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FICCI CASCADE, Ministry of Consumer Affairs join hands to encourage youth to participate in nation building

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FICCIs Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) has joined hands with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to encourage the countrys youth to be part of the socio-economic development of the nation by creating a youth movement against smuggling and counterfeiting.

In this endeavour, FICCI CASCADE in association with the Ministry is organising a painting competition on the theme “Youth for Socio-Economic Development – Paving the Way for India’s Amrit Kaal”.

With the objective to generate awareness on the adverse impacts of smuggling and counterfeiting, especially among school children who are the consumers of tomorrow, this competition is being organised as a run-up to the World Consumer Rights Day celebrations by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

This day, which is celebrated world over on March 15, stands in solidarity with the international consumer movement, demanding consumer rights to be respected and protected.

The inter-school painting competition is open for students from Class IX to XII from schools across the country. The top three entries will receive a certificate of recognition, along with cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000, respectively.

The participants can send their work at cascade@ficci.com by March 2. The winners will be awarded during the World Consumer Rights Day celebrations organised by the Ministry.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, said, “Our future generations are the hope for real change, empowering and strengthening them to act for national development will help in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.

“World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year by our ministry to protect the rights of consumers and to ensure that the consumers are not subjected to market abuse or social injustice that may undermine their rights.”

According to a 2019 FICCI CASCADE study, large scale smuggling in only five Indian industries resulted in a loss of Rs 1,17,253 crore to the economy. It also led to 16.36 lakh job losses.

Currently, India is the fastest-growing economy and is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2035. At this stage, it is imperative to put an end to smuggling and counterfeiting, which have the potential to derail the country’s growth momentum.

Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE, said, “The youth of India are the country’s future. As India marks 75 years of its Independence and enters into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long Lead up to India@100, the youth will play a pivotal role in nation building and advocating socially responsible behaviour towards the country’s development.”

FICCI CASCADE is a dedicated forum on the agenda of combating smuggling and counterfeiting. Over the years, FICCI CASCADE is working on creating awareness on tackling this problem which is a serious threat to public health and safety. Along with policy makers, industry, enforcement officials and media, CASCADE has been working closely with the country’s youth in its fight to address this issue through various inter-school and inter-college competitions and programmes.

In a global first, FICCI CASCADE also launched the Anti-Smuggling Day on February 11 this year to raise greater consciousness and create a global response in addressing this menace.

Business

Emami Q1 net profit falls 16 pc to Rs 137 crore

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Mumbai, Aug 4: FMCG major Emami Limited on Tuesday reported a 16.38 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit for the quarter ended June 2026 (Q1 FY27).

The Kolkata-based FMCG company posted a net profit of Rs 137.3 crore for the quarter, compared with Rs 164.2 crore in the corresponding period last financial year (Q1 FY26), according to its stock exchange filing.

Despite the decline in profit, the maker of popular brands such as BoroPlus, Navratna and Zandu recorded healthy growth in revenue.

Revenue from operations rose 14.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,039.2 crore in the June quarter, up from Rs 904.1 crore a year ago.

At the operating level, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 5.5 per cent to Rs 226.18 crore, compared with Rs 214.29 crore in the year-ago quarter.

However, operating margins narrowed during the quarter. EBITDA margin stood at 21.7 per cent, down from 23.7 per cent in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year, as per its regulatory filing.

Founded in 1974 by R.S. Agarwal and R.C. Goenka, Emami is one of India’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies.

The company has a strong presence in personal care and healthcare segments through brands including BoroPlus, Navratna, Zandu, Kesh King, Dermicool and The Man Company.

Headquartered in Kolkata, Emami has a footprint in more than 70 countries and operates through a network of over 4,000 distributors.

The company reported a turnover of Rs 3,780 crore in FY26 and continues to expand its presence across domestic and international markets.

The shares of the FMCG firm were trading at Rs 394, down 2.96 per cent or Rs 12 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

In last five days, the shares have delivered a negative return of 4.85 per cent or Rs 20.10.

