Ameera Shah-led Metropolis Healthcare Limited, India’s second largest and the most respected pathology laboratory chain, today announced the launch of the 8^th edition of its annual ‘MedEngage Scholarship Programme 2025-26’. This year, the initiative will support 350 medical students across India through scholarships and research grants, reinforcing Metropolis’ long-term commitment to nurturing the India’s next generation of clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals. Applications are now open for MBBS students across all years as well as MD/MS/DNB trainees and interns, with the last date for submission being 31^st December 2025.

Call for Medical Research Grant Applications Under MedEngage 2025–26

The 2025–26 edition introduces dedicated provisions for students from single-parent families and persons with disabilities, along with an enhanced focus on candidates from the 112 aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog. These additions broaden the programme’s reach to students who may face personal or social-economic barriers in pursuing academic and research advancement.

Supporting medical education and research through structured mentorship

To ensure fairness and transparency, scholarships will continue to follow a combined merit- and need-based evaluation framework that considers academic performance, research aptitude, and socio-economic background. In previous editions, nearly 55% of beneficiaries were from economically weaker sections, including 41% from aspirational districts—reflecting the programme’s continued focus on inclusive access. Applicants are assessed through a structured scoring model that evaluates academic distinction and the quality of their research proposal, while those facing financial hardship or limited institutional support receive priority under the need-based criteria.

Conceptualised by Founder Dr. Sushil Shah, the MedEngage Scholarship Programme has grown into one of India’s largest private-sector medical outreach initiatives in the healthcare space. Since its inception, it has benefitted over 10,000 students through outreach programmes and built a robust MedEngage Alumni Network of 4,500+ members. With a presence across 500+ medical institutions, MedEngage has become a trusted platform for young medical professionals seeking meaningful academic and research exposure. In addition to 1,000+ scholarships and 70+ research grants, the programme offers observerships, exposure to advanced laboratory practices and expert-led learning sessions that help strengthen clinical and academic capabilities.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Surendran Chemmenkotil, Managing Director, Metropolis Healthcare Limited, said, “MedEngage reflects our belief that true impact comes from enabling talent with real opportunities to learn, grow and contribute. By giving medical students access to modern diagnostic environments, expert guidance and research exposure, we are helping shape professionals who are better prepared for the demands of tomorrow’s healthcare system.”

Dr. Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer & Group Head – CSR, added, “MedEngage is designed to cultivate scientific curiosity early in a student’s academic journey. When young clinicians are exposed to research methodology, data interpretation and hands-on laboratory experience, they develop a deeper appreciation for evidence-based practice. Our aim is to mentor them into thinkers and innovators who can drive meaningful progress in diagnostics, scientific research and patient care.”

Deloitte continues as the programme’s process partner to ensure transparency and rigour in evaluating applications. An eminent jury comprising senior leaders from the medical and academic fraternity will assess submissions. The list of scholarship recipients will be announced in February 2026, followed by a felicitation ceremony in March 2026.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Medical students pursuing MBBS, MD/MS/DNB courses at any MCI-recognized college/university are eligible to apply.

• Applicants may be from government or private medical colleges.

• Priority is given to students from underprivileged families, particularly those from aspirational districts.

• Domicile in one of the 112 aspirational districts is required for students from those regions.

• Applicants must register through the MedEngage website www.med-engage.com and provide all required documentation for consideration. For inquiries, students can contact the MedEngage Support Team at support@med-engage.com or reach out via WhatsApp at +91 9152211510.

MedEngage by Metropolis remains dedicated to celebrating and honouring the young medical talent across the country. The programme has been widely recognized for its national impact, including the NATHealth Impact Award by the Healthcare Federation of India and accolades from ASSOCHAM and leading media organizations.

About Metropolis CSR

Metropolis Healthcare Limited is deeply committed to advancing social well-being across India, with its CSR vision aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – 3 (Good Health & Well-being), 4 (Quality Education) and 5 (Gender Equality). The company’s CSR framework is anchored in three flagship initiatives: the MedEngage Medical Outreach Programme, which supports aspiring medical professionals through scholarships, research grants and structured mentorship; the Too Shy to Ask (TSTA) / Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health initiative, which enables adolescents and young adults to engage in open, stigma-free discussions on sensitive health topics; and a series of Preventive Healthcare Projects focused on early detection, health awareness and promoting preventive practices within communities. Over the past four decades, Metropolis has strengthened these efforts by conducting extensive health camps, awareness workshops and community-based programmes in collaboration with educational institutions, government bodies, NGOs and wellness organizations—reflecting its long-standing commitment to access, awareness and empowerment across the communities it serves.

