Grandfather becomes CA at 71. Got interested while helping his granddaughter in her studies
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In a world where retirement often signals the end of professional ambition, a 71-year-old man from Jaipur is proving that age is truly just a number. Tara Chand Agarwal, a former employee of the erstwhile State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur (SBBJ), has become a Chartered Accountant at an age when most would shy away from exams altogether. His journey to earning the prestigious CA title didn't begin in a classroom or boardroom—it began at home while helping his granddaughter prepare for hers.CA Nikhilesh Kataria took to LinkedIn to share the inspiring story, revealing that Agarwal became interested in accountancy while assisting his granddaughter with her own CA studies. What started as a gesture of support turned into a full-fledged academic pursuit. And now, after years of perseverance, he has cleared one of India's toughest professional exams. Kataria lauded his determination, reminding readers that 'where there is a will, there is a way.'The internet was quick to celebrate the milestone. Users flooded the post with congratulatory messages, calling it one of the most inspiring stories of the year. Many admired his relentless spirit, applauding the power of lifelong learning. Comments poured in praising his resilience, willpower, and passion to learn even in his 70s, proving that education has no expiry date.The results of the Chartered Accountants (CA) Final Examination 2025 were declared by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) on July 6. According to ANI, Ranjan Kabra from Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district topped the CA Final exams, securing the All India Rank 1 (AIR-1) with an impressive 516 out of 600 marks—an 86% score. The complete list of CA Final May 2025 toppers includes Rajan Kabra (AIR-1), Nishtha Bothra (AIR-2), and Manav Rakesh Shah (AIR-3). ICAI confirmed that this year, a total of 14,247 candidates qualified as Chartered Accountants, with the exams held between May 16 and May 24 for Group 1 and Group 2 papers.
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Mint
16 hours ago
- Mint
Pharma giants want to crash the skincare party. It will be a long haul.
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Cosmo-derma products or 'cosmoceuticals' fall somewhere between traditional cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, offering active ingredients that target specific skin concerns, but need not be prescription-grade drugs. 'The space has become extremely cluttered, and consumers are increasingly turning to brands with clinically backed claims, dermatologist endorsements, and proven efficacy," Puri added. However, pharma companies have a long way to climb. India's beauty and personal care market is poised to grow to $34 billion by 2028 from $21 billion in 2023, with the skincare category growing the fastest, at a compound annual growth rate of 13%, according to retailerNykaa's beauty trends report 2024. In comparison, cosmo-derma sales by pharmaceutical companies in India was ₹4,851 crore (about $565 million) as of June, show data by pharma intelligence platform Pharmarack. The cosmo-derma sector, however, grew at a faster 17% CAGR over the previous 5 years. Pharmaceutical companies also have to contend with consumer goods giants in the skincare space. Hindustan Unilever Ltd acquired a 90.5% stake in Minimalist earlier this year, valuing the Jaipur-based online skincare and haircare brand at ₹2,955 crore (about $345 million). A battle in the beauty arena—key points A clinical approach Last year, responding to the growing demand for skincare products, Emcure Pharmaceuticals launched Emcutix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd to expand its derma business with a focus on offerings such as moisturisers built with multi-layer fatty acid emulsion technology and a non-invasive topical treatment for skin tightening. 'The line between medicine and skincare continues to blur," said Sathya Narayanan, CEO of Emcutix. 'We have seen that people are willing to invest more when they know a product is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and backed by science." Glenmark, among India's largest dermatology players, is leveraging its research and development capabilities, manufacturing facilities, and its distribution network to expand in the over-the-counter (OTC) or non-prescription skincare products. 'Our model gives us the agility to bring dermatologist-trusted, high-efficacy formulations to market at a price point that's accessible," said Alok Malik, president of Glenmark's India formulations business. 'While startups have brought agility, which has benefited the entire category, what sets us apart as a pharmaceutical brand, is our clinical depth, long-standing dermatologist trust, and a robust safety profile," Malik added. India's beauty brands battle hard in a crowded market Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, which has an established presence in the dermatology segment, in 2022 acquired skincare product maker Curatio Healthcare for ₹2,000 crore, adding leading brands Tedibar and Atogla to its kitty. 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Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
