Archives December 2025

Dec 26: United Way Bengaluru’s flagship water stewardship initiative, One Billion Drops (OBD), has been honoured with the SABERA Awards 2025 in the Environment & Consumption category, reaffirming its leadership in driving sustainable water conservation through collective action.

The SABERA Awards, recognised as South Asia’s most credible awards for brand-building, reputation management, and purpose-led communication, celebrate initiatives that create meaningful social and environmental impact while demonstrating excellence in strategy and execution.

The One Billion Drops campaign was recognised for its sustained, scalable, and collaborative approach to addressing India’s growing water crisis. By mobilising corporates, communities, government bodies, and civil society, the campaign has focused on water conservation, rejuvenation of water bodies, groundwater recharge, and responsible water consumption, creating measurable impact across urban and rural landscapes.

The award was received by Mr. Radhakrishna Pradeep, Senior Manager – Climate Action & Partnerships, United Way Bengaluru, along with Mr. Muniraju, a well digger from the Bovi community and a resident of Bovipalya, Karnataka. Today, nearly 120 families from the community are engaged with the initiative. With over 10,000 rainwater harvesting wells created in the city of Bengaluru, One Billion Drops has emerged as a milestone initiative contributing to India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.

Since its inception, the campaign has enabled the harvesting, replenishment, and conservation of millions of litres of water annually, while also building awareness around water-positive practices among citizens and institutions. Its integrated model combines on-ground action with advocacy, volunteer engagement, and long-term ecosystem partnerships.

The award underscores United Way Bengaluru’s commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, through innovative, inclusive, and impact-driven programmes.

United Way Bengaluru continues to work closely with corporates, civic authorities, and local communities to expand the reach of One Billion Drops, ensuring long-term water sustainability and climate resilience for future generations.

By:-Santosh Agarwal, CFO & Executive Director, Alpha Corp Development Limited

“India’s real estate sector continues to display strong resilience, with Delhi-NCR reinforcing its position as a key residential and commercial destination. Residential demand remains healthy, supported by changing lifestyle preferences, improving infrastructure, and increased aspiration for quality living. Alongside this, developers are actively exploring opportunities in Tier II and III cities, which are emerging as important growth markets. In NCR, Shop-cum-Office (SCO) developments are gaining significant traction, driven by their mixed-use flexibility, visibility, and strong end-user and investor interest. Office spaces remain relevant as workplace strategies evolve, supported by enhanced connectivity and a renewed focus on quality, well-planned developments, strengthening confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects. At the same time, rising manufacturing expansion and infrastructure-led growth are accelerating demand for industrial parks and logistics hubs, positioning them as a key pillar of the sector’s next phase of sustainable growth.”

By:-Abhishek Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris

“2025 has been a pivotal year for real estate across Delhi NCR, marked by a decisive shift toward luxury living and wellness-oriented residential communities. Luxury home sales in NCR grew by 9% in H1 2025, with Gurugram accounting for nearly 91% of all high-end transactions reaffirming its position as the region’s strongest market.

At the same time, homebuyers are increasingly prioritising health over price, seeking communities that offer integrated wellness facilities, expansive green landscapes, and state-of-the-art fitness infrastructure to support holistic well-being. This reflects the evolving lifestyle preferences of modern homeowners. Looking ahead to 2026, we, as developers, remain committed to this direction by placing health, environmental quality, and overall well-being at the core of our upcoming projects in Gurugram, Noida & Bengaluru. In line with rising AQI concerns and the growing preference for wellness-focused homes, our forthcoming residential development in Sector 80, Gurugram has been meticulously designed to offer a wellness-centric living experience”

By:-Ashish Sharma, AVP Operations, Brahma Group

 “2025 has been a breakthrough year for commercial real estate, with NCR’s office leasing activity reaching 7.2 million sq. ft. in the first half, marking a 27% year-on-year increase and reaffirming the sector’s robust performance. Additionally, Gurugram emerged as the primary growth driver, contributing nearly 65% of the total leasing. This uptick reflects the strong preference among occupiers for high-quality Grade-A office spaces, technologically advanced smart buildings, and environmentally sustainable developments. continue to position the region as a preferred commercial destination. These factors collectively continue to strengthen the region’s position as a highly sought-after commercial destination. As we move into 2026, we anticipate even more growth, fuelled by infrastructure upgrades, rising rental values, and growing demand from both domestic companies and global firms, and we remain committed to delivering future-ready, flexible, premium-grade spaces that meet evolving corporate needs.”