To address the growing need for unbiased career guidance, Aviation Ivy proudly announces its dedicated career counselling website. Aviation Ivy is designed for students and young professionals across India, seeking careers in aviation, hospitality, travel, or customer care. It is founded with the aim of providing free counselling to young aspirants and empowering them to make confident, well-informed career choices.

Your Journey to a Confident Aviation Career Starts

With increasing career options and limited guidance available, Aviation Ivy bridges this gap by offering expert-led personalised career counselling aligned with students’ interests and skills. Young students often struggle to identify the right path to achieve their goals. Aviation Ivy takes a transparent, student-first approach, offering services to help students focus on long-term career choices rather than follow job trends. It provides one-on-one counselling and training sessions, as well as detailed industry insights, all designed to help young aspirants gain clarity before committing time, energy, and resources to a particular career path.

With presence across all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Agra, Lucknow, Noida, Dehradun, and Rishikesh; Aviation Ivy is now available to all people seeking reliable career guidance from industry experts, at no cost, and is committed to helping students discover their true potential.

For more information, please visit – aviationivy.com

As interest in AI-ready capabilities strengthens across industries, N+, the AI-native learning platform from Sarder Inc., continues to expand its learner base. With access to 120 Microsoft courses and 48 AI CERTs™ certifications, the platform has crossed 122,000 installs. Over the last month, 55,000 new users came on board, resulting in a 270% increase in monthly growth and underlining the growing urgency around future-focused skills.

A large part of this growth is coming from corporate L&D teams, universities, training institutions, technologists, and working professionals who are choosing N+ for its simple, mobile-led learning experience and its clear path to certifications upon course completion. These groups have become the strongest drivers of the platform’s expansion, especially as more organisations around the world begin focusing on skills that prepare their teams for an AI-driven future.
 

Speaking on the platform’s trajectory, Mr. Abdul Ahad said, “At N+ our focus has always been clear and consistent, we want to empower learners with the skills that matter today and the capabilities they will need tomorrow. The momentum we are seeing across enterprises, institutions, and individual professionals shows that the shift toward AI-native learning is already underway. Being able to stand at the forefront of this transformation and support people as they prepare for the future means a great deal to us.”
 

N+ is preparing for its next phase of growth with deeper AI-driven personalization features that will introduce adaptive learning paths, smart practice modules, and advanced analytics designed for corporate L&D decision-making.
 

The team is strengthening the mobile experience to ensure smooth and reliable learning across all devices. Learners can access content offline, open lessons with faster load times, and engage with short, flexible learning formats that fit varied schedules. At the same time, N+ is building a wider network of partners by working more closely with universities, government skill programs, and global technology organisations. The idea is to make high-quality training accessible at a scale that truly matters.
 

For more information, visit www.nplus.global.

As winter descended on Delhi and the Qutub complex settled into stillness, the city witnessed The First Chapter of Songs of the Stone on 13th December with an after-dark cultural experience by Inkpot India that reimagined the Qutub Minar as a space for listening, reflection and cultural engagement.
 

Mehtab Ali Niazi and ensemble performs at the First Chapter of Songs of the Stone at the Qutub Minar
 

Hosted in association with Delhi Tourism and the Archaeological Survey of India, and co-presented by Max Estates, the evening was conceived as an intimate encounter between music, architecture and atmosphere, allowing the monument’s presence to shape the evening.
 

Curated by Simar Malhotra, founder at Inkpot India and an alumna of Stanford University and Columbia University, the evening featured a sitar performance by Mehtab Ali Niazi and his ensemble, whose repertoire was developed in response to the scale and acoustic character of the Qutub Minar. The performance drew from classical foundations while responding to the monument’s acoustics and setting. The evening opened with an address by Eric Chopra, author and founder of Itihasology who spoke on India’s living heritage, reflecting on the cultural continuum of the Qutub Minar and the Mehrauli region before the central musical performance commenced.
 

The musical experience was designed to engage all five senses through a considered integration of sound, sight, scent, taste and touch, creating an immersive cultural environment. The format emphasised attentiveness and presence, with the monument remaining central to the experience.

Simar Malhotra, Founder of Inkpot India said “We are so incredibly lucky in India to be surrounded by places like the Qutub Minar – places that don’t just hold history, but radiate it. Through Songs of the Stone, we want to bring alive heritage space, and craft moments of culture that can be lived and felt.”
 

Simar Malhotra, Founder of Inkpot India and Curator of Songs of the Stone, translating heritage architecture into Sounds, Space & Story

The audience comprised a curated gathering of cultural patrons, diplomats, artists and thinkers, including Former High Commissioner Sunjay Sudhir, Amrita Guha, Joya Nandurdikar (Untitled Designs), Shazia Ilmi, Suvir Saran, Suhana Nanda, Shah Umair (Sikkawala), Manish Saksena, Ananya Dasgupta, Dr Simal Soin, Sandeep Barasia and more.
 

