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Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hasiru Patha will be launched on Saturday: Min Priyank Kharge
Kalaburagi: District minister Priyank Kharge announced initiatives for environmental conservation through sapling plantation under the 'Hasiru Patha' programme across the Kalyana Karnataka region on Saturday, July 5, including Kalaburagi city. During a press conference at the DC's office, he detailed that the Hasiru Patha, Kalyana Patha, and Pragati Patha programmes are focusing on plantation activities, welfare schemes, road development, and essential infrastructure improvements in Karnataka's rural and urban areas. He elaborated that this five-phase project involves collaboration between multiple entities, including the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, rural development and panchayat raj department, forest department, Kuda, Kalaburagi corporation, and other relevant departments. With state forest coverage at 22% and the Kalyana Karnataka region at 2%, the forest department initiated the 'Hasiru Patha' programme to increase forest cover through systematic plantation drives. The programme will be launched in Kalaburagi by leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, with forest minister Eshwar Khandre in attendance. The minister outlined plans to plant saplings across 9,000 hectares along the 1,848 km road network in the Kalyana Karnataka region, allocating Rs 53.5 crore under the Vanamahotsava scheme. The ''Hasiru Patha' scheme includes plantation along 5,000 km of roadsides across the state under the NREGA scheme. A dedicated application enables geo-tagging and satellite tracking of the planted saplings. Under the 'Manegondu Mara' project, 37,100 saplings are being distributed to households in Kalaburagi city, with an allocation of Rs 60 lakh. The 'Pragati Patha' scheme involves the development of 8,150 km of rural roads statewide, with an estimated budget of Rs 7,000 crore. For the Kalyana Karnataka region, road development is allocated at Rs 5,000. A joint initiative by KKRDB, Corporation, and GDA aims to revitalise 30 parks in Kalaburagi city, alongside the restoration of lakes and kalyanis with Rs 38 crore funding. The first phase encompasses development projects including Appa lake (Rs 3 crore), Khajakotanur lake (Rs 5 crore), Kapanur Kalyani (Rs 10 crore), Bahmani Fort (Rs 19 crore), and the creation of tourist attractions. Additionally, Rs 30 crore has been allocated for developing 25 junctions and circles in Kalaburagi city. Priyank Kharge emphasised their commitment to maintaining the planted saplings, working towards establishing a clean, attractive, and environmentally sustainable Kalaburagi.
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
As Fintech Funding Falls to Seven-Year Low, Founders Debate Bootstrapping vs VC
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global fintech investment slumped to its lowest level since 2017, falling to $95.6 billion across 4,639 deals, according to KPMG's latest Pulse of Fintech report. In the UK, investment dropped by more than 25% year-on-year – its weakest level since the height of the pandemic. 'It's no longer about who raises the most,' says Dima Kats, CEO and Founder of Clear Junction. 'It's about who builds something that lasts. Bootstrapping forced us to focus on efficiency, product-market fit, and real value – not hype.' But not all fintech sectors are suffering equally. Payments stood out as a rare bright spot, with global investment rising to $31 billion – up from $17.2 billion the previous year. Analysts point to infrastructure innovation, market consolidation, and improved investor confidence as key drivers. As fintech's investment landscape shifts from growth-at-all-costs to sustainability, the funding paths chosen by founders are under renewed scrutiny. That question takes centre stage at Money20/20 Europe 2025, where two prominent fintech leaders will go head-to-head in a debate titled: Bootstrapping vs. Backers: The Fintech Funding Showdown. Dima Kats, CEO and Founder of leading global payments service provider Clear Junction, and Babs Ogundeyi, Founder and Group CEO of Nigerian neobank Kuda, will share radically different perspectives on how to build and scale a fintech under pressure. Kats built Clear Junction without external capital, scaling it into one of Europe's fastest-growing companies (FT1000, 2025). Ogundeyi, meanwhile, turned to venture funding to rapidly launch and expand Kuda – one of Africa's first challenger banks, now serving millions of customers. 'It's no longer about who raises the most,' says Kats. 'It's about who builds something that lasts. Bootstrapping forced us to focus on efficiency, product-market fit, and real value – not hype.' 'We had no time to lose,' says Ogundeyi. 'Millions were excluded from the financial system. Venture funding helped us build quickly with other knowledgeable and experienced people to meet urgent needs.' With investor appetite beginning to cautiously return in 2025 – albeit with more conservative deal sizes and heightened expectations – the discussion is expected to resonate with founders, funders, and policymakers alike. Moderated by Simone Ishikawa, founder of fintech and impact startup consultancy ishikoo, the session will examine: Would either business have survived on the other's funding path? The trade-offs between control, speed, and mission Whether founders can stay true to their purpose under investor scrutiny How funding models shape strategy in emerging vs. developed markets What both leaders wish they had known at the start of their journeys 'We're not here to pitch a playbook,' says Kats. 'We're here to show what it really takes.' 'Trust and inclusion are at the heart of both our missions,' adds Ogundeyi. 'But we chose different paths.' About Clear Junction Clear Junction helps regulated financial institutions access and manage cross-border payments, with a focus on operational security backed by strong compliance and risk management practices. The Group is licensed and approved by regulators in the UK, EU, and Canada to provide payment and crypto services. Through its extensive bank network and proprietary technology, Clear Junction offers reliable payment infrastructure, correspondent account services, and access to major clearing networks. By filling the gaps left by traditional providers, Clear Junction enables businesses to operate efficiently and expand globally. For more information, visit:.
