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New Delhi, July 24: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) raised around Rs 3,752 crore through nearly 80 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) during the January-June period, reflecting continued investor interest in smaller businesses seeking capital market access, according to a report.

The strong fundraising activity highlights the growing role of SME platforms in enabling emerging companies to raise funds for expansion, capacity building, technology upgrades and strengthening their business operations.

The report noted that the SME IPO segment has witnessed significant participation from companies across diverse sectors, as businesses increasingly explore public markets as an alternative source of funding.

Market experts said the rise in SME listings indicates growing confidence among investors in entrepreneurial ventures, while also providing smaller firms with greater visibility and opportunities for long-term growth.

However, experts also cautioned that investors should carefully evaluate business fundamentals, financial performance and growth prospects before investing in SME offerings, given the relatively higher risks associated with smaller companies.

The continued momentum in SME IPO activity underscores the evolving landscape of India’s capital markets and the increasing participation of smaller enterprises in the country’s economic growth story.

New Delhi, July 24: India’s private sector remained in expansion territory in July, with the HSBC Flash India Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registering 54.3, indicating continued growth despite a moderation in business activity. The index, compiled by S&P Global, remained above the crucial 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction.

The latest PMI reading, however, reflected a slowdown in the pace of growth compared with June’s 57.1, as weaker momentum in the services sector weighed on overall private sector performance. Services activity eased to a 53-month low, while manufacturing showed greater resilience and continued to support economic expansion.

Export demand provided a positive boost, with international sales recording strong growth. Businesses also continued to increase hiring, reflecting confidence in sustained demand conditions.

Companies reported rising input costs driven by higher fuel, labour, material and transportation expenses. Businesses responded by increasing output prices, indicating renewed pressure on margins and inflation trends.

Commenting on the survey findings, economists noted that while growth momentum has moderated, India’s private sector continues to demonstrate resilience amid global uncertainties and changing market conditions. The expansion in PMI signals ongoing economic activity, even as businesses remain cautious about cost pressures and demand challenges.

July, 24: Over the decades the PUMA Suede has moved through scenes, styles, and generations, constantly redefined by the people who wore it. Today, A$AP ROCKY brings his own perspective to the classic. Reviving an iconic design from the ‘90s with nods to New York street culture, the A$AP ROCKY x PUMA Suede ’94 reimagines heritage details through his lens.

As culture, fashion, and personal identity remain in a constant state of evolution, the PUMA Suede remains a constant. Familiar, grounded, and unmistakably itself. Woven into scenes and communities across generations, it stands as a symbol of effortless style and enduring relevance.

As PUMA’s Creative Director for over three years, A$AP Rocky has had the opportunity to decide which footwear styles appeal most to him and his culture. He wanted to lean on nostalgia and bring back a 90’s style.

In his version, design elements such as a raw-edge padded tongue, retro woven label, and slimmer tooling shape are complemented by bespoke touches including a gold PUMA lace keeper and custom shoebox. The most defining visual difference is the full retro PUMA logo on the quarter panel. No other iteration has ever done this, and it makes the ’94 instantly identifiable.

A$AP Rocky gravitated toward the ’94 Suede for good reason. It wasn’t just that it looked right. It was that the shoe was born from a moment that shaped him. New York in 1994 sat at the apex of hip-hop’s Golden Era, the birth of modern streetwear, and a gritty downtown skate scene all colliding at once. The ’94 Suede didn’t just exist alongside those movements. It was part of the outfit.

“I remember when my mom bought me my first pair of suedes,” said A$AP Rocky. “Growing up in New York and seeing Walt Clyde Frazier with his style and his PUMA suedes, they were the shoes. And now to be able to tap into that 90s nostalgia and bring them back with my own creative lens and special details, it’s great. PUMA hasn’t brought the ’94 back since it dropped and reviving it stitch-for-stitch from the archive just felt right.”

The A$AP Rocky x PUMA Suede ’94 is available on July 16th worldwide at PUMA.com, PUMA retail stores and select accounts. On Thursday, July 15th, A$AP Rocky will be hosting a pop-up shop at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown, NYC from 4-8PM EST. Consumers can be the first to purchase the shoe before anyone else at this location only.

July 24: The India International Travel Mart Bengaluru 2026, one of South India’s premier B2B travel and tourism exhibitions, was inaugurated by Mr. KJ George, Honourable Minister for Energy and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, at Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru. 

The Guests of Honour at the Inauguration of the ‘India International Travel Mart’, were Dr. V Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS, Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka, Mr. Shivaprasad PR, IAS, Managing Director, KSTDC Ltd., Mr. Sivaram Babu, IFS, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd., Mr. K Syamaraju, President, SIHRA and Karnataka Tourism Society, Mr. Amish Desai, MC Member, TAAI, Ms. Jyoti Varma, Country Manager – India, Global Business Travel Association, Smt. Sanjeevi Singh, Chairperson – South India, ETAA, Mr. Mahalingaiah, Chairman, IATO, Mr. Ganesh Basavaraj, Vice President, Karnataka Tourism Forum.

The three-day exhibition, being held from 23–25 July 2026, has brought together leading tourism boards, state tourism departments, international destinations, hotels and resorts, airlines, cruise companies, destination management companies, travel technology providers, travel agents and tourism service providers from across India and overseas.

The event serves as a vibrant business platform for the travel fraternity to showcase new products, strengthen partnerships and explore emerging opportunities in one of India’s fastest-growing travel markets. 

