WHAT DOES THE CRYSTAL BALL SAY FOR 2018?
By Ruma Dubey
2017 is gone and 2018 is in. All the partying is over, maybe the hangover still persists…..
For many, 31st December is just the end of a month and the beginning of a new month. Yes, it means a change in the year but that’s something which has no real impact on our lives. The habits, traits, characters, routine which we had on 31st are what we carry over into 2018 to. Thus spiritually or philosophically speaking (spirituality is the science of philosophy) this “new year” has no significance. But because we live and work in a material world, we need to follow a few rules and ways of the world; so in that context, 2018 is a new year and it brings forth hope in the mind that things will pan out much better than they did in 2017.
As we step into 2018 with new optimism, there are few world events, which could have a bearing on the world around us; not directly but as a causation of living in a flat, globally connected world. A quick look at the calendar year of 2018. We do not need any exotic looking gypsy who will till us in an ominous voice about what lay ahead for us in 2018. These are world and local events, already scheduled to happen. So mark these events….
More than looking at just within India, we are looking at major events across the globe as those have an equal if not bigger impact. As per the Chinese, 2018 is the year of the dog and the Chinese say that it will be very good, without any bad periods and full of achievements.
The Union Budget and the Railway Budget will be announced on 1st Feb.
In China, the ban on using virtual private networks will come into force
US Federal Reserve’s Chairwoman, Janet Yellen’s term comes to an end on 3rd Feb. Jerome Powell has been nominated to replace her.
From Feb9th to 25th Feb, the Winter Olympics will happen in South Korea and for the first time ever, 5G network will be tested.
For the fourth time, current Russian President, Vladimir Putin will run for the post once again. The election date is 18th March.
Eight states in India will go to the polls - Karnataka, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgrah and Rajasthan.
The 44th G7 summit will be held on June 8–9, 2018 at Le Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada. This will be the sixth time since 1981 that Canada has hosted the meetings.
Major countries going to polls this year – Cameroon, Pakistan, Iraq, Italy, Sweden, Malaysia, Thailand. The Brazilian and Egyptian Presidential race will also be watched closely.
The BIG political event of the year will undoubtedly be on 6th November when USA’s midterm voting will be held, when voters elect Congress representatives and state officials. It will be looked on mainly as a referendum on Trump.
FIFA opens on 14th June in Russia and final match will be held on 15th July.
This will be path breaking in Saudi – the first driver’s license to women will be issued, efefctuve 24th June.
The world will see long good-byes from leaders as Japan's Emperor Akihito prepares to bow out and Cuba's President Raúl Castro steps down. There is also the possibility of Saudi's King Salman abdicating.
And yes, there will be the royal wedding in UK - Prince Harry and literal American dream Meghan Markle. The date is fixed for 19th May. Kings no longer rule bur this event will surely be one of the most watched events in 2018.
Space X founder and CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company plans to launch two paying customers on a weeklong trip around the moon before the end of 2018. Let’s see if that does take off!