Category Archives: Business

Atom Group Acquires Amaltas Partners, Secures DFSA Approval For Dubai DIFC Entry Amidst Deepening India–UAE Financial Ties

Dubai, UAE/ Aug 18: Atom Group, a diversified financial services conglomerate spanning wealth management, insurance advisory and investment banking across India, the UAE and Singapore, today announced it has received formal approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for a change in control of Amaltas Partners Limited, a DIFC-regulated firm. The approval gives Atom Group a direct presence within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and marks a landmark step in its international expansion.

Under the transaction, Atom Privé Global Holdings becomes the controlling entity of Amaltas Partners, bringing the firm under the Atom Group umbrella as a DIFC-based platform. The DFSA’s clearance followed a rigorous review, underscoring the strength of Atom Group’s governance, ownership and compliance framework.

A Strategic Gateway Through DIFC

DIFC remains the pre-eminent financial centre linking the Middle East, Africa and South Asia with global capital markets, offering a common-law legal framework and deep institutional infrastructure. For Atom Group, a foothold here is a natural extension of its multi-jurisdictional strategy across Dubai, India and Singapore.

“DIFC represents the gold standard for financial services oversight and infrastructure in this part of the world. Establishing our presence here is not just a milestone for Atom Group; it’s a statement of intent,” said Harsha Vardhana, Founder and Group CEO, Atom Group. “This approval lets us serve clients with greater institutional credibility and reinforces Dubai’s role as the bridge between Indian wealth, Gulf capital and global markets.”

Leadership Transition at Amaltas Partners

Naveen Rastogi, current Global CIO, Multi-Family Office, Atom, has been appointed CEO and Group CIO of the newly acquired entity. He will lead Amaltas’ integration into the Atom ecosystem while continuing to oversee investment strategy and advisory for global families.

“Amaltas has built a high-quality, client-centric franchise within DIFC, with deep relationships across entrepreneurs, professionals, and family offices,” said Rastogi. “Our focus now is on ensuring continuity and stability for existing clients, while progressively bringing the full breadth of Atom Group’s capabilities to bear, from multi-family office and risk advisory to investment banking and cross-border solutions.”

Pradeep Chandra, outgoing CEO and owner of Amaltas Partners, will step away from day-to-day leadership following completion of the transaction.

“When we founded Amaltas, the vision was a focused, DIFC-based advisory platform built around client interests and governance,” said Chandra. “Joining Atom Group is a natural next chapter — one that brings scale and breadth while staying true to the values we built the firm on.”

Strengthening the India–UAE Financial Corridor

The India–UAE relationship has accelerated in recent years, anchored by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with bilateral trade now crossing USD 100 billion. A growing number of Indian entrepreneurs, family offices and high-net-worth individuals are choosing Dubai as a base for global wealth structuring and cross-border expansion.

With a base in DIFC alongside its established India operations and Singapore holding structure, Atom Group is positioned to offer seamless, compliant and well-governed advisory solutions to families and businesses moving capital, wealth and ambition between these markets.

“India and the UAE are no longer just trade partners. They’re becoming deeply intertwined financial ecosystems,” Harsha added. “Our DIFC presence lets us walk alongside Indian families as they globalize their wealth, while giving international clients a trusted gateway into India’s growth story. This is about building the financial corridor of the future between two of the world’s most dynamic economies.”

India’s senior living market likely to exceed INR 1 trillion by 2030, almost 4X times current levels: Colliers

New Delhi, 18 August 2026: India’s senior living market has emerged as one of the most promising alternative real estate asset classes in the country supported by growing demand for age-focused housing and increasing participation from developers, healthcare operators and investors. While the segment is still at a nascent stage, it has evolved beyond conventional retirement housing to an organized market where senior housing is replete with health care facilities. India’s senior living market has seen strong traction in recent years with the segment currently standing at around INR 300 billion, almost 70% higher than 2024 levels. Given the growing demand backed by strong investor appetite, the segment is expected to grow at an accelerated pace and exceed INR 1 trillion by 2030, rising ~4X times compared to current levels.