Buyers from Bengaluru and key feeder markets including Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupati and other cities across South India are participating in large numbers.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Sri K.J. George,  Minister for Energy and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, said,

“Tourism continues to be a significant contributor to Karnataka’s economy, creating employment, promoting entrepreneurship and showcasing our rich cultural and natural heritage. Platforms such as the India International Travel Mart play a vital role in connecting destinations with the industry, encouraging collaborations and enhancing Karnataka’s position as a preferred tourism destination. I congratulate the organisers for bringing together the tourism fraternity under one roof and wish the event every success.”

Tourism Secretary, V Ram Prasath Manohar added

“the sector plays a larger role than attracting visitors, and contributes immensely to employment generation, investment and economic development. Our goal is to position Karnataka as India’s preferred tourism destination by fostering strong partnerships between the government, investors and the tourism industry.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., organisers of IITM, said:

 “Bengaluru has always been one of India’s most dynamic travel markets, making it an ideal destination for the India International Travel Mart. IITM continues to provide a highly effective business platform where exhibitors can engage directly with quality travel buyers, tour operators, corporate planners and industry professionals. The enthusiastic response from exhibitors and buyers reflects the growing confidence and optimism within the travel and tourism sector.”

The exhibition features over 850 exhibitors representing diverse tourism products including domestic and international destinations, luxury and leisure travel, pilgrimage, adventure tourism, wellness tourism, MICE, cruises, hospitality, travel technology, insurance and allied services. In addition to the exhibition, IITM Bengaluru offers an extensive programme of business networking sessions, destination presentations, product launches and B2B meetings, enabling exhibitors and buyers to establish meaningful business relationships and develop new market opportunities.

Over the past two decades, the India International Travel Mart has established itself as one of India’s most trusted travel trade exhibitions, connecting the travel industry with high-quality buyers across major source markets. The Bengaluru edition is expected to generate significant business opportunities while further strengthening the travel and tourism ecosystem.

Highlights:

The time has come to explore new destinations and enjoy the sensations of the world as the Indian passport continues to gain popularity! The IITM is a fantastic way to connect, network, and conduct business since it draws partners from all over the world. 

• Biggest variety of holiday packages of over 1000 destinations in India and abroad.

• This year, find more than 850 exhibitors showcasing over 25 International destinations and 20 Indian tourism destinations making it one of the highlights of your search for that perfect travel partnership.

• Karnataka is the host state for the event

• Odisha Tourism, Kerala and Rajasthan Tourism are the Partner States

• Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh Tourism are the Feature States

• Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Meghalaya, Diu and Daman and Lakshadweep are the Focus Destinations.

• Fly91 is the Partner Airline for the event

• View ‘Incredible India’ with all its amazing hues and peerless vibrancy.

• A once-a-year opportunity for travel agents and tour operators to reach out to partners from more than 25 International destinations and over 25 Indian states.

• Add more to your travel portfolio

• Adventure – International Destinations – Visas – Pilgrimage – Cultural pursuits – Wildlife – Conference – Wedding Destinations – pure joy!

Sphere TravelMedia Director, Sanjay Hakhu, added:

 “Bengaluru has consistently emerged as one of India’s strongest source markets for domestic, international, leisure, pilgrimage and business travel. The city offers tremendous opportunities for tourism stakeholders to engage with a knowledgeable travel trade and an increasingly travel-savvy consumer base, making IITM an ideal platform for business generation. Tourism thrives on collaboration. The India International Travel Mart provides an environment where tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel agencies, technology companies and service providers can come together to forge new partnerships, exchange ideas and create sustainable business opportunities that benefit the entire travel ecosystem.”

Highlights:

The time has come to explore new destinations and enjoy the sensations of the world as the Indian passport continues to gain popularity! The IITM is a fantastic way to connect, network, and conduct business since it draws partners from all over the world. 

• Biggest variety of holiday packages of over 1000 destinations in India and abroad.

• This year, find more than 250 exhibitors showcasing over 8 International destinations and 20 Indian tourism destinations making it one of the highlights of your search for that perfect travel partnership.

• Karnataka is the host state for the event

• Odisha Tourism, Kerala and Rajasthan Tourism are the Partner States

• Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Tourism are the Feature States

• Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Delhi are the Focus States for the event.

• View ‘Incredible India’ with all its amazing hues and peerless vibrancy.

• A once-a-year opportunity for travel agents and tour operators to reach out to partners from more than 25 International destinations and over 25 Indian states.

• Add more to your travel portfolio

• Adventure – International Destinations – Visas – Pilgrimage – Cultural pursuits – Wildlife – Conference – Wedding Destinations – pure joy!

Bucharest, July 24, 2026: President Droupadi Murmu received a ceremonial welcome at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest from Romanian President Nicușor Dan, marking an important step in strengthening India-Romania bilateral relations.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn 

The two leaders held constructive and forward-looking discussions covering key areas of cooperation, including economic engagement, technology, education, culture, and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, as well as opportunities for greater collaboration at multilateral forums.

During the occasion, India and Romania signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at expanding cooperation in the fields of science and technology, sports, and education. The agreements include collaboration in scientific research, sports development, and the establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Bucharest.

The agreements are expected to further deepen institutional partnerships, encourage knowledge exchange, and enhance cooperation between the two countries across diverse sectors.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-Romania partnership and exploring new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and shared interests.

The visit highlights the continued strengthening of diplomatic ties between India and Romania and reflects both nations’ commitment to expanding their strategic cooperation.