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As we see daily in the media and news — the wealthy and high-profile classes in India are spending crores of rupees. Whether it's luxury cars, expensive duplexes and villas, foreign vacations, or premium branded clothing — all of this clearly shows that India’s upper class has an immense capacity to spend.
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On the other hand, watching a movie in a cinema hall or buying a basic snack like popcorn falls under heavy taxation. Through mandatory indirect taxes like "entertainment tax," the government earns crores of rupees every day.
Recently, in the 18th edition of the IPL, RCB lifted the trophy for the first time, and money rained on them. As winners, Royal Challengers Bangalore received ₹20 crore, while runners-up Punjab Kings were awarded ₹12.5 crore. Mumbai Indians, who finished third, earned ₹7 crore, and Gujarat, who came fourth, got ₹6.5 crore.
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“There is no shortage of money in India! Indians are not short on cash! What we lack is the mindset to invest in the future,” says Professor Mayank Srivastava, a leading scientist from IISc Bangalore.
The data and questions raised by Prof. Mayank are worth serious thought:
IPL 2023 revenue: ₹11,770 crore
BCCI surplus: ₹5,120 crore
IPL profit in 3 years: ₹15,000 crore
Potential tax (40%): Enough to build at least 10 new IITs
Franchise profits: ₹800–1,200 crore/year → Potential tax: ₹6,000 crore/year solely for research
Now, let’s look at the real contradiction:
BCCI pays no income tax (due to “charitable status”)
Research labs must pay GST even to buy scientific equipment
Bollywood, religious institutions, and sports leagues get tax exemptions
Prof. Mayank raises a sharp and valid question: "Entertainment is subsidized, but research is taxed." And now, the questions we must ask ourselves: Why is the Cricket Board getting tax exemptions when research institutes are struggling for funds? Why are we taxing microscopes — but not cricket match tickets?
If India truly wants to become a technological superpower, is our money being directed the right way?
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IPL 2025’s “Sixer Kings”
Nicholas Pooran is the Sixer King of IPL 2025. Representing Lucknow Super Giants, he smashed 40 sixes in 14 matches. Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer comes in second with 39 sixes in 17 matches. Mumbai Indians’ star Suryakumar Yadav hit 38 sixes in 16 matches. Mitchell Marsh, in fourth place, hit 37 sixes in 13 matches. PBKS’s Prabhsimran Singh is fifth with 30 sixes in 17 games.
So the question is — while we applaud those "sixers" in cricket, who is clapping for science?
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It’s time India sets its priorities straight.
A question worth thinking about today.
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