Latest news with #ABA
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
ET Make in India SME Regional Summits: How Surat's MSMEs are weaving India's future
Live Events When Nikhil Garg moved to Surat three years ago, he wasn't sure what to expect. But the city didn't just embrace him— it helped his textile spare parts import business, N-Tex, thrive.'Surat adapts quickly. It's a city that thinks big and supports those with courage,' he said. Garg, who is Founder President of the Agarwal Business Network (ABA), led a fireside chat at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit - Surat on July 18. The summit had IDBI as banking and lending partner and Canon as tech imports machinery and components from Germany and China and believes that importing is more than trade: it's a form of technology transfer. 'We're helping India stay globally competitive in garments by introducing innovations that weren't accessible before,' he underlined. Especially in knitting, a segment that now dominates 65% of the global textile market, Surat is rapidly catching up with international tech-forward mindset isn't limited to machinery. Entrepreneurs in Surat are investing in modern weaving methods such as airjet and waterjet technology in response to labour shortages. And the scale? 'Some textile units in Surat rival those in China,' Garg pointed the heart of this entrepreneurial engine is trust, something Garg has woven into the fabric of ABA. Launched under the Agrawal Samaj Trust, the not-for-profit network now connects over 120 business owners across sectors— from diamonds to insurance and textile manufacturers to astrologers.'MSMEs work on credit, and credit relies on trust. In ABA, we exchange filtered referrals based on real, successful experiences,' Garg network operates through focused industry groups. Its textile group meets monthly to share practical know-how, while its jewellery wing recently explored how silver is the next big thing for young buyers seeking affordable, yet stylish options.'None of this is taught in schools,' Garg said. 'It's grassroots knowledge, and it's changing the way MSMEs think and grow.'What makes Surat ideal for this transformation? For Garg, it's a mix of safety, cleanliness, infrastructure, and an unusually supportive bureaucracy.'Surat is like a mini India. There are Kathiyawadis, Marwaris, Gujaratis, all working together. It's peaceful, industrious, and fast-moving,' he noted at the ET SME Summit. He even called Surat 'the next Dubai', elaborating on its evolution into a smart hub for textiles, diamonds, and even advice for the next generation was simple but powerful: be practical and above all, have courage. He also warned against the trap many startups fall into: spending big on design and branding while ignoring customer for the younger entrepreneurs in his network, Garg sees a shift toward visibility and social media clout. But he's quick to point out that some of Surat's most successful businesspeople operate under the radar.'They aren't on Instagram and they aren't giving TED Talks. But they are building sustainable businesses, and that's what really counts,' he a city where tradition and innovation move hand-in-hand, Nikhil Garg was the hyperlocal voice for community-driven growth in Surat. For MSMEs across India, the city might just be the roadmap — and the revolution — they've been waiting ET Make in India SME Regional Summits, ET MSME Day, and ET MSME Awards are flagship initiatives to celebrate the versatility and success of India's MSME sector. If you lead or are part of a micro, small, or medium enterprise, register for the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ringo Starr Casually Announces A New Album
Ringo Starr confirms he's recording a new album with T Bone Burnett, following the Americana-leaning ... More Look Up, which arrived earlier in 2025. BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 07: Ringo Starr attends Ringo's Peace & Love Birthday Celebration at Beverly Hills Garden Park on July 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo byfor ABA) Ringo Starr's energy shows no sign of waning, even though the celebrated musician recently turned 85. After more than six decades in the spotlight, the legendary drummer is not only still touring, he's expanding his musical horizons in ways few could have expected, and continuing to produce more new music. Just months after releasing Look Up, his first full-length in more than half a decade, Starr recently shared some good news via an announcement that confirms that more new work is on the way. A Follow-Up to Look Up In a video Starr shared recently on YouTube, the former Beatle revealed that he is already working on a new album, and the project sees him reuniting with the producer who helped him produce his latest genre-shifting effort. 'I'm in the studio here now doing another album with T Bone [Burnett]. Thank you, Lord. Woo. Yeah,' he said in the clip. He jokingly referred to the album's working title as Look Up Two, but then added with a smile, 'I don't think it'll be called that.' Few Details Are Available For the moment, details about Starr's upcoming album are scarce, but that's likely only because it's still early days when it comes to putting the project together. The set, which doesn't have a real title or release date yet, will be Starr's twenty-second as a soloist. Look Up Was Something Different The upcoming effort will follow Look Up, his country-leaning full-length released in January 2025, which marked his first studio album in nearly six years. That project was a stylistic pivot for Starr, as it leaned into Americana and roots sounds. Fans embraced the sonic move, and Look Up was a relative commercial success in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Touring Picks Up Again in September While Starr is focused on recording for now, he'll soon be back on the road. The second leg of his U.S. tour is set to kick off on September 10 in Chicago. The next piece of the run will wrap with a six-night Las Vegas residency at the Venetian Theatre, which opens on September 17 and runs through September 27. Ringo Starr's Creative Push This upcoming collection will seemingly build on the momentum of Look Up, which earned praise for everything from the production to Starr's decision to try something new and focus on a style that's growing in popularity. The album featured guest contributions from Billy Strings, Lucius, Molly Tuttle, and Alison Krauss, who all rank among the most celebrated names in Americana at the moment.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
