Latest news with #SPMU
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chandigarh selected for pilot phase of Naksha project to digitise urban land records
CHANDIGARH : Chandigarh has been selected as one of the 152 urban local bodies (ULBs) across 26 states and three union territories participating in the pilot phase of the 'Naksha' project. The coverage area in Chandigarh includes five villages — Sarangpur , Burail , Kajheri , Palsora, and Attawa — and Sectors 2 to 17 (excluding Sector 13), encompassing a total area of 30.61 square kilometres with a population of 1.48 lakh. The need for the 'Naksha' project arises from longstanding challenges such as inadequate maintenance of urban land records, rapid urbanisation, the increasing economic value of land, frequent ownership disputes, hurdles in infrastructure development, difficulties in property transactions and credit accessibility, and the lack of transparency, accessibility, and accuracy in existing land information systems. To address these concerns, the 'Naksha' project aims to digitise and modernise urban land records, thereby promoting transparency, enhancing administrative efficiency, and driving economic growth. Expected outcomes of the project include the creation of accurate and up-to-date digital urban land records, reduction in land disputes through improved legal clarity, more efficient urban planning, financial strengthening of ULBs, simplified property transactions, improved credit facilitation, and enhanced public trust in governance. The initiative also aims to curb corruption and fraud, thus fostering an environment conducive to real estate and infrastructure investment and boosting the overall ease of doing business. The Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, was appointed as the nodal officer for the pilot implementation of the 'Naksha' project. In support of the initiative, a state project management unit (SPMU) was established, and 20 dedicated field survey teams were deployed. Recognising the importance of information, education, and communication (IEC) in today's digital age, official social media accounts were created on platforms including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for all five villages and the covered sectors in Chandigarh to disseminate information and engage with the public effectively. The department of land resources (DoLR), ministry of rural development, Govt of India, launched the National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (Naksha) as a flagship initiative under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). This transformative project aims to modernise and streamline the creation and management of urban land records across the country. The 'Naksha' initiative endeavours to establish a comprehensive and precise geospatial database for urban land records. Leveraging a combination of aerial imagery, field surveys, and cutting-edge Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, the programme is poised to enhance the efficiency of urban land governance, ensure accurate documentation of property ownership, and support integrated urban planning. The availability of precise geospatial data is expected to lead to better decision-making, optimal land use, and seamless property transactions.
Entrepreneur
23-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Beauty to Business: The Rise of Self-Made Beauty Entrepreneur Ashley Aquilina
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a world saturated with trends and influencers, few stories stand out like that of Ashley Aquilina, a British beautician who turned her passion into a thriving beauty business. From a £4 -an-hour job at a spa in her hometown of Manchester, to launching a mobile beauty business in her local area, Aquilina's career trajectory changed when her mother helped her find a lucrative niche. "When I was 23, I had my brows tattooed for the first time, and my mum advised I should learn how to do this. Semi-permanent makeup (SPMU) wasn't big at the time, but I followed my instinct—and it's been the best decision I've made," she says. Before long, her mobile beauty business evolved into a specialist business focused on semi-permanent makeup, servicing clients in Manchester and Dubai. "Four years ago, I expanded by launching my own academy and online SPMU product shop." Looking back at the early days, Aquilina says that the biggest challenge was financial. "Working in salons paid poorly, and being self-employed was risky, especially without consistent client flow," she explains. "There was also the pressure of educating clients about treatments that weren't yet mainstream, like SPMU back then. But I believed in the quality of my work and stayed persistent." Today, Aquilina specializes in beauty treatments for eyebrows (microblading, ombre brows, and combination brows) and lips (lip blush). "Currently, I have a small but dedicated team that helps manage the academy, product orders, and client bookings. I work closely with my staff to ensure the business still feels personal and high quality—something I've always valued," she explains. Ashley Aquilina Academy was borne out of her desire to help aspiring beauty professionals build a lucrative career. In a blog post on her website, Aquilina lays out the full cost breakdown with complete transparency- investing between £1,200 and £4,000 in microblading training can lead to a monthly income of £5,000 to £32,500. "After years of perfecting my craft, I realized there were so many aspiring artists who lacked guidance and proper education," she explains. "I created my academy to empower others—to teach them not just the technique, but the business side of beauty too. My courses are designed for beginners as well as professionals looking to upskill." Ashley Aquilina, founder of Ashley Aquilina Academy. On her main learnings from this part of her business, Aquilina says, "I've learned that teaching is an art in itself. People learn differently, and it's so important to provide not just information, but mentorship and confidence-building. It's also taught me how fulfilling it is to watch others succeed from something I helped them achieve." Her curiosity and ambition eventually brought her to Dubai, a place she had long considered "full of opportunity, especially in beauty." She explains, "I noticed that SPMU was in demand here, and the entrepreneurial culture really aligned with my mindset. I knew I had something valuable to offer, and I wanted to grow beyond the UK." However, entering the the Dubai beauty market was no easy feat. "The biggest challenge was adapting to a new market with different regulations, consumer behaviors, and even cultural expectations," Aquilina explains. "It took time to understand the licensing and legal requirements to operate professionally. I overcame these challenges by researching thoroughly, networking with other professionals in the region, and staying adaptable." When it comes to style and consumer expectations, the markets of the UK and the UAE have its differences, Aquilina says. "The UAE market is more trend-driven and fast-paced. Clients expect a very high level of service and are willing to invest in luxury treatments. In the UK, clients are sometimes more reserved in their approach, and trends can take a bit longer to catch on. However, both markets value quality, trust, and professionalism—which I always aim to deliver." Her future plans include expanding her training courses further internationally, introducing more advanced education options, and growing her online store. "I'm also exploring brand collaborations and product development, especially in the SPMU space." Aquilina is equally passionate about both artistry and entrepreneurship which might be the secret to her success. "I'm passionate about the creative side—brows, lips, pigments—but I also love the business side. I schedule time for both. I treat my artistry like a craft I constantly refine, while also focusing on growing the academy, brand, and online store," she concludes.
