India seeks parliament's nod to additionally spend $5.9bln in 2024/25
The Indian government has sought parliament's approval to additionally spend 514.63 billion rupees ($5.90 billion) on a net basis for the current financial year ending March 31, according to a statement released on Monday.
($1 = 87.2500 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Nikunj Ohri; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
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Arabian Post
4 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Apparel Group Unveils Go Colors' First Global Store
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The brand's identity revolves around youthful, trendy designs and a commitment to affordable pricing, which has resonated well with the domestic market and is now poised to attract the diverse demographics of Dubai's shoppers. ADVERTISEMENT Dubai's Silicon Central Mall, a recently developed retail complex situated in the heart of Dubai Silicon Oasis, was chosen for its strategic location and modern infrastructure. The mall is rapidly emerging as a key destination for technology and lifestyle retail, combining innovation with shopping experiences. This aligns with Go Colors' dynamic brand ethos and the Apparel Group's ambition to expand its footprint in premium retail locations. The new store covers approximately 2,000 square feet and features a wide array of products tailored to appeal to men, women, and children, maintaining the brand's core focus on versatility and style. The decision to launch Go Colors internationally reflects broader trends in the retail sector, where Indian-origin brands are increasingly seeking growth beyond domestic boundaries. This expansion is facilitated by Dubai's robust economic framework, ease of doing business, and a strong retail infrastructure that attracts international brands looking to establish a presence in the Middle East. Industry experts note that the Middle East retail market continues to grow steadily, driven by a young population, rising disposable incomes, and a blend of traditional and contemporary shopping preferences. Go Colors' entry into the Dubai market comes amid intensifying competition among apparel brands vying for consumer attention in the region. The brand's strategy focuses on differentiating itself through vibrant colour palettes, frequent new collections, and price accessibility. This approach is expected to attract not only the local UAE residents but also expatriates and tourists, who constitute a significant share of Dubai's retail consumers. By emphasising a youthful and energetic brand image, Go Colors aims to fill a niche that balances trendy fashion with everyday affordability. The Apparel Group's leadership expressed confidence in the growth potential of the new store. The group's CEO highlighted that the launch represents a blend of innovation, market understanding, and the ability to connect with diverse consumer groups. He underlined the importance of Dubai as a gateway for international expansion and pointed to the group's extensive experience in managing multiple global brands as a key asset in navigating new markets. The leadership's vision for Go Colors involves not only store expansion within the UAE but also potential future openings in other strategic locations worldwide. Operationally, the new store employs a mix of local staff trained in customer engagement and product knowledge, ensuring a high standard of service that aligns with the brand's values. The layout of the store is designed to offer a seamless shopping experience, combining colourful, eye-catching displays with intuitive product categorisation. This allows customers to easily navigate through seasonal collections, casual wear, and accessories. Additionally, the store integrates digital elements such as QR codes for product information and promotions, reflecting a growing trend towards blending physical and digital retail experiences. ADVERTISEMENT Market analysts observe that the Apparel Group's expansion strategy is well-timed, considering the growing appetite for fast fashion and lifestyle brands in the Middle East. The region's retail sector is adapting rapidly to shifts in consumer behaviour, with increased demand for value-oriented yet stylish apparel. Go Colors' proposition fits into this paradigm by offering fresh designs frequently, thus catering to consumers seeking variety without compromising affordability. This trend is underscored by data indicating increased spending on casual and lifestyle clothing across GCC countries, driven by younger demographics and evolving fashion sensibilities. While the launch signals optimism, challenges remain for Go Colors as it enters a competitive and sophisticated market. Established international brands and regional players alike have entrenched customer bases, and consumer expectations for quality, trendiness, and service are high. Success will depend on how effectively Go Colors can localise its product offerings, adapt to cultural preferences, and sustain a compelling value proposition. The Apparel Group's experience in the Middle East retail sector, including managing franchises and original brands, is expected to play a crucial role in mitigating these challenges. 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Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Internet shutdown, curfew imposed after fresh clashes in Indian state of Manipur