Trends in India’s senior living market size

Note: Market size is estimated/forecasted basis overall inventory (supply side) | E-Estimate, F-Forecast

Source: Colliers 

This ongoing growth in senior living market is underpinned by structural shifts in India’s demographic and socio-economic profile. Rising life expectancy, nuclearization of families, rising income levels, enhanced retirement preparedness with greater focus on health & wellness are driving demand for age-appropriate curated residential solutions. In fact, the share of India’s population aged 60 years & above is expected to rise to ~21% by 2050 from ~11% currently. Further, at over 0.3 billion, India is likely to account for about 16% of the ~2.1 billion global elderly population (aged 60 years & above) by 2050, positioning it among the world’s key growth markets for senior housing. 

Trends in India’s population

Note: Senior population refers to 60 years of age and above | E-Estimate, F-Forecast

Source: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 

“India’s senior living market is entering a period of accelerated growth, driven by strong demographic shifts and evolving socio-economic dynamics. With a rapidly expanding elderly population and rising demand for professionally managed senior housing & care solutions, the market presents significant long-term growth opportunities. In fact, on the supply side, India’s organized senior living inventory is expected to quadruple over the next 3-4 years and become a trillion-rupee market by 2030. Moreover, increasing policy support, growing investor participation and collaboration among leading developers & healthcare operators are likely to redefine senior living offerings across the country,” said Badal Yagnik, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Colliers India. 

Senior living penetration rate to reach almost 4% by 2030

Colliers estimates current senior living demand at around 20-22 lakh units while the inventory in the organized market is only around 25,000 units. This translates into a penetration rate of about 1.3%, highlighting significant headroom for future expansion.

As India’s elderly population (aged 60 years & above) is projected to double from around 170 million currently to over 340 million by 2050, demand for senior living care is expected to witness a substantial increase over the coming decades. In fact, demand for senior living units is projected to reach nearly 30 lakh units by 2030, driven by increasing acceptance of organized senior living communities, rising life expectancy and growing preference for aged-focused housing & care-solutions. Meanwhile on the supply side, driven by aggressive expansion of leading operators & real estate developers, organized senior living inventory is set to scale up multi-fold times and reach around 1 lakh units by 2030, driving overall penetration levels to ~4%.

India senior living market landscape

Note: Penetration refers to the proportion of organized senior living supply/inventory relative to the overall demand for senior living units during a particular year | E-Estimate, F-Forecast

Source: Colliers

Over INR 130 billion of capital commitment by senior living developers/investors since 2025; investments to materialize over next 3-4 years

India’s senior living segment is likely to see significant supply addition of close to 75,000 units over the next few years, supported by strong capital commitments from leading real estate developers, senior living operators and investors alike. Over INR 130 billion of investments have been announced since 2025 and are likely to be deployed towards development of senior living projects over the next 3-4 years. While developer-led investments continue to account for majority of the envisaged capital deployment, the segment is also witnessing rising traction in strategic partnerships with healthcare service providers. Interestingly, select institutional investors are increasingly forming joint venture platforms with leading real estate developers and are planning to aggressively expand their senior living footprint across key markets of the country.

“Growing capital commitment towards senior living projects reflects the conviction of developers and investors in the segment’s long-term growth potential. With leading developers & operators announcing more than INR 130 billion investments since 2025, we are likely to witness acceleration in fund deployment in senior living projects over the course of next 3-4 years.  The senior living market is set to witness a stronger development pipeline across categories including independent living & assisted living formats. Overall, these investments are set to strengthen operator offerings, enable expansion into newer markets and accelerate the segment’s transition towards a relatively mature real estate asset class,” said Vimal Nadar, National Director and Head of Research, Colliers India.

