Latest news with #Rajendra
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Karnataka Tourism Dept. to soon launch waterfall tours
To encourage responsible and safe monsoon tourism, the State Department of Tourism and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) plans to curate 'waterfalls tour' packages. While the tours were initially planned to be launched in July, due to the high intensity of monsoon, it is likely to be launched by the end of August or beginning of September. 'We have some hidden gems in our tourist destinations, including nature trails and waterfalls apart from the already well-known ones like Jog Falls and Gokak Falls. We have already identified such destinations, and we want to create a circuit around the same,' K.V. Rajendra, director, Tourism Department and managing director of KSTDC told The Hindu. The destinations have been identified in the districts of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu, and Belagavi. Tourists can choose to either integrate these destinations into the already existing packages of KSTDC or get a customised waterfalls itinerary. Those who would like to travel in bigger groups can utilise KSTDC buses for these tours. The services of local guides and naturalists will also be included in the packages. While there is currently no direct option available to book the tours, interested travellers can book them by sending an email found on the enquiry section of KSTDC website, officials said. Weather caused delay The officials of the Tourism Department said that many who tried to explore unknown destinations during this year's monsoon got stuck in remote areas as weather conditions worsened. 'We decided to postpone the launch of these tours while we wait for the intensity of monsoons to reduce. Places like Dakshina Kannada and Sakleshpura in Hassan district are prone to landslides, and it will be dangerous to travel during those times. Our goal is to promote responsible tourism and ensure the safety of tourists,' Mr. Rajendra said. 'The destinations we have selected will have an after-rain effect in the upcoming months, providing beautiful scenery to tourists. Our waterfalls are usually full until December–January. That is why we did not want to conduct the tours at a time when the monsoon is heavy, nor during times when the water bodies are dry,' he noted. KSTDC currently conducts similar tours to popular destinations. This includes the Krishnagiri Dam – Hogenakkal Falls Tour, Shivanasamudra – Talakadu and Sigandhur – Jog Falls Tour. Online vehicular slots To regulate the number of visitors and vehicles that ply in the area around Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, located in Chikkamagaluru district, the district administration will introduce an online vehicular slot system in the upcoming week. Although the system was announced last year, it will be launched in a few days. A total of 1,200 vehicles will be allowed in two slots (600 vehicles in each slot) — 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day, for which prior booking has to be made online. The parking facilities for these vehicles will be provided near Seethalayyanagiri, and from there, those who wish to proceed to the peak can take pre-approved vehicles or go on foot. 'If this model works, then we will replicate it in all the other hill stations that come under the Tourism Department, including Nandi Hills,' said Salma Fahim, principal secretary, Tourism Department.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- 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.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Gujrat tourist dies in paragliding mishap in Dharamshala
A 25-year-old tourist died in a paragliding accident while taking-off from a non-notified site at Bangotu which is above Indrunag paragliding site near Dharamshala on Sunday evening, said officials on Monday. Earlier this year, a 19-year-old female tourist also died in a paragliding accident on January 19 while taking-off at the Indrunag paragliding site in Dharamshala. (File) The deceased has been identified as Satish from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, they added. He was on a tandem flight and fell during take-off along with his pilot who also sustained injuries. Their paraglider crashed on the site. This is the second such incident in Dharamshala this year in which a tourist was killed in a paragliding mishap. The incident occurred around 4 pm on Sunday. Police officials said that the tourist was on a trip with his cousin in Dharamshala. The injured tourist was first taken to Zonal Hospital in Dharamshala from where he was referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda in Kangra, where he succumbed to his injuries. Kangra district tourism development officer Vinay Dhiman said, 'The preliminary inquiry suggests that the tandem flight's take-off was done from a site which is not notified, which is a complete violation of HP Aero-Sports Rules 2022, and the order of the high court wherein it has been mentioned that no site can be operated without a marshal. Neither this site is notified, nor was there any marshal present there. We have asked the sub-divisional regulatory authority, Dharamshala, to take cognisance of the incident. We have issued show-cause notices to both pilot and the operator and appropriate action will be taken as per the law after their response is received.' Meanwhile, police officials also said that they are investigating the incident. Earlier this year, a 19-year-old female tourist also died in a paragliding accident on January 19 while taking-off at the Indrunag paragliding site in Dharamshala.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Rag-picker-turned-thief arrested in Bengaluru, Rs 75 lakh worth valuables recovered
