ZS makes a lasting social impact in Pune through targeted CSR initiatives

Pune, India – May 2025: ZS, a global management consulting and technology firm, recently released its India sustainability report for 2024. The report highlights the impact of its initiatives on 85,655 beneficiaries through social programs and strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations. With a donation of INR 9.3 crores in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ZS collaborated with 20 nonprofit partners to address critical societal challenges in four key areas: healthcare, education, economic empowerment, and environment and sustainability. The firm’s 2,246 volunteers contributed a total of 7,663 hours to programs in these focus areas, demonstrating ZS’s commitment to meaningful Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities.

“The impact created would not have been possible without the dedication of ZSers and the support of our NGO partners,” said Rohit Bhagwat, office managing principal and global ESG working group member at ZS.

He mentioned, “ZS will continue investing in sustainable initiatives that empower people and uplift communities. Together, we are not just supporting change, we are leading it. Let’s keep pushing boundaries, amplifying our impact and shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

ZS is deeply committed to driving positive social change and empowering communities across India. Through sustained volunteer engagement and strategic partnerships, ZS invests in initiatives that create a lasting impact. We focus on building a brighter future for individuals and communities, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable society.

Key highlights of ZS’s Pune-based social development initiatives:

Cervical cancer: As part of its commitment to improving community health, ZS partnered with Jivika Healthcare to provide cervical cancer vaccinations to women across India. Through this initiative, 1,200 adolescent girls in Pune, received the HPV vaccine, a critical step in reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

•  ZS partnered with Jeevan Stambh Foundation and Seva Arogya Foundations in 2024 to organize a series of health checkup camps and outpatient departments in urban slums of New Delhi and Pune, enabling access to access to quality healthcare for over 12,500 underserved individuals. Moreover, to improve hygiene practices at the household level, 700 general hygiene kits were distributed.
• ZS also collaborated with the Rotary Club to enhance the Maternity and Neonatal Ward at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cantonment General Hospital, equipping it with advanced medical technology and surgical theaters to provide free, high-quality care to around 2,000 underprivileged women and newborns.

Education and digital inclusion: ZS partnered with ROBOTEX India in 2024, furthering the company’s mission to bridge the digital divide and empower 1200 students from 03 schools in urban, rural, and tribal regions with STEM education.

• ZS launched ZScholarship in Pune in 2020 with Seva Sahayog and scaled it to Bengaluru and New Delhi in 2022 in partnership with Buddy4Study, offering merit-based financial assistance to students from low-income families. This initiative is open to students pursuing undergraduate degrees in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, with the scholarship providing up to INR 50,000 annually for specialized programs and INR 20,000 for general graduation.

Women’s economic empowerment

To foster economic empowerment, ZS partnered with Seva Sahyog Foundation in Pune and trained many women in essential sewing skills, opening doors to employment and financial independence.

Environment and sustainability

Following the commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment, ZS, through meaningful collaborations with partners, colleagues and communities, actively addressed the challenges of climate change and worked towards sustainable solutions. In Pune, alongside Green Yatra Trust, ZS planted 500 saplings at Gawali Udyan using the Miyawaki method.

The Micro Real Estate Turnaround: Investing in the Right Kind of Small

By -Sumit Pathak CEO Linus Internationals FZCO

As India’s urban footprint grows tighter and housing costs inch upward across key metros and emerging cities, a quiet but significant shift is underway in the real estate market. The focus is no longer just on land banks and luxury towers, but on square footage that’s lean, liveable, and sharply aligned with contemporary urban needs. Enter micro real estate—a convergence of compact housing formats, modular construction, co-living models, and fractional ownership that may well redefine the next decade of real estate investment.

 Compact Spaces, Expansive Logic
Micro-units, typically measuring between 200 and 400 square feet, have graduated from being a fringe curiosity to a viable urban typology. Whether in the form of cleverly designed studios, prefabricated housing clusters, or upcycled commercial buildings, these spaces maximize efficiency without compromising on function. Foldaway beds, vertical storage, integrated kitchenettes and high-speed connectivity enable a standard of living that younger, mobile, digitally-native tenants increasingly see as both sufficient and aspirational.
It’s a demographic shift that urban developers can’t afford to ignore. With the rise of single-person households, remote-first professionals, and location-flexible entrepreneurs, demand for independent, affordable housing in city centers continues to outpace supply.

 From Investment Per Unit to Return Per Square Foot
Micro real estate’s attractiveness isn’t just architectural—it’s financial. Smaller units yield a higher rent-to-cost ratio, lower per-unit CAPEX, and reduced construction timelines—especially with modular building technologies. Investors are leveraging old motels, unused rooftops, and even parking lots to build income-generating assets. In cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Gurugram, these properties offer stable occupancy, fast returns, and lower volatility during market corrections. Simultaneously, asset-light platforms and tech-enabled property management systems are reducing overhead for developers and landlords alike. From onboarding tenants to collecting payments and handling maintenance, everything can now be managed remotely—scaling these assets into an operationally lean business.