An Indian state riven by ethnic tensions imposed an internet shutdown and curfew after protesters clashed with security forces over the arrest of some members of a radical group, police said on Sunday. Manipur in India's northeast has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than two years between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community that have killed more than 250 people. The latest violence was triggered on Saturday after reports of the arrest of five members, including a commander, of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group. Incensed mobs demanding their release stormed a police post, set fire to a bus and blocked roads in parts of the state capital Imphal. Security personnel patrol a street the morning after violent protests in Imphal, Manipur state. AP Manipur police announced a curfew in five districts, including Imphal West and Bishnupur, due to the "developing law and order situation." "Prohibitory orders have been issued by District Magistrates. Citizens are requested to cooperate with the orders," the police said in a statement. Arambai Tenggol, which is alleged to have orchestrated the violence against the Kuki community, has also announced a 10-day shutdown in the valley districts. The state's home ministry has ordered all internet and mobile data services in volatile districts to be shut off for five days in order to bring the latest unrest under control. Internet services were shut down for months in Manipur during the initial outbreak of violence in 2023, which displaced around 60,000 people from their homes according to government figures. Thousands of the state's residents are still unable to return home owing to ongoing tensions. Long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs. Rights activists have accused local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain. Agence France-Presse
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Modi opens ambitious rail project connecting Kashmir to rest of India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated one of the most ambitious railway projects ever built in India, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time. Dubbed by government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometre line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in Jammu region and runs through Jammu and Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarised Line of Control. The line travels through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges. The Indian government pegged the total project cost at around $5 billion. One of the project's highlights is a 1,315-metre-long (4,314-foot) steel and concrete bridge above the Chenab River connecting two mountains with an arch 359 metres (1,177 feet) above the water. Indian Railways compared the height to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which stands 330 metres (1,082 feet), and said the bridge is built to last 120 years and endure extreme weather, including wind speeds up to 260kph (161 mph). Narendra Modi (C), with other dignitaries, after the inauguration ceremony of the Chenab Rail Bridge in Kashmir. AFP Modi visited the Chenab bridge with tight security, waving an Indian tri-colour flag before boarding a test train that passed through picturesque mountains and tunnels to reach an inauguration ceremony for another high-elevation bridge named Anji. After opening the unprecedented projects for the public, PM Modi addressed the large gathering and described them as the ones reflecting the new strength and power of Jammu and Kashmir. "Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line projects, these are not just names, these are the identity of the new power of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a proclamation of the new power of India," Modi said. A Kashmiri schoolboy along with his teacher travel in Vande Bharat Express train from Srinagar after it was inaugurated by Narendra Modi on Friday. AP Modi highlighted the umpteen challenges that the engineers and workers faced in bringing this project to life and also spoke about the government's resolve and commitment in bringing prosperity to Kashmir. "This project was immensely challenging, given the difficult terrain. But, our government chose to challenge the challenges," he said. The prime minister also helped launch a pair of new trains called "Vande Bharat" that will halve the travel time between Srinagar and the town of Katra in Jammu to about three hours from the usual six to seven hours by road. Narendra Modi visits Chenab Rail Bridge during the inauguration of the Kashmir rail link. AFP Modi travelled to Kashmir on Friday for the first time since a military conflict between India and Pakistan brought the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of their third war over the region last month, when the countries fired missiles and drones at each other. The conflict began with a gun massacre in late April that left 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, dead in Jammu and Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied. "This is a symbol and celebration of rising India," Modi said of the Chenab Bridge which connects two mountains. A decorated Vande Bharat Express train which will run between Katra and Srinagar is parked at a station in Sangaldan after it was inaugurated by Narendra Modi. AP Modi called it "an extraordinary feat of architecture" that "will improve connectivity" by providing the first rail link from the Indian plains up to mountainous Kashmir. It is expected to halve the travel time between the town of Katra in the Hindu-majority Jammu region and Srinagar, the main city in Kashmir, to around three hours. The new route will facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as troops, that was previously possible only via treacherous mountain roads and by air. 'VERY SPECIAL MOMENT' It was a moment of immense pride and excitement for a group of students who had an opportunity to meet PM Modi onboard the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Narendra Modi interactsg with school children inside the Vande Bharat train during its inauguration. AFP These students, selected through various competitions, were among the first passengers of the high-speed train flagged off by the PM, and shared their overwhelming experiences. One student remarked, "He interacted with us and asked what we did to get the chance to come here. There were many competitions, like poem recitation and drawing, from which we were selected. I felt very proud after meeting our Prime Minister. He is such a famous personality, and it is very rare to meet someone like him." "It felt very special and made me feel extremely proud because he is the Prime Minister of the was in front of everyone gets the opportunity to meet him," she added. Another student from Delhi Public School (DPS) Katra said, "I never thought of meeting PM Modi in my lifetime. He is my idol, and I felt very nice and fortunate to meet him. He asked us what competitions we participated in, and we told him how we got selected. After winning these competitions, we got the opportunity to enter the train and meet the PM." Agencies