Emerging Tier II/III cities and spiritual hubs to gain momentum

While Tier I cities[1] currently account for majority of India’s organized senior living stock, the segment is gradually expanding into Tier II & III markets. Cities such as Coimbatore, Puducherry, Dehradun, Vadodara along with spiritual hubs like Tirupati, Vrindavan and Ayodhya are emerging as attractive destinations for senior housing due to evolving lifestyle preferences and cultural appeal. These locations offer a compelling value proposition in the form of lower cost of living, improving healthcare infrastructure, relatively affordable real estate price points and a slower pace of life in general. Looking ahead, as awareness and acceptance of senior living projects continue to grow and expand beyond Tier I cities, emerging Tier II/III cities are expected to account for a growing share of around 30-40% in new project launches and broaden the segment’s geographic footprint across the country.

Wellness, innovation and policy impetus likely to shape the future of senior living

Developers to embrace integrated and wellness focused solutions: India’s senior living landscape is witnessing a gradual shift from standalone developments to integrated living and care ecosystem. While in case of both independent & assisted living formats, 1,2 & 3 BHK configuration units continue to remain dominant, real estate developers are increasingly incorporating senior living clusters within villas, large mixed-use developments & integrated townships wherein senior residents can benefit from shared amenities, social interaction, healthcare access & community engagement. Going ahead, developers are likely to increasingly broaden their offerings and cater to diverse needs such as dementia care, emergency support, rehabilitation and wellness services. At the same time, operator-led models could gain further traction as leading real estate developers partner with local healthcare providers, unlocking investment opportunities in both established and emerging markets.

Technology, sustainability & innovation to shape the next phase of senior living: Technology and sustainability are set to play an increasingly important role in the evolution of India’s senior living market across multiple facets. To enhance living experience, developers and operators are increasingly integrating smart home features, telemedicine & remote health monitoring services, and AI-enabled emergency response systems into their offerings. Additionally, during the construction stage, advanced technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing have the potential to improve project efficiency, reduce development costs and enhance the accessibility of senior living facilities across a wider range of income segments. At the same time, growing emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency and wellness centric design will increasingly drive developers and investors towards green certified, future-ready senior living developments.

Regulatory reforms to strengthen senior living ecosystem across cities: The regulatory environment for senior living in India is expected to strengthen further in the coming years, following recent reinforcement of model guidelines for senior living projects, which were originally issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2019. This renewed emphasis is set to encourage states and union territories to develop guidelines that will strengthen the overall regulatory framework for senior housing in India. These guidelines along with mandatory Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) compliance requirements will bring greater standardization, transparency, operational efficiency and accountability across senior living projects. Select states like Haryana and Maharashtra have already taken proactive steps towards establishing dedicated guidelines/policies for senior living projects, signalling the growing need for regulatory oversight in the segment.

Government Proposes Five-Year Extension for Cleaner Commercial Vehicles Under National Permit Rules

New Delhi, Aug 18: The government has proposed extending the permissible age of battery-operated, hydrogen-powered and natural gas-driven commercial vehicles by five years under the national permit system, a move aimed at encouraging cleaner transport and making alternative-fuel vehicles more attractive to fleet operators.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed the changes through draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The proposal applies only to vehicles covered under the national permit framework and would not extend the age limit for all commercial vehicles.

If approved, the move could give operators more time to recover the higher upfront cost of cleaner vehicles. This could be particularly helpful for businesses that are considering electric, hydrogen or natural gas vehicles but remain concerned about initial investment and financing costs.

The draft amendments also seek to simplify the national permit system. Operators could be allowed to obtain permit authorisation electronically for up to five years at a time, while the annual fee would remain at Rs 16,500. This would allow operators to avoid the need for annual renewal.

The government also plans to expand the use of the VAHAN database to reduce paperwork. Vehicle and registration details already available on the portal could be automatically retrieved during applications, allowing users to provide only information that is not already recorded.

