Hi Everyone,

There has been so much talk on HT about the proposed GST threatening to draw the curtains forcefully on racing in India. How fast it's going to happen or how best the racing clubs are going to evolve a common plan to overcome the situation is not clear as yet. In this situation, as an ordinary punter how you are going to take it in case if GST comes to ring the death bells to racing?

To be honest, tens of thousands of families will heave a huge sigh of relief because if it's "happy pass-time" for race-goers, it's a "torrid troublesome time" for their families back at home. Not many Sunday evenings will really be a pleasant occasion to celebrate in the houses of a majority of punters.

Hardly there are punters who make a living from racing. Maybe, there are others - like the ground staff and the cutters working in the bookies - who may be rendered jobless. But if they think there is no other occupation that can fetch them this paltry sum, they have to blame themselves. I personally feel this will be the right time for them to make the change and move towards greener pastures.

Ask the owners and trainers, "What you people are going to do?" I wonder if many of them will be seen in beaches or amusement parks where they will be running their famed horses on rounds to collect a few hundred rupees. Yes, it will be these cunning owners and trainers, who all these days have been fooling the punters in the name of racing who may have to pay a heavy price.

I am looking forward to many of you join this post. Thank you GST!!