BENGALURU: This is a rags-to-riches story, but with a twist. Balaji alias Khadeema Prakash, 43, began his tryst with Bengaluru by scrounging for rags in streets. It, however, was not enough to meet his addiction for drugs, alcohol and betting. Starting 2001, Balaji began to steal gold, silver and other valuables from homes and selling them to a receiver. Finally the Madiwala police caught up with him and the receiver, Rajendra alias Rajiv Gandhi, a tailor. The police have charged Balaji for theft in 133 houses and recovered stolen articles worth Rs 75 lakh, including 779 grams of gold ornaments, 100 grams of silver items and two two-wheelers. Balaji is a resident of Yadavanahalli near Attibele while Rajendra is a resident of Govindashetty Palya. The modus operandi of the accused was to look for flats or individual buildings that were for sale. In the guise of a prospective buyer, he would gain the confidence of the owners and without their notice he was either stealing the door keys or was taking the picture of the keys on his mobile. The accused would go back after six months and check if there were more footwear of women outside the flats or buildings assuming that such houses would be having more ornaments. He would wait for the residents to go outside by locking the door and then enter using the duplicate keys and escaping with the valuables. 'To mislead the police, he would pose as a delivery boy by wearing e-commerce platforms T shirts at the time of committing thefts. Betting, drugs, alcohol were his addiction and he was into stealing to source money for his habits. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths who had arrested him in May last year had sent him to jail. After coming out of the jail, he committed thefts at 13 more houses. Fearing that he would be caught, he was also not using mobile phone. However the police were monitoring his wife and associates' phone calls that led to his whereabouts,' said an officer. The accused had committed thefts in Madiwala, HSR Layout, Bandepalya, MICO Layout, Hulimavu and areas in the city.
India Gazette
27-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Himachal CM to visit Rajendra Prasad Govt Medical College Tanda
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 28 (ANI): In a bid to further strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is set to visit Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda. As part of the visit, a detailed presentation will be made on the ongoing and proposed improvements in medical services and infrastructure at the institute. The Chief Minister will also engage in an interactive session with the faculty members to gather feedback and suggestions, focusing on enhancing healthcare delivery at this key medical institution, a release said. Under the leadership of CM, Himachal Pradesh has made remarkable strides in modernising and expanding the reach of its healthcare services throughout the state, a state government spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the government has ensured judicious use of resources to transform the Health sector. This was stated by a spokesperson of the state government here on Friday. The government has taken several revolutionary steps that have significantly enhanced the reach and quality of healthcare across Himachal. Several hospitals have been upgraded, new sub-health centers and primary health centres have been opened and upgraded and new block medical offices have been notified, a release said. This visit is part of a broader initiative by the Chief Minister to strengthen the state's health system through direct dialogue with medical professionals. Recently, he held similar interactions with faculty members of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, and the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiana. These discussions revolved around the challenges facing the health sector in the coming years and explored practical, forward-looking solutions. The state government's commitment to improving health services and ensuring all necessary support to medical colleges based on their requirements. This proactive approach underscores the government's resolve to provide accessible, quality healthcare across the state, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the Chief Minister has made it clear that machines and equipment which are in use for over 20 years would be replaced within one year. Robotic surgery would be started in AIMSS Chamiana. The government was establishing 69 Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans in each of the 68 assembly constituencies, with two in Lahaul and Spiti. These institutions are already functional in most of the constituencies with provision of six specialists in each Adarsh Sansthan. These institutions would offer 134 diagnostic tests, and modern infrastructure, including ultrasound and digital X-ray services. The state government has made a provision of Rs 1,730 crore for financial year 2025-26 in order to procure modern medical equipment for medical colleges, civil and regional hospitals, and community health centres. Dialysis facilities are being provided in 20 Adarsh Swasthya Sansthaan and would be set up in remaining 49 institutions with an estimated cost of 41.62 crore. Blood storage units would also be set up in 11 institutions. The state government was also equipping IGMC Shimla, AIIMS Chamiyana, Hamirpur and Nerchowk medical colleges with advanced diagnostic services, including MRI machines. A PET scan facility would soon be started in the IGMC Shimla. These efforts are steering Himachal Pradesh towards becoming a model state in healthcare. (ANI)