Additional changes have been proposed for vehicle registration and documentation. These include information related to insurance, pollution certificates, fitness certificates, pending challans and previous national permits.

The draft also proposes bringing eligible automotive component manufacturers involved in research and development within the trade certificate framework, which could support testing and development activities in the automobile sector.

The proposed reforms come as India seeks to modernise its commercial transport system while encouraging greater adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies.

For transport operators, a longer operating life could improve the economics of investing in alternative-fuel vehicles. At the same time, a more digital permit system could reduce administrative delays and make compliance easier.

The government has invited objections and suggestions on the draft amendments for 30 days. The proposals will become effective only after their final publication in the Official Gazette.

If approved, the changes could give cleaner commercial vehicles a longer operating window while supporting investment, reducing paperwork and accelerating India’s transition towards more sustainable road transport.

Different Genes, Same Result: How Flies Evolved Multiple Ways to Define Heads and Tails

One of the most important milestones in the early life of an organism is when the embryo breaks symmetry and arranges itself to form the head (anterior) at one end and tail (posterior) at the other end. Scientists have used the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) for decades as a model species to study the process for forming the anterior-posterior body axis, along with countless other early developmental and genetic processes.

In fruit flies, a gene called bicoid controls this process. This is a unique gene that only exists in some fly species, but in 2019, Urs Schmidt-Ott, PhD, Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago, and his team discovered three unrelated and more widely conserved genes that adopted the same job in other fly species. This is an extreme example of developmental systems drift—when developmental gene networks diverge while preserving the outcome—in this case, the head-to-tail axis.

Since then, Schmidt-Ott and his lab developed new genetic tools to study these genes in different fly species. They hope to understand whether the genes work like bicoid or have a different mechanism, and how such substitutions affect the embryo’s gene network further downstream.

In a new study published recently in PLOS Biology, they examined the mechanism by which a gene called odd-paired establishes the head-to-tail axis in a moth fly, Clogmia albipunctata. Also known as a drain fly, this harmless species can be found hanging around hot, moist environments like sewer drains, plant pots, or stuffy public restrooms in the summer. To better handle their muggy habitats, they have a dense coat of hair that makes them look like little moths, hiding the fact that they hold keys for understanding how new axis determinants, acting like the well-known bicoid gene, emerged in the course of evolution. 

“We knew that the majority of flies lack this bicoid gene, although it’s super important in Drosophila,” Schmidt-Ott said. “That triggered our search for such factors in other fly species. It turns out each of these other species has its own interesting story.”

Taken together, these stories reveal the principle of an evolutionary process in which a different version of the same protein produced from a single gene (known as an alternative transcript isoform) is co-opted as a cue for the embryo’s developmental gene network. 

In both moth fly and fruit fly embryos, expression of the odd-paired gene ensures that the correct number of body segments form as the larval body plan develops. However, moth fly mothers also express odd-paired earlier, during formation of the egg. This transcript provides a nearly identical protein but at a different time and in a different location—the prospective head region of the egg. This localized early activity of odd-paired is what lets it be reused to break axial symmetry in moth flies.

But the researchers also wanted to know how odd-paired functions at the molecular level in moth flies to break the symmetry. The new study provides answers to their questions about its downstream targets, and if they are the same as the targets of bicoid in fruit flies.

Both bicoid and odd-paired affect chromatin accessibility in the genome, which describes how open or closed a region of DNA is inside the cell nucleus. DNA is packaged with associated proteins to form material called chromatin. Open chromatin is loosely packed and more accessible to be expressed and regulated; closed chromatin is tightly packed and less accessible to genetic machinery.

Fruit flies and moth flies both break symmetry by managing chromatin accessibility in regions of the genome that promote the expression of genes required for developing the head, but their target genes differ. While bicoid has dozens of direct target genes (the earliest and best studied is one called hunchback), the odd-paired substitute of moth flies may not target this gene at all. Instead, moth flies start developing the head by activating two different genes called homeobrain and sloppy-paired.