Delhi NCR, Dec 26: As 2025 is set to end in a few days, activity in Delhi NCR’s premium housing market continues at a surprising pace. Properties in the ₹1 crore plus bracket have found steady takers through the year, mostly from families looking for more space or a better neighbourhood. Developers say many of these buyers began their search early in the year and stayed active regardless of season, which helped sustain sales across quarters. A CBRE–ASSOCHAM study reported that luxury housing sales jumped 85 percent in the first half of 2025, with NCR contributing more than half of those transactions.

That momentum also filtered into the luxury bracket. Homes priced at INR 4 crore and above, once restricted to a handful of sectors, now attract interest across a wider stretch of the region. Market reports show that demand for high-end homes has been rising for some time. ANAROCK’s data highlights the scale of this growth, with average luxury prices moving from about INR 13,450 per square foot in 2022 to nearly INR 23,100 in 2025. Brokers in Gurgaon and Noida say buyers in this range are particular about layout planning, finishes and the reputation of the developer.

According to a recent report by Savills India Research, prices of new villa properties in Goa compare with the apartments in South Delhi and South Mumbai, priced between Rs 7 crore and Rs 10 crore.

Mr. Dheeraj Sharma, CEO, GHD Group says,

“India’s property market in 2025 has maintained solid momentum, supported by confident buyers and improved infrastructure. The push for bigger, better homes is shaping demand across mid and premium tiers. Investor interest is also rising, keeping real estate one of the most stable investment avenues this year. Within this national growth story, Goa has emerged as one of the most dynamic and talked-about markets. The state has seen a sharp surge in luxury villa and holiday home demand, with North Goa locations like Porvorim and Thivim recording price jumps of up to 66% year-on-year. This year, a significant number of investors including NRIs and domestic buyers have actively invested in Goa, drawn by its strong rental potential and lifestyle appeal. Remote-working professionals have also continued to choose Goa as a long-term base, further increasing demand. Goa’s rise has been supported by major infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of Mopa Airport and enhanced highway connectivity, making the state more accessible for residents, tourists and investors alike. These developments have firmly positioned Goa as a premium lifestyle and investment hub. Looking ahead to 2026, Goa’s momentum is set to continue, with demand likely to outpace supply in key luxury and holiday-home hotspots.”

Dwarka Expressway and UER II Reset Connectivity for NCR

A major catalyst for Gurgaon’s premium housing momentum this year has been the completion of the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road II. Market participants across the board describe these projects as transformative. Many homebuyers and brokers frame the infrastructure push as a much-needed intervention delivered under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The expressway, in particular, is often referred to as a long-overdue “gift” to commuters who spent years navigating bottlenecks on the traditional Delhi–Gurgaon corridors.

With both corridors now operational, access to IGI Airport has become noticeably smoother, and commuters from West and North Delhi report shorter and more predictable travel times into Gurgaon’s commercial pockets. Real estate sentiment along the expressway has shifted sharply. Sectors that had remained inactive for years are now drawing sustained interest. Industry data shows steep price appreciation along the stretch over the last five years, with some estimates placing growth at more than three and a half times. Developers say most new demand here is for premium homes backed by improved access and the steady addition of social amenities.

UER II has had a similar effect in the northern belt. The new link connects Rohini, Mundka, Najafgarh and the Dwarka side with highways leading towards Sonipat and Kundli. For residents in these neighbourhoods, the project has created a faster link to the airport and to Gurgaon. Analysts say the enhanced connectivity has already begun to lift the profile of pockets that earlier struggled to attract buyers.

