Why are an increasing number of well-heeled Indians are heading to Dubai? Why is a 54-year-old Delhiite being called the golden baba? And is GST hitting our not-insignificant gold-export business hard? Find the answers to all of that, right here: Dubai glitters as gold-buying destination The arrival of the GST has made Indians, who have the means, head elsewhere in search of the gold jewellery they want to buy. The most popular gold-buying destination for such buyers is Dubai. "Shopping for gold in Dubai, especially with a 13 per cent difference, is more lucrative and this will divert some business from India to Dubai," Rajiv Popley, director of Popley & Sons, told the Economic Times. Gold bought in Dubai is about Rs 360 per gram cheaper than that bought in India at the moment. So flying there to make big gold purchases makes sound economic sense. The city has witnessed a 5-10% increase in demand for gold jewellery from Indian buyers. "Singapore and Sri Lanka are also witnessing increased buying interest for gold from Indian travellers," Malabar Gold and Diamonds chairman MP Ahammed told the paper. The Kanvar yatra is the annnual pilgrimage of Lord Shiva devotees that sees them fetching Ganges water from Haridwar and other holy places as offerings for their local shrines. Among the most colorful bhakts of the spartan Lord Shiva in this yearly pilgrimage is 54-year-old Sudhir Kumar Makkar. The one-time garment and real-estate businessman, with an estimated net worth of over Rs 150 crore, is now known as the Golden Baba and Shri Mahant Ji Golden Puri Babaji for obvious reasons. On his person is a collection of 21 gold chains, 21 lockets of deities, armlets and a jacket - all of gold - weighing 14.5 kgs, up from 12 kgs in 2016, worth almost Rs 4 crore. Hindustan Times, who have been featuring him during the yatra for the last two years, quotes the Baba as saying; "“The new chain weighs two kgs and has a locket of Shiva. I am not wearing much gold on this journey as its weight has affected my nerves at the neck and also affected vision of one eye. This is my penultimate Kanvar Yatra and 2018 will be last ending with a silver jubilee." Makkar admits to the paper that the "love for gold and cars will not die. I remember it was in 1972-73 when gold price was Rs 200 per tola (10 grams). I started wearing gold items and had nearly four tolas that time. Gradually, the gold increased. I will keep the gold with me till I die. It will be handed over to my favourite disciple when I leave the world." The Baba, who in another interview to the Times of India, had said he turned to ascetism as "I must have made mistakes, done wrong things as a businessman" also manages to deftly manoeuvre in a Rolex watch worth Rs 27 lakh onto his arm whenever the mood seizes him. He travels in 16-vehicle cavalcade that includes a BMW, three Toyota Fortuners, two Audi and two Toyota Innovas all owned by him. In 2015, the Haridwar police lodged a criminal complaint against the Baba for "creating obstruction and in fact nuisance for the police during the Kanvar Mela on 15.07.2015". A man of colour and go(l)d, Makkar certainly is!