It is still unclear if these two genes are sufficient to break axial symmetry in most fly species, or if the early embryonic gene networks of other flies are far more diverse. If so, researchers hope that comparing the developmental gene networks of many fly species will help to answer questions about which of these genetic network features are most resistant to change, and why.

Schmidt-Ott said the example of axial patterning in fly embryos shows the value of studying multiple species, even when there is such a well-established model as the fruit fly. “One big benefit of going with these multi-species approaches is that you can see how nature solved the same problem in different lineages,” he said. “There are 150,000 described fly species out there, and there is a huge variation in how they achieve the same job of establishing head tail polarity of the embryo. By looking into these natural experiments, I think we can better understand principles of how these mechanisms work and change in the course of evolution.”

The study, “Asymmetric chromatin accessibility underlies anterior-posterior axis specification in moth fly embryos,” was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. Additional authors include Ezra E. Amiri, Muzi Li, Ayse Tenger-Trolander, Maxwell Devine, and Koray Kasan from UChicago; Alexander Thomas Julian from the Illinois Institute of Technology; Sheri A. Sanders from the University of Notre Dame; and Shelby A. Blythe from Northwestern University.

SEBI Launches Two Portals to Strengthen Cybersecurity and Incident Reporting

Mumbai, August 18: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched two new portals aimed at strengthening cybersecurity, improving cyber-incident reporting and facilitating information sharing across the securities market ecosystem.

The SEBI Incident Reporting Portal is designed to make reporting of cyber incidents more structured, timely and actionable. It also aligns incident reporting with the Common Information Framework for Incidents (CIFI), helping bring greater uniformity to reporting and facilitating coordination, including in cross-border incidents.

The Cyber Suraksha Portal will serve as a central platform for sharing cybersecurity knowledge, vulnerability alerts, policy measures and insights from incidents.

SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, speaking at the regulator’s five-day Cyber Defence Symposium in Mumbai, called for a shift from periodic cybersecurity compliance to continuous, risk-driven cyber resilience.

The symposium, being held from August 17-21, brings together participants from India and 15 IOSCO jurisdictions for cybersecurity exercises, tabletop simulations and cyber-range activities. Pandey stressed that financial institutions must focus not only on preventing attacks but also on quickly detecting, containing and recovering from them.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Hands Over Approval for 2.89 Lakh PMAY-G Houses Worth Rs.3,473 Crore in Rajasthan

Baran, August 18: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday handed over approval for 2,89,355 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to Rajasthan, involving an outlay of ₹3,473 crore.

Chouhan, who was visiting Rajasthan, participated in a state-level PMAY-G programme in Baran along with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. He also handed over an approval letter for ₹340.59 crore under agricultural development initiatives and the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to providing pucca houses to poor families in Rajasthan was being fulfilled.

“Today, approval is being given for 2,89,355 houses at a cost of ₹3,473 crore,” Chouhan said, adding that the initiative would bring a positive transformation in the lives of families living in kutcha houses.

Chouhan said the survey of 29,13,749 new beneficiaries had been completed. Following physical verification, houses would be sanctioned for the remaining eligible beneficiaries.

He directed authorities to display transparent beneficiary lists at district and panchayat levels, hear objections and ensure that eligible families are not excluded because of errors or procedural shortcomings.

The Union Minister announced three significant changes in the eligibility criteria for housing assistance.

Under the revised norms, families owning a two-wheeler will also be eligible for a pucca house. The monthly income ceiling for women has been increased from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000, while small farmers owning up to five acres of unirrigated land or 2.5 acres of irrigated land will also qualify for housing assistance.

Highlighting the government’s focus on women’s economic empowerment, Chouhan said 16 lakh women in Rajasthan had so far become Lakhpati Didis. The target would now be doubled to 32 lakh.

He said women had received ₹13,400 crore through various banks to support entrepreneurial activities.