Venket Rao, Founder & Managing Partner, Intygrat Law:

“2025 has been a defining year for India’s real estate sector. The Reserve Bank of India’s consistent stance on repo rates has ensured a stable borrowing environment, giving both developers and homebuyers the confidence to plan long-term. At the same time, the government’s ongoing labour law reforms are bringing much-needed clarity, compliance transparency, and workforce efficiency to the construction ecosystem — a critical step for an industry that thrives on predictability and organized growth. What truly stands out this year is the government’s sustained push for real estate through infrastructure expansion, digital land governance, and policy incentives aimed at accelerating urban development. These efforts signal a clear national intent: to make real estate a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation. As we close the year, the sector is more resilient, more regulated, and better positioned to deliver sustainable value to investors, end-users, and the broader economy.”

Deepak Rai, Founder & Managing Director, Bootes, said,

“2025 has been a decisive year for real estate, reminding us that pollution, rising temperatures, water scarcity, and high energy consumption are immediate challenges. While the market remained stable and buyer confidence stayed strong across mid-income and premium categories, the biggest shift was the growing demand for sustainable, climate-responsible homes. More buyers now prioritise eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, and net-zero living.”

He further added, “Looking ahead to year 2026, the real estate sector must take responsibility for mitigating these issues. Sustainability is no longer optional — green certifications, renewable energy integration, water-saving systems, and low-carbon construction will be fundamental expectations. The market will stay balanced, but the demand for climate-conscious homes will rise sharply. At Bootes, we are actively working on these solutions. From net-zero homes to energy-optimised designs and responsible construction practices, we are committed to building homes that support a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable future.”

Mr Gaurav K Singh, Chairman and Founder, Womeki Group says

“2025 has been a year of strong economic stability for India, marked by sustained GDP growth, a steady inflation trajectory, and continued improvement in the ease of doing business. The government’s push on infrastructure development, digital public services, and rationalised labour reforms has further strengthened investor confidence. As we move into 2026, the outlook remains optimistic. With capital investments rising, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets gaining momentum, and policy consistency driving long-term planning, India is poised to unlock broader opportunities and reinforce its position as one of the world’s most resilient and fast-progressing economies.”

Henam Khaneja, Additional Vice President & Head of Commercial Sales, Elante Group,

“As we all know, this year is coming to an end, and 2025 has been a transformative year for the real estate sector. Stable interest rates, growing income confidence, and a definite shift toward quality-driven developments all contributed to the robust demand we saw in both the residential and commercial sectors. Buyers today are more informed and are prioritizing integrated living, sustainability, and long-term value. Tier-2 markets also gained momentum as infrastructure expansion and hybrid working models created new growth pockets. Heading into the year 2026, the market is expected to stay largely balanced, with a slight tilt towards buyers in a few pockets as inventory gradually increases. Mortgage rates may stabilise, improving affordability and boosting buyer confidence. The premium and luxury segment will continue to stay strong, driven by aspirational and high-net-worth buyers who prioritize lifestyle, design, and long-term value.”

The Outlook

With the year close to wrapping up, the premium segment stands out as one of the most stable parts of NCR’s residential market. A mix of infrastructure upgrades, improved connectivity and consistent end-user demand has defined 2025 for high-value housing. Developers say enquiry levels today indicate that the interest is unlikely to fade as the market moves into 2026.

By:-Amit Goyal, MD  South Asia, Project Management Institute 

Amidst India’s rapid development, digital changes, hybrid work, and global economic shifts, organizations are fundamentally rethinking operations. Traditional approaches are no longer effective. Structured execution, the essence of project management, has emerged as the critical framework to navigate uncertainty, optimize resources, and deliver strategic objectives. Project management is now an enterprise-wide imperative, moving beyond a specialized skill to a foundational capability. It empowers teams to adopt new technologies, adapt agilely, and achieve tangible outcomes. Integrating AI transforms risk forecasting and resource orchestration, making project management deeply strategic for enterprise growth.

India’s ambitious progress from world-class infrastructure and digital initiatives like UPI to ‘Make in India’ critically depends on robust project management. These mega-projects, shaping India’s future for 2026 and beyond, demand ‘future-ready’ talent skilled in project methods, digital fluency, and adaptability. Project management is the strategic backbone for India’s workforce readiness and sustained national progress.

iQOO transformed Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru into a live reveal zone for its flagship smartphone, the iQOO 15, with a high-impact on-ground activation that ran from 22 to 28 December 2025. Designed as a curiosity-led experiential campaign, the installation aimed to build anticipation and offer consumers a hands-on iQOO 15 experience during the Christmas season.