 The Formalization of Co-Living: A Professionalized PG Economy

A critical derivative of this trend is the evolution of the ‘PG’ (paying guest) market into structured co- living models. Managed by institutional players, these spaces are now marketed less as temporary solutions and more as lifestyle choices. Shared lounges, gyms, co-working spaces, and flexible leases cater to urban workers who prize convenience over commitment. Brands like Stanza Living and Zolo are tapping into this segment with VC-backed precision—offering tiered pricing, bundled services, and experience-led branding. Unlike conventional rental markets, co-living operators focus on churn-friendly business models. Tenants are expected to move frequently—but the systems are designed to absorb and profit from that dynamism, not suffer from it.

Beyond Ownership: The Emergence of Fractional and Co-Owned Housing
As real estate continues to outprice a generation of aspiring owners, co-ownership models are beginning to gain traction. Multiple buyers invest in a single unit—sometimes for rental yield, other times for shared access. The legal frameworks are still catching up, but in principle, these models democratize property acquisition and introduce new avenues for portfolio diversification. Several platforms in India are now offering fractional ownership of commercial assets—warehousing, retail space, even vacation homes—enabling middle-class investors to enter traditionally inaccessible segments of the market with modest ticket sizes.

 Regulation and Rethinking of Urban Zoning
The long-term viability of micro and co-living formats will depend, in part, on how quickly policy catches up with practice. Zoning laws, density limits, and building code compliance remain friction points, especially in older urban cores. However, some states are beginning to experiment—with pilot models in Maharashtra and Karnataka showing early interest in permitting alternative housing formats under revised regulations. As urban planning frameworks gradually shift towards sustainability, transit-oriented development, and social equity, micro real estate offers a practical, data-backed alternative to sprawl or verticality alone.

 A New Investment Thesis Rooted in Utility
The growing popularity of compact housing is not just a reaction to affordability constraints. It reflects a generational realignment—where flexibility, walkability, and access to infrastructure outweigh the traditional appeal of size and permanence. For investors, this signals an opportunity to reframe value creation: not around land accumulation, but around how intelligently that land is used. Micro real estate is not about scaling down ambition. It’s about optimizing for the realities of a shifting urban economy—one where utility, not opulence, will define tomorrow’s residential demand.

The Rise of North Bangalore as a thriving real estate destination

By-Anjana Sastri, Director – Marketing, Sterling Developers

Bangalore, India’s Silicon Valley and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, continues to attract people from all over the world. Today, it has established itself as one of the most desirable cities in India, primarily because of the rapid urbanisation, economic development, infrastructure improvements, thriving employment and the startup culture, providing sufficient opportunities to professionals and entrepreneurs to make the city their abode. The city has multiple hotspots with the most recent and attractive one being North Bengaluru, which has transformed into a bustling metropolis, fuelling opportunities and aspirations. The area offers a wide range of housing choices, from affordable apartments to luxury villas, catering to various budget segments. It boasts bustling IT parks and commercial hubs and new and attractive retail, entertainment and hospitality destinations. North Bengaluru is rapidly emerging as a prime destination for growth and development, and there are compelling reasons why it is at the forefront of this transformation. Here are some key factors driving this shift:

Key Micro Markets driving growth: Hotspots of Housing in North Bangalore

North Bangalore, particularly, has experienced remarkable growth, with areas like Hebbal and Thanisandra being the destination for residential housing for IT professionals working in the area. Conversely, Yelahanka and Doddaballapur Road have been the hot spot for plotted and villa developments, providing comfortable living in tranquil environments. Additionally, Hennur and Jakkur are experiencing high-speed residential development, with modern developments catering to the growing demand for well-connected, quality urban living.

Excellent Connectivity

Connectivity has played a crucial role in the rapid growth of North Bengaluru’s real estate sector. Its strategic location near the Kempegowda International Airport and excellent connectivity through major highways like Bellary Road, Outer Ring Road, and Tumkur Road make it an ideal choice for residents. Additionally, rapid infrastructure development through Namma Metro and the Bengaluru Suburban Railway have been growth catalysts making it a favourable location for business, employment prospects, and housing. This convenient connectivity has made North Bangalore a highly sought-after destination for real estate investors.

Infrastructure Boom: A Catalyst for Growth

North Bangalore, once known as the city’s outskirts, is currently experiencing an infrastructure renaissance that promises a brighter future for the region. The significant surge in infrastructure development is transforming this area into one of Bangalore’s most desirable destinations for real estate. The government has undertaken several infrastructure development projects in North Bangalore, including the development of the Aerospace Park and the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR). Devanahalli Business Park: This business park is adjacent to the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) and is expected to attract many multinational companies and start-ups to the region. These projects have not only created job opportunities but also contributed to the growth of the real estate market in the area and is expected to push property prices higher as North Bengaluru becomes even more accessible, attracting more real estate development.

Excellent Investment and Future Growth Potential

The luxury real estate market in North Bangalore holds immense investment potential. With the area becoming a central node for both residential and commercial developments, property prices are expected to appreciate significantly over the coming years driven by factors like infrastructure improvements, job growth, and increased demand for premium homes. The synergy of promising factors transforms this region into a prime destination for those eyeing sustained growth and stability in their investment portfolio. Overall, North Bangalore’s real estate market is poised for sustained growth, making it an attractive investment option.