Referring to the newly introduced Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Yojana, Chouhan said Rajasthan had been given a target of ₹12,000 crore in investment over the next nine months.

He said the programme would extend to every gram panchayat, with an objective of providing approximately ₹80 lakh annually to each panchayat. Development priorities, he said, would be decided locally rather than solely at the state or central level.

“The people themselves will decide development plans at the panchayat level,” Chouhan said.

On urea availability, Chouhan said the government was taking steps to shield farmers from international price fluctuations. Although the cost of a bag of urea is around ₹3,000, farmers would continue to receive it at ₹266, he said.

He also assured farmers that strict action would be taken against black marketing of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.

Chouhan said the existing legal framework was inadequate to tackle the sale of fake pesticides and substandard seeds. He announced that stronger legislation covering pesticides and seeds would be introduced in the next session of Parliament, with provisions for stringent punishment for those involved in such malpractice.

The Union Minister said he would work with agricultural scientists and local farmers to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the Kota-Jhalawar region.

The roadmap would cover the entire agricultural value chain, including crop diversification, processing, marketing and exports, with the aim of improving farmers’ incomes from the farm gate to global markets.

Chouhan also called upon citizens to contribute to social causes, including tree plantation, education for daughters and efforts towards creating a drug-free society. He administered a pledge to those present and urged collective efforts to build a Viksit Rajasthan and Viksit Gaon.

Speaking on the significance of Vande Mataram, Chouhan said the song represents India’s freedom struggle, sacrifice and patriotism. He said respecting Vande Mataram was a duty of every Indian.

5 Protein Whey Supplements Worth Buying

Protein has become a key part of modern fitness, helping active individuals support recovery, build muscle and meet their daily nutritional needs. As more consumers invest in supplements, they are also becoming more conscious of what goes into their protein shake, looking beyond flavour and protein content to factors such as ingredient quality, digestibility, formulation and third-party testing. With so many options available, choosing the right whey protein can be overwhelming. Here’s a look at five whey protein supplements that stand out for different fitness goals.

1. MuscleBlaze: For Advanced Athletic Recovery 

Lifting weights needs structure, which can take in a gradual overload; MuscleBlaze has it covered with its primary product, Biozyme Gold 100% Whey, equipped with a proprietary Enhanced Absorption Formula (EAF) and fortified with probiotics to cater to a heavy training regimen. Independent third-party lab-certified, it’s the choice for athletes seeking reliable post-workout recovery. 

2. AS-IT-IS Nutrition: For Performance-Focused Training and Holistic Health

Whether you’re lifting weights, running, playing a sport or simply trying to meet your daily protein requirements, choosing the right whey protein can make a meaningful difference. ATOM Whey Protein by AS-IT-IS Nutrition combines Global-quality whey with a digestive enzyme blend to support better digestion and nutrient absorption. Backed by independent verification through Trustified and Labdoor, testing platforms widely recognised by performance athletes for quality assurance, it reflects the brand’s focus on ingredient transparency and quality assurance. Developed for athletes and individuals following structured training programmes, it supports muscle recovery, lean muscle development and an active lifestyle, making it suitable for both fitness enthusiasts and those looking to strengthen their overall nutrition routine.

3. Avvatar: For Farm-to-Gym Freshness

When you buy protein from raw material direct from milk farms, the protein is manufactured completely differently. Avvatar’s 100% Performance Whey in Cold Coffee is formulated focusing on liquid milk being processed to convert to whey that maintains native protein fractions and goes straight to manufacturing at their facility, ensuring strict quality norms on locally manufactured protein supplements. 

4. Nakpro: For Multi-Stage Protein Delivery 

Human muscles need a supply of amino acids round the clock to keep recovering. Nakpro’s Titanium Tri-Blend protein provides steady nourishment, using a mix of several whey strains and comes with the advantage of clean profile engineering and reliable safety tests. It’s your reliable go-to for every workout.