At the heart of the activation was a giant Amazon-style mystery box installation placed inside the mall. Kept closed during the initial 2 days, the installation sparked curiosity among the people and quickly became a visual attraction, encouraging conversations and speculation around what lay inside. The box was later opened to unveil the iQOO 15 experience zone, turning intrigue into an immersive product experience for mall visitors.

Popular content creator and comedian Tanmay Bhatt added to the excitement by joining the iQOO pop-up and engaging with the crowd, bringing his signature humour and relatability to the on-ground experience. His presence amplified audience engagement through casual interactions and crowd-led moments, adding a layer of entertainment and cultural relevance to the activation.

This installation marked the first time iQOO offered consumers a public, hands-on experience of its new flagship smartphone, iQOO 15, through such an immersive offline format. Visitors were able to explore the device up close, reinforcing iQOO’s focus on experience-driven innovation and youth-centric engagement.

While the pop-up was designed purely as an experience-led activation, the iQOO 15 is available for purchase online via Amazon and the iQOO e-store.

New Delhi, Dec 26:- India’s Regional Rapid Transit System  stands at the threshold of transforming urban mobility and catalysing corridor-led investment opportunities across the country, according to “Regional Rapid Transit System: Testing the Commuters’ Pulse,” a comprehensive report released by Knight Frank India. The findings point to strong commuter satisfaction and a significant willingness among aspirational users to adopt RRTS, provided connectivity and integration challenges are addressed. The report also highlights evolving investor interest around RRTS corridors, driven by visible infrastructure development and perceived economic opportunity.

The report underscores that the RRTS is emerging as a strong catalyst for corridor-led investment, with nearly 80% of surveyed existing users associating improved RRTS connectivity with enhanced economic opportunities in their region. Perceptions of economic development are significantly reinforced where infrastructure upgrades are visible, increasing confidence by over 2.25 times. This translates into tangible real estate interest, with 66% of existing users expressing willingness to invest in property along the RRTS corridor. The presence of commercial activity and active real estate development plays a decisive role in shaping investment sentiment, amplifying investment intent by 10.2 times and 7.7 times respectively. The findings also point to a clear decentralisation opportunity, with 38% of respondents open to relocating away from core urban centres; however, this willingness is closely tied to the availability of supporting social infrastructure, underlining the importance of integrated residential, commercial and civic development in unlocking the full investment potential of RRTS corridors.

Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said,

“The RRTS is a pivotal infrastructure intervention for India’s urban and regional transport landscape. While commuters place a premium on time savings, safety and reliability, and are ready to adopt modern transport solutions when connectivity works seamlessly. For policymakers and city planners, integration, both in mobility and urban development, is key. For investors and developers, RRTS corridors represent tangible opportunities for growth where infrastructure dovetails with land-use planning and commercial momentum. The RRTS is not just as a transport solution, but a catalyst for decentralised economic growth. Its long-term success will depend on coordinated planning that brings together transport networks, land-use strategy and investment priorities to support sustainable urbanisation.”

Real Estate Growth and Commercial Activity Perceptions Influence Investment Probability:

The survey findings indicate that perceptions of real estate growth and commercial activity along the RRTS corridor play a decisive role in shaping investment probability among respondents. Existing users who observed visible commercial activity, such as offices, retail and business hubs, were significantly more likely to express intent to invest, with commercial development increasing investment likelihood by over ten times. Similarly, the presence of ongoing or completed real estate projects strengthened confidence in the corridor, raising the probability of property investment by nearly eight times. These results highlight that investor sentiment is not driven by connectivity alone, but by tangible signs of economic momentum on the ground. The survey also suggests that infrastructure-led confidence is reinforced when transport development is accompanied by active land use, underscoring the importance of synchronised infrastructure delivery and real estate development in unlocking the full investment potential of RRTS corridors. 

