Abstract: Bangladesh's rich textile heritage offers powerful, yet distinct, models for sustainable development. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two premier handloom sectors: the intricate Jamdani weaving of Tangail and the symbolic Khadi fabric of Cumilla. Framed within green economy principles, the research examines their socio-economic viability, environmental footprint, and potential as engines for pollution-free community development. Employing a mixed-methods approach (July-December 2025), the analysis incorporates surveys, environmental impact assessment, and case studies of both a "GI Gold" Jamdani export initiative and a revived Khadi business plan. Key comparative findings reveal: (1) Both sectors possess underutilized Geographical Indication (GI) status, but face different market challenges—Jamdani contends with high-skill imitation, while Khadi battles generic, low-cost substitutes; (2) their production paradigms, though both low-pollution, differ fundamentally, with Jamdani emphasizing artistic virtuosity and Khadi embodying philosophical self-reliance; and (3) their developmental contexts vary, with Tangail's model being craft-cluster centric and Cumilla's requiring synergistic infrastructure (e.g., airport revival) for growth. The study concludes that while both heritage textiles are potent vehicles for sustainable development, tailored, integrated strategies—recognizing their unique cultural, economic, and infrastructural ecosystems—are essential to unlock their full potential for artisan well-being, cultural preservation, and green economic growth in their respective regions.
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between national income and tourism expenditure, framed within the context of the Engel curve, for six South Asian nations with significant potential for Halal tourism: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Utilizing a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) model on panel data from 2000 to 2024, we analyze the impact of GDP per capita on outbound tourism expenditure. Our findings indicate a positive and elastic income elasticity of tourism demand (0.989), signifying that tourism is a luxury good and that financial outlay on travel increases more than proportionally with income. The results underscore the critical opportunity for these countries to develop their Halal tourism sectors to capture a share of this elastic expenditure, thereby fostering economic diversification and employment generation. The study concludes with targeted policy recommendations aimed at leveraging this income-elastic demand for sustainable economic development.
Abstract: Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) play a crucial role in the Indian financial system by complementing banks in providing credit, promoting financial inclusion, and offering specialised financial services. The present study aims to evaluate the performance of selected NBFCs in India using key financial indicators. This research analyses profitability, liquidity, solvency, and efficiency ratios to assess the overall financial health of these organisations. Secondary data has been collected from annual reports and published financial statements of the selected NBFCs for a specific period. The findings reveal performance variations among NBFCs, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This study conducts a comparative performance appraisal of two major Non-Banking Financial Companies operating in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India: Bajaj Finance Ltd. (Gurgaon) and Tata Capital Financial Services Ltd. (Noida). Using key financial metrics such as Assets Under Management (AUM), profitability ratios (Return on Assets - ROA, Return on Equity - ROE), net interest margin (NIM), asset quality (non-performing assets - NPAs), and capital adequacy, this paper evaluates the financial health, operational efficiency, and performance dynamics of both NBFCs. The findings highlight significant differences arising from their business strategies, asset quality, and scale of operations, providing actionable insights for investors, regulators, and stakeholders.
Abstract: Bangladesh's rich textile heritage offers powerful, yet distinct, models for sustainable development. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two premier handloom sectors: the intricate Jamdani weaving of Tangail and the symbolic Khadi fabric of Cumilla. Framed within green economy principles, the research examines their socio-economic viability, environmental footprint, and potential as engines for pollution-free community development. Employing a mixed-methods approach (July-December 2025), the analysis incorporates surveys, environmental impact assessment, and case studies of both a "GI Gold" Jamdani export initiative and a revived Khadi business plan. Key comparative findings reveal: (1) Both sectors possess underutilized Geographical Indication (GI) status, but face different market challenges—Jamdani contends with high-skill imitation, while Khadi battles generic, low-cost substitutes; (2) their production paradigms, though both low-pollution, differ fundamentally, with Jamdani emphasizing artistic virtuosity and Khadi embodying philosophical self-reliance; and (3) their developmental contexts vary, with Tangail's model being craft-cluster centric and Cumilla's requiring synergistic infrastructure (e.g., airport revival) for growth. The study concludes that while both heritage textiles are potent vehicles for sustainable development, tailored, integrated strategies—recognizing their unique cultural, economic, and infrastructural ecosystems—are essential to unlock their full potential for artisan well-being, cultural preservation, and green economic growth in their respective regions.
Abstract: This research explores the impact of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) policy on its trade relations with China, emphasising their role in global supply chains. It analyses changes in trade patterns, import dependency, export results, and sectoral shifts since the policy's 2020 implementation. By combining quantitative data with qualitative evaluations, the study reveals that the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative has introduced strategic measures for import substitution, supply chain diversification, and domestic industry support, focusing on enhancing local manufacturing, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship. The study highlights India's structural trade imbalances with China, driven by its significant demand for intermediate goods and capital equipment crucial for manufacturing. This dependence poses challenges to India's self-reliance and complicates trade relations in a globalised economy. The paper offers policy recommendations to enhance trade resilience and competitiveness against Chinese imports, including investing in infrastructure, promoting research and development, and forming strategic international partnerships to mitigate trade imbalances and support sustainable growth.
Abstract: Digital evolution of payment services has been a crucial and evolving trend that has been witnessed in the Indian financial market. Technological advancement, government support, and a rise in smartphone devices have encouraged people to opt for more digital means of transferring money and changing the structure of financial and money markets. This paper attempts to provide an empirical analysis of how consumer behavior is shaped by the evolving nature of digital payment services, especially in Meerut districts of Meerut, a Tier-2 city that constitutes a mix of both urban and semi-urban class consumer crowd. This paper attempts to provide an empirical analysis of how consumer behavior is shaped through a structured questionnaire covering a sample size of 100 people and employed statistical methods for hypothesis testing and analysis. Findings show that demographic characteristics are not a significant factor in changes in consumer expenditure behavior and shape and are shaped by aspects such as trust, ease of convenience, and perceived usefulness of services. Additionally, it was found that ease of services of digital payment further contributes to an improvement in consumer satisfaction levels.