5. Nutrabay: For Customised Stack Integration 

Whether looking to bulk, cut, or boost their overall wellness, consumers are increasingly opting for products that align perfectly with their nutrition regime. Nutrabay Gold 100% Whey Protein Concentrate provides a high-quality whey concentrate formulation formulated for daily consumption, an excellent choice for customers looking to complete their supplement stack.

Choosing the right whey protein is about finding a supplement that aligns with your fitness goals while offering quality, transparency and a formulation you can trust. Whether your priority is recovery, performance or everyday nutrition, paying attention to ingredients, testing standards and nutritional profile can help you make a more informed choice. After all, the best supplement is one that complements consistent training, balanced nutrition and long-term fitness habits.

Mayfair Residency’s 20:80 ‘Freedom from Rent’ Campaign Records 200 Home Sales in 30 Days

Noida, 17 August 2026: Mayfair Residency, a residential development by Supercity Developers in Techzone-4, Greater Noida West, has recorded the sale of 200 homes in just 30 days, following a strong market response to its distinctive 20:80 ‘Freedom from Rent’ campaign.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple proposition: pay 20% now and the balance 80% at the offer of possession, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

The strategy emerged through regular discussions between Supercity Developers and Big Bucks India, one of the project’s key channel partners, around the project’s advanced stage of development, its future sales strategy and the changing needs of homebuyers. Rather than structuring the campaign primarily around a price discount, the two teams focused on reducing the financial burden between booking and possession. The resulting proposition became the foundation of the ‘Freedom from Rent’ campaign.

For many homebuyers, particularly those purchasing their first home while currently living on rent, the period between buying an under-construction property and receiving possession can create a financial challenge. Depending on the buyer’s financing structure, rental expenditure and home-loan obligations can overlap.

Mayfair Residency’s 20:80 structure seeks to address this by requiring only 20% at the initial stage and linking the substantial 80% balance to the offer of possession. For buyers financing the balance through a home loan, this can help move a significant part of the loan obligation closer to the stage when they are preparing to move into their new home, subject to individual loan sanction and disbursement terms.

20% Now. 80% at Offer of Possession. Freedom from Rent.

The proposition is particularly distinctive because Mayfair Residency is already at an advanced stage of development, allowing Supercity Developers to structure a large proportion of its future collections around possession rather than collecting most of the consideration much earlier in the construction cycle.

“When we were discussing the next phase of Mayfair Residency with the Big Bucks team, we wanted to create something more meaningful than another discount-led campaign. A homebuyer who is already paying rent should ideally not have to carry the financial burden associated with a new home for a long period before being able to use it. That thought became the foundation of 20:80 — pay 20% today and the substantial 80% balance at the offer of possession.” — Zubin Miglani, Supercity Developers

“It also represents the confidence we have in the stage Mayfair Residency has reached. Our focus today is on execution and taking the project towards possession. A structure like this aligns our interests with those of our customers: we want to complete and offer possession, while the customer keeps a substantial portion of the purchase consideration protected until that milestone.” — Zubin Miglani, Supercity Developers

The structure can also be attractive to investors because it provides exposure to a residential asset with a comparatively limited initial capital commitment during the period leading towards possession. Any future price appreciation, however, remains dependent on market conditions and is not assured.

Big Bucks India has played a major role in translating the strategy into market response. Through extensive broker mobilisation, digital and on-ground marketing, customer engagement, site visits and sales conversion, its team and channel network have been instrumental in facilitating the sale of 200 homes during the campaign period.

“The 20:80 proposition came out of continuous discussions with Supercity Developers on how we could create a campaign suited specifically to the stage Mayfair Residency has reached. The strength of the proposition is its simplicity — a customer commits 20% today and the substantial balance becomes payable at the offer of possession. Our teams then focused heavily on communicating that proposition across the market and bringing customers to experience the project on ground. The response of 200 sales in 30 days validates the strength of that collaboration.” — Abhishek Singh, Big Bucks India

The milestone was celebrated on 15 August at a special homebuyers’ event built around the ‘Freedom from Rent’ theme, bringing together customers and their families for an Independence Day celebration of homeownership.