Commercial Activities and Real Estate Development Shape Investment Sentiments

Source: Knight Frank Research

Delhi  Ghaziabad  Meerut Corridor Success and Lessons 

The RRTS  exemplified by the flagship Delhi Ghaziabad Meerut corridor being developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation   has already begun its phased rollout. The corridor, approved at a cost of over INR 30,000 crore, will ultimately span 82 km and dramatically reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under an hour. The system’s priority section has commenced operations, and continued funding reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to completing the project. 

Knight Frank Survey Results 

Knight Frank’s survey indicates that RRTS users demonstrate strong approval for the service, with about 83% expressing satisfaction with their travel experience. While 45% of respondents reported higher commute costs after shifting to the RRTS, this perception of increased fares appeared to have minimal impact on their overall satisfaction. Instead, commuters value reductions in travel time, enhanced safety and productivity gains far more, underscoring a shift in priorities toward quality and reliability in rapid regional transport.

Despite robust satisfaction levels among existing users, the report identifies key barriers that could constrain broader adoption. Limited last-mile access, accessibility hurdles and delays in ancillary infrastructure around stations remain persistent challenges. Critically, the research shows that multi-modal integration  linking RRTS with metro networks, buses, feeder services and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure  drives commuter intent, substantially increasing the likelihood of adoption. This finding underscores that seamless connectivity must be prioritised to translate latent demand into sustained ridership.

The report further finds that awareness of RRTS is exceptionally high, with more than 90% of aspirational commuters recognising the system and its intended benefits. Around 71% of these aspirational commuters expressed willingness to shift their commute to the RRTS, contingent on improvements in connectivity, reaffirming the underlying demand for efficient regional transport.

In parallel with mobility outcomes, RRTS corridors are beginning to shape regional real estate sentiments. Nearly 80% of existing users link improved connectivity to enhanced economic opportunity in their regions. Visible infrastructure investment and development along the corridors bolster perceptions of economic growth, with the prevalence of commercial activity and real estate projects significantly amplifying investment intent among surveyed respondents.

Users’ feedback and preferences 

Investment in RRTS 

The investment opportunity around RRTS corridors is further underpinned by large-scale infrastructure planning beyond the Delhi Meerut link. The development of additional corridors of similar scale signals an expanding national footprint for RRTS-driven infrastructure investment and regional connectivity solutions.

For investors and developers, the implications are clear: RRTS corridors offer emerging nodes of growth, particularly where transport infrastructure is accompanied by commercial and residential development. 

By:- Jyoti Awasthi, Director, House of Communication

With 2025 drawing to a close, India’s public relations industry is now trying to recalibrate itself in a world that seems dominated by algorithmic amplification, audience scepticism, and fast reputation cycles. That was the year that virality turned from the realm of ‘happy accident’ to that of strategic consequence  engineered, controlled and, in multiple instances, in real-time, turned around and course-corrected. Those campaigns that made it were not only focused on gaining eyeballs  they synced storytelling with business, culture and authority.

Virality Moved from Reach to Relevance

By 2025, raw impressions had lost their monopoly as success signals. For that matter, industry data tells us that, though India crossed 900 million internet users this year, average content attention spans for a social platform hovered between 2.5-3 seconds. Campaigns that worked saw this limitation and were geared for hook, rather than mass message. Most successful public relations narratives had more weight in making their message crystal clear within five seconds’ time frame, and placed importance on context, not snappy jargons. Several BFSI and consumer-tech companies, for example, centered campaigns around financial anxiety, digital safety and everyday decision-making instead of aspirational fluff. They were not loud narratives and they moved because they reflected lived realities.

 Purpose Without Proof Failed Quickly-

2025 was unsympathetic to performative purpose. A report by Edelman Trust Barometer for India showed that over 60 percent of consumers said they had been able to discern and see when brands were using social causes as a marketing nudge. PR teams had learned, sometimes the hard way, that purpose-led campaigns needed operational backing  policy changes, product shifts or actionable metrics. 

Brands that combined announcements with data points, timelines and third-party validation found ways to maintain credibility. Those who relied on symbolic messaging found themselves under swift social scrutiny, sometimes within hours of the start of campaigns. 

