Category: Articles

The Future of Indian Housing

Vijay Raman

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces India's urban population explosion is causing its bigger cities to burst at the seams. Overcrowding, pollution, traffic congestion, and deteriorating infrastructure are the 'new normal' – a state of affairs that we have begun to accept as inevitable. According to the United Nations, about 40% of the Indian population will live in urban areas by 2030. The pressure this puts on housing, transportation, and basic amenities in our cities is immense. Because of these urban 'growing pains', many citizens have become…

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Building Safe Spaces: A Mental Health Day Call to Leaders

Vijay Raman

Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work, India On World Mental Health Day, we must recognize that creating safe spaces for employees to express their mental health challenges is not just a responsibility but a necessity. Our research shows that one in four employees hesitate to speak about stress, anxiety, or burnout, fearing judgment. Despite the increasing availability of mental health benefits such as wellness leaves, holistic wellbeing programs and sensitization workshops—however the low utilization of the counselling services tells us there’s more work to do.  As leaders, it’s crucial…

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FOMO vs. FOBO – In A House Hunt, One Helps and the Other Hurts

Vijay Raman

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces India's real estate market provides many opportunities for home buyers. However, it is not easy to navigate, especially for first-time buyers. With so many options and also varying offers from developers, it is often difficult to decide which property purchase ticks all the right boxes for an individual buyer who has never purchased a property before. Within this complexity, the psychological phenomena of FOMO – the Fear of Missing Out and FOBO – the Fear of Better Options – play big…

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Creating a Cozy Monsoon Sanctuary: Design and Decor Tips for a Welcoming Home

Vijay Raman

Arrival of monsoon is like refreshing showers and cool breezes, which brings a sense of freshness and tranquillity. As much as it provides respite from the scorching heat, it also presents unique challenges in maintaining our homes, as the increased humidity and dampness can take a toll on our interiors. However, through thoughtful interior and designing, these challenges can be efficiently managed. With careful planning you can easily transform your abode into a cozy monsoon sanctuary, where you can enjoy the music of rain while sipping on a warm cup…

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Urbanization Vs. Nature – Is a Symbiosis Possible?

Vijay Raman

 by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces Before urbanization took off earnestly in India, humans and nature coexisted admirably. Unfortunately, rampant real estate development has steadily reduced Indians' access to nature. From the increasing demand for integrated townships with abundant greenery, we can see that urban dwellers today are looking to reconnect with nature. The Cost of Urbanization Our cities' development agendas have taken a huge toll. Parks and forested regions have been replaced with high-rise skyscrapers. It's tempting to blame municipal authorities and real estate developers for this…

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On International Equal Pay Day, Leaders Highlight the Path to Fair Compensation for All

Vijay Raman

As we commemorate International Equal Pay Day, it's essential to reflect on the work that still lies ahead in achieving pay equity. Our research highlights that the perception of fair pay among women is 5% lower than their male counterparts. This disparity points to the critical need for organizations to not only implement fair compensation policies but to also foster an environment where employees feel valued and recognized for their contributions. At Great Place To Work®️ Organizations, 74% of employees believe they are paid fairly, compared to just 55% in…

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Healthy Living: Nutritional Principles in Naturopathy

Vijay Raman

By Dr. Aasna Ann Jose Nutrition plays a central role in maintaining holistic health. Health, in naturopathy, is not merely the absence of disease but a state of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. While all these aspects of health are interconnected, a balanced diet is particularly vital for supporting the body's inherent healing abilities, a core belief in naturopathy. Naturopathy views the body as an integral part of nature, working in harmony with its constructive principles. Gut Health and Lifestyle Diseases The human gut hosts trillions of microbes, which…

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Aakriti Jayant Chhaparia, co-founder of Lamior | cosmetics & skincare Shares Her Success Journey

Vijay Raman

Q1. What inspired Aakriti to create LaMior? Aakriti was inspired to create Lamior with a clear vision: to bring clean, plant-based, and vegan makeup to the Indian market, without compromising on performance. When she and her husband sought to build something meaningful together, their shared inspiration stemmed from a desire to introduce skincare-infused clean makeup to the Indian market. They recognized a gap in the market for high-quality, skincare-infused makeup that caters to the needs of modern women. Lamior was born out of their shared dream to offer quick, easy, and long-lasting makeup solutions that…

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We must build a society where women are not afraid to live their lives: Nayana Chowdhury

Vijay Raman

The horrific incident of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata has sent shockwaves across the country. This has once again highlighted the issue of safety of women and girls in India. Despite major advancements in science and technology, women’s safety and well-being continue to remain stagnant, particularly in workplaces. “Social norms are stacked up against women and girls. Violence against women is normalised to such an extent in our culture that women are not considered human beings; ill-treated and consistently objectified. The growing incidents of…

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The real estate sector is focused on the upcoming budget, scheduled for July 23

Vijay Raman

The industry is eagerly anticipating sector status in this forthcoming budget. This long-awaited recognition could significantly benefit the construction sector, one of India's largest employers of unskilled and casual labor. It would streamline operations, attract investment, and stimulate overall growth. Additionally, the sector is seeking a simplified approval process through a single-window clearance system and increased support for affordable housing initiatives to meet the needs of the growing population and spur economic development. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman – Signature Global (India) Ltd. & Chairman – ASSOCHAM National Council on…

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