Eligible customers also participated in a grand lucky draw featuring rewards worth approximately ₹1 crore, including cars, motorcycles, consumer electronics and other prizes, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.Mayfair Residency is spread across approximately 5.9 acres and comprises 12 residential towers and approximately 1,050 homes, offering 2, 3 and 4 BHK residences along with a clubhouse, swimming pool, sports facilities and landscaped green spaces.With construction at an advanced stage, Supercity Developers’ immediate focus remains on execution, customer experience and progressing Mayfair Residency towards possession.

Anurag Jain Assumes Charge as NITI Aayog CEO

New Delhi, August 17: Senior IAS officer Anurag Jain on Monday took charge as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog, marking his return to the Central government after serving as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh.

Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed CEO of NITI Aayog by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet in July. His tenure will run for an overall period of two years, or until further orders, subject to the terms specified in the government order.

The appointment comes as NITI Aayog continues to play a central role in policy coordination, economic reforms and Centre-State cooperation. Jain brings extensive administrative experience in infrastructure, industrial policy, finance, logistics, urban development and public administration.

During his career, Jain has held several important positions at both the Centre and in Madhya Pradesh. He has also been associated with major government initiatives, including work related to infrastructure planning and implementation.

As CEO, Jain will oversee the day-to-day functioning of NITI Aayog and coordinate with Union ministries, state governments and other stakeholders on key development priorities. His responsibilities are expected to include supporting policy formulation, monitoring flagship programmes and advancing reforms linked to infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics and inclusive growth.

Jain succeeds Nidhi Chhibber, who had been holding additional charge of the NITI Aayog CEO post following the completion of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam’s tenure in February 2026.

His appointment is being viewed as a move that could strengthen NITI Aayog’s focus on implementation-oriented governance and closer coordination between policy design and execution as India pursues its long-term Viksit Bharat@2047 development agenda.

Gujarat Opens New Global Investment Chapter as CM Patel Begins US Outreach

San Francisco, Aug 17: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has begun a US outreach programme aimed at strengthening international business ties and attracting fresh investment to the state ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027.

The visit brings Gujarat’s investment and development agenda directly to global businesses, investors and technology leaders in the United States. The Chief Minister and his delegation are expected to engage with industry representatives and members of the Gujarati diaspora to explore opportunities for partnerships and investment.

The outreach comes as Gujarat prepares for the next edition of the Vibrant Gujarat summit, a major platform for connecting the state with international investors and businesses. The government is seeking to build interest well in advance of the event and highlight opportunities across emerging and established sectors.

San Francisco, a major global centre for technology and innovation, provides an important setting for discussions around technology, startups, digital innovation and new-age industries. Greater collaboration in these areas could help bring new expertise, investment and business opportunities to Gujarat.

The engagement also has the potential to support Gujarat’s wider employment and entrepreneurship ecosystem. New investments can contribute to industrial expansion, create jobs and encourage the development of skills needed for emerging sectors.

The Gujarati diaspora is expected to remain an important part of the outreach. With a strong presence in business and professional networks across the US, members of the community can help strengthen connections between international companies and opportunities in Gujarat.

The state is also looking to showcase its broader business environment, infrastructure and industrial capabilities as it seeks to attract companies looking for new markets and investment destinations.

For Gujarat, the overseas engagement is part of a larger strategy to connect global capital, technology and expertise with local opportunities. Rather than waiting for investors to arrive at the summit, the state is taking its investment message directly to major international business centres.

The San Francisco visit therefore marks an early step in building momentum for Vibrant Gujarat 2027. If the outreach results in new partnerships and investment commitments, it could strengthen Gujarat’s position as a destination for manufacturing, technology, startups, innovation and global business expansion.