Growth as a business hub and plethora of employment opportunities

The presence of major IT parks and business hubs in the region has further elevated its appeal, making it a thriving employment zone and attracting a workforce with aspirations for luxurious living. North Bengaluru is now home to some of the most prominent multinational companies, which in turn has attracted a workforce eager to live close to their workplaces. Proximity to these workplaces significantly enhances the work-life balance, making North Bangalore a sought-after locale for professionals.

Lifestyle & Social Infrastructure: The Ultimate Differentiator

Bangalore’s changing social infrastructure has ensured that high-end residential developments are accompanied by world-class amenities. The availability of international schools, hospitals, luxury shopping malls, and high-quality dining and entertainment is making upscale micro-markets more and more desirable for families and investors alike. Overall, the physical and social infrastructure of North Bangalore has all the right ingredients to enable a global lifestyle. People from across the country and world have moved to North Bangalore and as a result it also has one of the biggest expat populations in the country. These factors have made North Bangalore a melting pot of cultures and one of the most cosmopolitan localities in the investor’s paradise of Bangalore.

North Bangalore’s real estate market is poised for sustained growth, making it an attractive investment option, driven by the anticipated development of other major tech parks and industrial clusters. The region has already seen substantial development of office spaces, logistics parks, and warehouses, driving demand for both residential and commercial properties. Together, these developments paint a promising future for the region, solidifying its status as a prime location for both real estate and business opportunities. For homebuyers and investors looking to combine comfort, convenience, luxury, exclusivity and long-term value, North Bangalore stands out as a destination that promises unparalleled opportunities.

Royal Marsden Taps AI with NTT DATA, CARPL.ai to Advance Cancer Research

London, UK – 27 May 2025 – The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a world-leading specialist cancer center, has today announced a pioneering partnership with NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and technology services, and CARPL.ai, a leading enterprise imaging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning operations (MLOps) platform. Together, they have designed and built an advanced AI-powered radiology analysis service for the development and evaluation of AI in medical imaging, designed to transform cancer research and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.

AI’s potential to enhance the speed and accuracy of identifying imaging biomarkers has long been recognized. Funded by a three-year grant from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the service will be used for research at The Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), including projects in collaboration with other research teams. This research initiative will focus on developing and evaluating AI algorithms to improve the accuracy of cancer evaluation, including sarcoma, lung, breast, brain and prostate cancers. This will lead to faster response times, more accurate diagnoses and better-targeted treatments.

The service runs on a MLOps clinical imaging platform, built and operated by NTT DATA. To enable this, NTT DATA developed a bespoke AI computing solution leveraging high-performance Dell servers and utilizing the latest GPU processing capacity orchestrated by the CARPL.ai platform, which helps test and manage AI algorithms and includes a large collection of radiology AI models.

NTT DATA is also providing specialist imaging AI consulting services, helping researchers at The Royal Marsden test and evaluate emerging AI tools in real clinical settings, while extracting maximum insight and value from both in-house and commercial algorithms.

“AI has immense potential to support clinicians in diagnosing and treating cancer earlier and more precisely,” said Professor Dow-Mu Koh, Professor in Functional Cancer Imaging and Consultant Radiologist in Functional Imaging at The Royal Marsden. “By working with NTT DATA and CARPL.ai, we’ve created a scalable research environment that allows us to explore the full potential of AI safely and in a way that could one day transform cancer diagnosis and treatment across the NHS.”

Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said: “Our 10 Year Health Plan will modernize the NHS, replacing outdated systems with cutting-edge digital solutions. While this trial is in its early stages, it represents exactly the kind of collaboration between the NHS, industry and academia that will help build a health service fit for the future. Early detection saves lives, and innovations like AI will transform how cancer is diagnosed and treated – helping patients receive faster and more effective care.”

Professor Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation, said: “Cancer is one of the biggest killers in the UK. That must change. This three-year grant will help researchers push the boundaries of AI-driven technology for cancer detection and diagnosis.

“This AI-powered service represents the cutting edge of cancer research and it is going to transform treatment, better support NHS staff and ultimately change patients’ lives. It is another great example of how NIHR-funded and supported research will ensure the best care is there when patients need it.”

Tom Winstanley, Chief Technology Officer at NTT DATA UK & Ireland, commented: “This service is a great example of responsible innovation in practice, showing the ethical, secure use of AI in healthcare. We are very proud to support The Royal Marsden in pushing the boundaries of cancer research.”

Once the service is live, research teams at The Royal Marsden will be able to evaluate a range of AI models across several cancer types. These studies will generate critical insights into how AI can support clinical decision-making and shape future approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Through CARPL.ai’s centralized interface and built-in monitoring tools, the research teams will also be able to track model performance over time, enabling faster feedback loops between development and deployment – a crucial step towards clinical translation. NTT DATA will continue to work closely with The Royal Marsden to support this next phase of research which will ultimately improve cancer care and patient outcomes.