Latest news with #Balachandar
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Domestic garment makers hope for better days with curb on imports
With India restricting import of readymade garments from Bangladesh through land ports, domestic garment manufacturers hope to see revival in orders. In a notification issued on May 17, the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said readymade garments can be imported from Bangladesh only through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata ports. 'Dealers in northern States were able to get hold of cheap imported garments that cost almost 20% lesser than Tiruppur products. The situation worsened in the last 2-3 years,' said S. Balachandar, vice-president of the South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association. 'Now, the garments can be brought in only through sea ports. This will reduce the illegal entry of ready-made garments. The undergarments made in Tiruppur will be competitive cost-wise with the goods coming by sea. In a couple of months, we hope to see orders increasing for MSMEs in Tiruppur,' he said. Imports of low-priced garments in huge quantities will certainly reduce now, he said. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), quoting trade data, said India imported readymade garments worth $634 million in 2024, which saw 19% CAGR growth in the last 10 years. Total textile and apparel exports from India to Bangladesh in 2024 were $3.2 billion and exports from Bangladesh to India were $1.07 billion. Though India has a trade surplus with Bangladesh in textiles and apparel, its exports grew 4.97% (CAGR) between 2015 and 2024, while Bangladesh's exports to India grew 12.87%. Garments worth ₹5,000 crore to ₹6,000 crore are imported by India from Bangladesh annually, including those by the unorganised sector. 'The DGFT decision will reduce the backdoor entry of Chinese fabrics that were getting converted in Bangladesh and entering India without duty,' said Sanjay Jain, chairman of the National Committee of Experts for Textiles, Indian Chamber of Commerce. Rahul Mehta, chief mentor of Cloth Manufacturers Association of India, said Bangladesh imports cost 12-15% less compared with Indian products. These imports will now shift to sea ports, escalating the cost by almost 10% and increasing the delivery time. This is likely to make Indian buyers look to domestic suppliers, he said. However, industry representatives point out that a majority of the imports is by retail chains. It remains to be seen how buyers will react to the restriction. According to Mithileshwar Thakur, Secretary General of AEPC, restrictions on garment imports from Bangladesh will disrupt the supply chain in the short term. However, since most of the imports are by large retailers, the long-term impact will depend on how effective the sea trade is. For low or medium-volume imports, land ports will be preferred. Rakesh Mehra, chairman of the Confederation, said the DGFT decision will create new opportunities for domestic garment manufacturers. It will also enable Indian cotton yarn exporters to redirect their supply to the domestic market. Bangladesh imposed a restriction last month on export of cotton yarn from India, which traditionally accounts for nearly 45% of India's total cotton yarn exports, he said. Industry sources said the retail chains in India import manmade fibre (MMF) garments mainly from Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. Readymade garments from Bangladesh continue to enjoy zero duty access in India, giving the imports a cost advantage. The government should ban import of garments from China and review the duty free access for Bangladesh garments so that the domestic textile chain revives, they said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nexus Diaries' New Initiative Advances Authentic Human Expression in AI Technologies
New Initiative Supports Thought Leaders Creating Authentic, Human-Centered AI Technologies While Maintaining Digital Ethics Chester Springs, PA , May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- , a pioneering media relations firm specializing in , today announced the launch of its Patron Fund Program designed to support innovators who integrate human elements within AI technologies. The initiative aims to nurture the growing ecosystem of ethical AI development while promoting authentic content creation in an increasingly automated digital Synergy: Creating Beyond BoundriesThe Patron Fund Program will provide financial backing, media exposure, and strategic guidance to selected businesses and thought leaders who demonstrate commitment to maintaining the human dimension in their AI solutions. This initiative comes at a critical time when prompt engineering is evolving beyond digital outputs toward integration with physical experiences. As the standards around the ethical use of AI continue to evolve, Nexus Diaries is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where authentic content creation is enhanced by AI technologies. In today's digital landscape, AI is often utilized for quick search results and enhancing user experiences. However, the challenge remains in maintaining content authenticity while leveraging AI to boost productivity. recognizes the importance of integrating human creativity with AI capabilities to ensure that content remains genuine and impactful. 'The content creation space is vast and evolving,' said Harini Balachandar, CEO of Nexus Diaries. 'It is now in the hands of the next generation to make efficient use of this technology while keeping our organic CPU alive, active, and smarter than AI can become. This is crucial to hold stronger than ever to our human integrity.' The Patron Fund helps sustain the mission of this platform to support thought leaders who are pioneering in the AI space, encouraging them to incorporate human elements into their technological innovations. aims to partner with businesses contributing to AI advancements, creating blogs, articles, and press releases that highlight these partnerships and the value they add to the human aspect of technology. 'As AI capabilities expand, we're witnessing a crucial inflection point where human creativity must be preserved and celebrated alongside technological advancement,' added Balachandar. 'Our Patron Fund Program isn't just about sustaining a platform dedicated to ethical content creation — it's about ensuring humanity remains at the center of our technological future.' The program emerges from Nexus Diaries' extensive work with AI-focused partners, where the company has observed firsthand the challenges of balancing innovation with authentic human expression. By highlighting these partnerships through , the company has built a reputation as a trusted voice in the evolving conversation around ethical AI implementation. Unlike traditional funding initiatives, the Patron Fund is structured as a one-time contribution from participating partners rather than an ongoing application process. This approach allows Nexus Diaries to create immediate impact with selected thought leaders who are advancing the human-centered AI movement. For complete details about the Patron Fund Program, visit . About Nexus Diaries At Nexus Diaries, we transform your brand's message into a powerful digital presence. We craft strategic content that resonates with your audience and amplifies your business value. By leveraging media relations, search engine optimization, and human-AI collaboration, we ensure your message not only reaches but deeply engages with your target audience. Press inquiries Nexus Diaries Harini Balachandar hello@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Green T. N. Mission: Forest Dept. plants Casuarina equisetifolia saplings, palmyra seeds along Attangarai sea shore
with pic (Balachandar) RAMANATHAPURAM The Forest Department under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission has planted Casuarina equisetifolia (savukku maram) saplings and palmyra seeds along the coastal boundary of Attangarai in Ramanathapuram district. As the project aims for the rehabilitation of the coastal habitats through formation of a bio-shied, it was believed to protect the neighbouring areas from strong winds rising from the sea, said S. Hemalatha, District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram district. This would also be a natural shelter from any disaster or strong waves or even erosion, she added. Under the project, 20,000 Casuarina equisetifolia saplings and 50,000 palmyra seeds were placed . The fully grown trees could control the wind flow that is directed towards the land from the sea, she noted. 'Crops that are grown near the seashore could also be saved from heavy winds,' she noted. Similarly, in Sayalkudi Reserve Forest, along the boundary, 10,000 Casuarina equisetifolia saplings were planted, and inside the forest area, one lakh palmyra seeds were planted, Ms. Hemalatha said. As the trees would be forming a natural boundary for the reserved forest, intrusion of outsiders would be prevented, she noted. Though the project does not cover the maintenance works, the forest department has arranged for maintenance along with the locals, she added. Further, she said that produce from the trees could also be utilised by the public.