SK Finance loan book jumps 27 pc to Rs 13,261 cr in FY25; eyes Rs 2,200 cr via IPO
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Jaipur-based SK Finance Ltd, a non-banking financial company, on Tuesday reported 27 per cent rise in its loan book to Rs 13,261 crore for FY25, compared to Rs 10,476 crore in the previous weathering industry headwinds in FY25, SK Finance stayed resilient, delivering an impressive performance backed by robust demand and focused expansion, the company said in a NBFC saw its profit after tax increase by 21.72 per cent year-on-year to Rs 380 crore, while total income rose 32.7 per cent to Rs 2,386 during the year stood at Rs 8,398 crore, marking a 16 per cent rise, driven by growth in car, tractor and MSME vehicle loans comprised the largest share of the company's assets under management (AUM) at 37.9 per cent, followed by MSME loans at 23.1 per cent and car loans at 20.4 per cent. SK Finance maintained a strong capital adequacy ratio of 29.51 per cent, comfortably above regulatory requirements, the company in 1994 by Rajendra Kumar Setia to address the lack of institutional credit for small traders and transporters in Rajasthan, the company has focused on rural and semi-urban segments, targeting underserved borrowers in Tier-II and Tier-III September last year, SK Finance got Sebi's clearance to float Rs 2,200 crore initial public offering (IPO). The IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 500 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to Rs 1,700 crore by promoters and investor a part of the OFS, Norwest Venture Partners X-Mauritius and TPG Growth IV SF PTE Ltd will offload shares worth Rs 700 crore each, Evolvence Coinvest I will divest shares to the tune of Rs 75 crore and Evolvence India Fund III Ltd will sell shares worth Rs 25 promoters -- Rajendra Kumar Setia and Rajendra Kumar Setia HUF -- will offload shares aggregating to Rs 180 crore and Rs 20 crore, Finance plans to utilise proceeds from the fresh issue for augmenting the capital base to meet future business requirements of the company towards onward lending and for general corporate purposes.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
SK Finance loan book jumps 27 pc to Rs 13,261 cr in FY25; eyes Rs 2,200 cr via IPO
Jaipur-based SK Finance Ltd, a non-banking financial company, on Tuesday reported 27 per cent rise in its loan book to Rs 13,261 crore for FY25, compared to Rs 10,476 crore in the previous year. Despite weathering industry headwinds in FY25, SK Finance stayed resilient, delivering an impressive performance backed by robust demand and focused expansion, the company said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now The NBFC saw its profit after tax increase by 21.72 per cent year-on-year to Rs 380 crore, while total income rose 32.7 per cent to Rs 2,386 crore. Disbursements during the year stood at Rs 8,398 crore, marking a 16 per cent rise, driven by growth in car, tractor and MSME lending. Commercial vehicle loans comprised the largest share of the company's assets under management (AUM) at 37.9 per cent, followed by MSME loans at 23.1 per cent and car loans at 20.4 per cent. SK Finance maintained a strong capital adequacy ratio of 29.51 per cent, comfortably above regulatory requirements, the company added. Live Events Founded in 1994 by Rajendra Kumar Setia to address the lack of institutional credit for small traders and transporters in Rajasthan, the company has focused on rural and semi-urban segments, targeting underserved borrowers in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. In September last year, SK Finance got Sebi's clearance to float Rs 2,200 crore initial public offering (IPO). The IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 500 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to Rs 1,700 crore by promoters and investor shareholders. As a part of the OFS, Norwest Venture Partners X-Mauritius and TPG Growth IV SF PTE Ltd will offload shares worth Rs 700 crore each, Evolvence Coinvest I will divest shares to the tune of Rs 75 crore and Evolvence India Fund III Ltd will sell shares worth Rs 25 crore. Additionally, promoters -- Rajendra Kumar Setia and Rajendra Kumar Setia HUF -- will offload shares aggregating to Rs 180 crore and Rs 20 crore, respectively. SK Finance plans to utilise proceeds from the fresh issue for augmenting the capital base to meet future business requirements of the company towards onward lending and for general corporate purposes.