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India aims 10,000 GI registrations by 2030, FTAs to expand global market access

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New Delhi, Aug 4: India’s Geographical Indication (GI) ecosystem is evolving into a bridge between tradition and opportunity and with a target of 10,000 GI registrations by 2030, the country is well positioned to strengthen its heritage economy and enhance the global presence of its unique regional products, an official factsheet said on Tuesday.

India is home to over 800 registered GI products and 607 GIs have been granted since 2014. In the last 10 years, authorised users for GI tags increased from 365 to 29,000 (as of January 2025).

Through the 2025 amendment, the fee for filing GI applications and related processes has been reduced by 80 per cent. The renewal fee for the tag has also been cut from Rs 3,000 down to just Rs 500.

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) enhance the value of GIs by expanding market access for distinctive regional products. GI tags certify authenticity and origin, while FTAs reduce trade barriers and improve export opportunities. Reflecting their growing importance, GIs have become a key issue in India’s trade negotiations, according to the statement.

By linking products to their place of origin, GI tags preserve traditional knowledge, prevent misuse, and enhance consumer trust. They help artisans, weavers, farmers, and producer groups secure better market recognition and gain access to premium markets.

According to the factsheet, India’s GI ecosystem has expanded significantly over the years, supported by a robust legal framework and growing public awareness.

Government initiatives are further strengthening this ecosystem through financial assistance, export promotion, tourism integration, and dedicated marketing platforms. Together, these efforts are transforming GI products into drivers of rural development, cultural preservation, and export-led growth.

“A GI tag serves as a seal of authenticity for artisanal crafts, safeguarding them against imitation, misuse, and unauthorised commercialisation. Its significance, however, extends far beyond legal protection,” said the statement.

For instance, the Channapatna toys received GI recognition in 2006.

This recognition applies only to wooden toys made in Karnataka’s Channapatna region. The toys must be produced using the region’s distinctive lacquerware art. Although it may appear to be a simple certification, the tag can deliver far-reaching benefits, the statement added.

A GI tag is more than a label. As per the Ministry of Textiles, it can raise rural artisans’ incomes by 20–30 per cent. By certifying a product’s origin and unique heritage, GI tags instil confidence among buyers and enhance the product’s market appeal.

Growing demand for GI-tagged products enables artisans to gain greater visibility, access premium markets, strengthen their bargaining power, and capture a larger share of the value generated by their work.

According to the statement. the recognition creates sustainable livelihood opportunities. They also play a vital role in preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous craftsmanship for future generations.

India is home to GI-tagged products across categories such as handicraft products, agricultural products, manufactured goods, food products and natural products.

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Uttar Pradesh moving from local to global: Piyush Goyal

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New Delhi, Aug 3: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that Uttar Pradesh is steadily transforming from a local economic powerhouse into a global growth engine, driven by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Highlighting the impact of India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Goyal said the state’s leading sectors are gaining greater access to international markets, creating new opportunities for exporters, artisans, farmers and manufacturers.

“Uttar Pradesh moving from local to global. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is reaching new heights of development,” Goyal said in a post on social media platform X.

He emphasised that trade agreements signed by India are helping connect the state’s products and industries with international markets.

The minister noted that Uttar Pradesh’s key manufacturing and traditional sectors are benefiting from expanding export opportunities.

Kanpur’s renowned leather industry, which has long been a major contributor to the state’s economy, is expected to gain wider access to overseas markets through India’s trade partnerships.

Goyal also highlighted Noida’s rapidly growing electronics manufacturing sector, saying that global market access created through FTAs is opening new possibilities for exporters and manufacturers in the region.

Noida has emerged as one of the country’s major electronics production hubs and is playing an increasingly important role in India’s export ecosystem.

Apart from industrial products, traditional handicrafts from Saharanpur are also poised to benefit from greater international demand.

The minister said artisans and small businesses engaged in the handicrafts sector could access new markets abroad as trade barriers are reduced through various agreements.

Agricultural producers in western Uttar Pradesh are also expected to gain from the expanding trade landscape.

“Through Free Trade Agreements, Kanpur’s leather, Noida’s electronics, Saharanpur’s handicrafts, and agricultural products from Western Uttar Pradesh are gaining new opportunities in global markets,” he mentioned.

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