SC enhances compensation to farmers whose lands acquired in Maharashtra
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday enhanced the compensation granted to farmers whose lands were acquired in 1994 for setting up an industrial area in Maharashtra. A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih was deciding the pleas challenging an April 2022 order of the Bombay High Court, which had dismissed the appeals filed by the farmers. 'We direct that the compensation granted to the appellants be enhanced from Rs 32,000 per acre to Rs 58,320 per acre," the bench held. The court observed farmers' land was situated in a 'prime location" and they deserved the benefit of the highest sale exemplar. The bench noted it could have remitted the matter to the high court for a fresh consideration but said appellants were farmers and their land was acquired by the respondent-state in the early 1990s, and it was only appropriate for it to decide if they ought to be granted compensation on the basis of the highest exemplar sale deed. The top court referred to the settled position of law stipulating when there were several exemplars with reference to similar land, 'usually the highest of the exemplars, which is a bona-fide transaction, will be considered". The bench said it was also settled that compensation payable to the land owner was determined by reference to the price which a seller might reasonably expect to obtain from a willing purchaser. Dealing with the case, the bench said the land was acquired for public purpose for the establishment of Jintur industrial area. While allowing the appeals, the bench set aside the high court order. The appellants were stated to be farmers and owners of the lands situated at Pungala village in Maharashtra's Parbhani district . The bench said in December 1994, the state took possession of the appellants' land and an award was passed by the Land Acquisition Officer. It noted the total compensation awarded was Rs 45,70,508. Being aggrieved by the quantum of compensation awarded, the appellants moved the reference court and later to the high court. PTI ABA ABA AMK AMK view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 20:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
SC takes suo motu notice of news over dog bite leading to rabies
Agency: Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a media report of dog bite incident leading to rabies, saying it contained some 'alarming and disturbing figures". A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan termed the news item published today in Delhi edition of English daily Times of India as 'very disturbing and alarming". The news report was about the death of a six-year-old girl, who was attacked by a rabid stray dog, in the national capital. Taking cognisance of the news report, the bench said, 'The news item contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts." It said every day, hundreds of dog bites were being reported in the city and on its outskirts, leading to rabies and ultimately, children and aged were falling prey to the dreadful disease. 'We take suo motu cognisance of this news item," the bench ordered. It asked the apex court registry to register it as a suo motu petition in public interest. On July 15, while hearing a separate plea alleging harassment over feeding of community dogs in Noida, the apex court had asked the petitioner, 'Why don't you feed them in your own house?" The top court told the petitioner's counsel, 'We should leave every lane, every road open for these large hearted people? There is all space for these animals, no space for humans. Why don't you feed them in your own house? Nobody is stopping you." The observations came in a plea arising out of a March 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court. The petitioner claimed harassment and said she was unable to feed community dogs in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules. PTI ABA ABA AMK AMK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 15:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Finextra
5 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
Australians embrace digital banking as digital wallet use surges
Australian consumers are adopting digital banking services in increasing numbers with 99.3% of transactions taking place over digital channels, including A$160bn in payments made via mobile wallets. 0 This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community. The increased use of digital wallets is the standout statistic from the latest report published by the Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) on consumer trends. According to the ABA, more than four billion payments were made via mobile wallets in the last year, which is 11 times more than the 353 million ATM cash withdrawals which were valued at A$106bn. Digital banking interactions have increased by 70% since 2019 while the value of mobile payments has increased 23-fold in the same time period including a 28% increase in the last year alone. Meanwhile ATM cash withdrawals and branch banking have continued to decrease with mobile wallet transactions overtaking ATM withdrawals in 2023. According to ABA chief Anna Bligh, the statistics show Australian consumers' "overwhelming appetite for speed and convenience". 'We are undergoing a massive transformation in how people bank in this country,' said Bligh. 'Making payments with your phone is also now the norm for millions of customers. "Mobile wallet usage continues to surge and is closing in on the use of physical cards or cash." Yet despite the clear preference for digital banking channels, Bligh and the ABA insist that there remains a place for the use of cash. "Digital is now the norm, yet banks continue to invest in face-to-face banking options for Australians who want to use them," said Bligh. "Australia's banks maintain a denser commercial branch network than comparably urbanised OECD peers." The report comes six months after the ABA called for the Australian government to introduce regulation for the country's rapidly growing mobile wallet market. 'With mobile wallets becoming a dominant force in Australia's payments architecture - it's only fair that global tech companies are subject to the same oversight and consumer protection laws as the rest of the payments system," said Bligh back in February.
