A writer deeply committed to his craft, Goswami continuously transforms his imagination into compelling works across the spectrum of fiction. Siddharth – The Soul Seeker is a profound novel that traces a spiritual and existential journey, set against the emotionally charged backdrop of India’s Partition.


With remarkable sensitivity and restraint, the novel recreates a world steeped in intense human emotions. It vividly portrays the anguish of displacement, the trauma of Partition, and the deep psychological alienation endured by the protagonist, Siddharth. The narrative sheds light on the inner turmoil of a young boy whose life is torn apart by violence and loss, yet shaped by compassion and hope.


Siddharth is introduced as an ordinary child caught in extraordinary circumstances, scarred by the brutality and bloodshed of communal conflict. In a powerful testament to humanity, he is lovingly raised by a kind-hearted Muslim woman, highlighting the endurance of compassion even amid chaos and hatred. His later love for, and marriage to, a Hindu woman reinforces the novel’s central message of harmony and unity between communities divided by violence. Through these relationships, Goswami underscores the timeless values of empathy, coexistence, and shared humanity.


Rich in psychological depth, the novel reflects unsettling truths that resonate strongly with contemporary readers. Indian audiences, in particular, find an immediate connection with the situations portrayed, as the narrative articulates the existential dilemmas that haunt individuals throughout their lives. Driven by questions of identity, purpose, and existence, Siddharth embarks on a transformative journey across India, engaging with its diverse cultures, faiths, and spiritual traditions.


This journey ultimately leads to a gripping courtroom drama, where the mysteries surrounding Siddharth’s identity and life purpose seek resolution. Holding the reader’s attention till the very end, the novel thoughtfully explores themes of survival, cultural plurality, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery. Thematically rich and emotionally layered, the book leaves a lasting impact.


While many contemporary writers prioritize plot over character, often at the cost of emotional depth, Goswami adopts a different approach. He displays a deep awareness of his characters’ needs, crafting them with care and authenticity. Siddharth, in particular, emerges as a fully realized protagonist upon whose shoulders the narrative structure firmly rests. The novel’s well-organized plot does not follow rigid, classical conventions but remains deeply introspective and psychologically engaging.


Goswami’s storytelling aligns closely with Aristotle’s principles of probability and relatability in characterization. His characters feel real—like individuals one might encounter in everyday life. Their struggles, emotions, and moral dilemmas are portrayed with such conviction that they compel readers and critics alike to reflect deeply upon them.


The author’s language is simple, clear, and accessible, yet the ideas conveyed are profound and contemplative. This balance between clarity and depth makes Siddharth – The Soul Seeker an exceptional work of fiction. It is a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page and is, without doubt, a book that deserves to be read.


(The writer is a literary critic. Views personal.)

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