Short-Form Content Dominated, Strategy Still Won

Short-form video maintained its dominance of distribution, accounting for more than 25% of worldwide short-video consumption in 2025 with India. But the campaigns that turned virality into reputation equity looked at reels and shorts as gateways, not where to go. PR plans added explanations, earned media stories, and top-down content analysis to keep people longer in view. 

The most salient trend in this regard was the emergence of “moment-led PR”, in which brands would react to cultural or policy moments within 24 to 48 hours with contextual understanding rather than reactionary commentary. Speed was important, but discernment was more. 

Influencer Strategy Matured or Collapsed

 2025 was the dropout date for influencer scale only partnerships. An industry report says that Influencer marketing spend across India is expected to exceed ₹3,000 crore this year, and fatigue set in rapidly for the same for undifferentiated endorsements. Those that succeeded worked with fewer creators but closer alignment, frequently co-creating content rather than delivering briefs. Micro-influencers with domain credibility  finance educators, sustainability advocates, regional creators performed better, including twice to three times better, at engagement than celebrity-led activations. PR teams discovered that influence without trust loses its shine quickly. 

Data Became a Key to Storytelling

Among its most dramatic changes in 2025, was the leveraging of proprietary data as a PR tool. Many of that year’s most quoted media stories were pinned on top of surveys, indices and consumer trend reports. In a world of diminishing newsroom bandwidth, data-driven stories provided journalists with ready relevance. Brands that contributed to annual or quarterly indices gained disproportionate percentage of voice, notably in business and financial media. The message was obvious: owned data is no longer optional; it is narrative infrastructure. 

Crisis Readiness Was Tested Repeatedly

 In the current era with increasing misinformation cycles, 2025 reiterated the importance of active reputation defence being a priority. Social listening statistics indicate the spike in brand scandals is now taking place within the first six hours out of the gate of emergence, as noted by social listening data. Firms with pre-validated response guidelines, professional spokespeople, and defined escalation cycles have been shown to contain damage much better than those responding ad hoc and with no advance notice to mitigate risk. 

PR in 2025 focused on much more than amplification; it was containment, calibration and confidence. 

What It Means for 2026

The take-away for 2025 is that in India, PR is no longer a support function. It is a strategic layer between brand, business, and public sentiment. Virality without trust was brittle. Trust without visibility was not enough. 

As the industry looks ahead, “the winning playbook…will be one of cultural intelligence, data-backed storytelling, ethical clarity and speed with moderation. The brands and agencies that turn these lessons into a part of their culture will not merely have conversations; they will shape narratives that outlast the algorithmic moment. 

Attention was an easy thing to obtain in 2025. Credibility was not. That distinction will help define the next phase of India’s PR evolution.

Corporate celebrations are evolving beyond traditional banquets and boardroom gatherings, as companies increasingly seek engaging, high-energy experiences that foster team bonding. Emerging as a preferred destination for such events, Glued Supercharged, located at Level 1, E-Square, Sector 96, Noida, is redefining how organisations celebrate milestones, offsites, and year-end parties.

Over the past year, Glued Supercharged has hosted corporate events for leading organisations including EY, HCL, Microsoft, Accenture, and more than 50 other reputed companies, offering a unique blend of entertainment, food, and team engagement under one roof.

Designed as a one-stop experiential venue, Glued Supercharged features seven immersive gaming zones, fully equipped private party halls, and flexible event spaces that can accommodate both small teams and large corporate groups. The venue also provides customised catering solutions, making it ideal for half-day offsites, evening celebrations, and full-scale corporate events.

What sets Glued Supercharged apart is its focus on curated team-building activities and interactive engagement modules, enabling organisations to strengthen collaboration, boost morale, and foster meaningful connections among employees all in a fun, informal setting.

By combining gaming, entertainment, hospitality, and structured team engagement, Glued Supercharged is fast becoming the go-to destination for companies looking to transform routine corporate events into memorable experiences that energise teams and enhance workplace culture.

With its strategic location in Noida and an expanding list of corporate clients, Glued Supercharged continues to position itself as a hub where work meets play seamlessly.