Rooted in Inkpot India’s belief that heritage is most meaningful when experienced directly, Songs of the Stone brings together classical music and site-sensitive curation to foster deeper engagement with India’s cultural landmarks.
 

Following its presentation at the Qutub Minar, Songs of the Stone will continue as a cultural series, exploring new heritage sites and narratives through sound, space and musical storytelling.
 

The event was produced in association with Excurators Events Pvt Ltd., an organisation committed to creating experiential cultural platforms that bring India’s rich heritage to contemporary audiences.

VELS Medical College & Hospital (VMCH) in Chennai, conducted the White Coat Ceremony for the MBBS 2025–26 batch, marking the formal induction of the fifth batch of 250 medical students into the medical profession. The ceremony was held at the College Auditorium in the presence of dignitaries, senior faculty members, parents and students.
 

The event was presided over by Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder-Chancellor, VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), and was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. C. Palanivelu, Chairman, GEM Hospitals, an internationally acclaimed pioneer of laparoscopic surgery.
 

Newly inducted MBBS students receive academic kits during the White Coat Ceremony at VELS Medical College & Hospital, in the presence of Founder-Chancellor Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh
 

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice President, Vels Group of Institutions, said it was both an honour and a privilege to welcome the gathering on the momentous occasion of the White Coat Ceremony of the fifth MBBS batch at VELS Medical College. She extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to the Chief Guest, Dr. C. Palanivelu, acknowledging his trailblazing role in introducing laparoscopic surgery to South India and his groundbreaking contributions to laparoscopic cancer surgery and advanced minimally invasive procedures, many of which have been performed for the first time in the world.
 

Dr. Preethaa Ganesh also welcomed Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Chairman of the Vels Group of Institutions, lauding his visionary leadership that has propelled VELS to national and global prominence, with over 51,000 students across 52 institutions worldwide, offering programmes from Pre-KG to Ph.D.
 

Highlighting the academic strength of the institution, she stated that VELS Medical College & Hospital is a constituent of VISTAS, a NAAC A++ accredited multidisciplinary Deemed-to-be University, with four campuses across Chennai at Pallavaram, Periyapalayam, Thalambur and Thiruvanmiyur, spread over 120 acres, offering programmes in Medicine, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Management Studies, Aviation, Maritime Studies, Law, Arts, Science and other emerging disciplines.
 

She further highlighted that within just five years of inception, VMCH has been recognised as Best Medical College of the Year and Best Affordable Hospital of the Year at the Six Sigma Excellence Awards, New Delhi, in addition to receiving several national and international recognitions, including the International Green College Award, 38th rank in India by the UI Green Metric World University Ranking, Most Promising Medical Institute of 2024 & 2025 by ARDORCOMM Education Leadership Awards, 5th position in India for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by Global University Rankings, and the Institute of the Year – National (Medical) award by the Indian Education Awards 2025.
 

Addressing parents and students, she emphasised that the white coat symbolises not only knowledge and skill, but also integrity, humility, empathy and service to humanity, assuring students from 22 states across India that VELS provides a nurturing and inclusive environment that truly feels like a home away from home.
 

In his presidential address, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh noted that this ceremony marked the fifth MBBS batch of VELS Medical College & Hospital and the first batch with an enhanced intake of 250 students, compared to the earlier intake of 150. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to parents for believing in VELS and entrusting the institution with their children’s medical education.
 

Assuring parents that VELS would care for students as its own, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh said that the institution would be a second home for students throughout their academic journey, including undergraduate studies and postgraduate training. He highlighted that postgraduate programmes are already being offered, with plans to introduce additional PG programmes in the coming years. He encouraged parents to remain actively engaged by staying in touch with Heads of Departments and periodically enquiring about their children’s academic progress.
 

He also proposed academic and research collaboration between GEM Hospitals and VMCH, particularly in the areas of research and faculty development. Emphasising institutional values, he said that while VELS maintains strict discipline, it also promotes a friendly and supportive faculty environment, encouraging students to learn with commitment while enjoying their campus life responsibly.
 

Addressing the gathering, Dr. C. Palanivelu, Chairman, GEM Hospitals, commended Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh for successfully managing a vast network of educational institutions and lauded his leadership and vision. He said he was deeply impressed by the advanced infrastructure at VELS Medical College & Hospital, ranging from emergency services to advanced diagnostic laboratories, and reassured parents that their children were in safe and capable hands.
 

Dr. Palanivelu advised students to adopt a healthy lifestyle, highlighting the growing lifestyle-related health challenges faced by the younger generation. He urged students to make wise use of the opportunities available to them, reminding them that while his own journey involved significant struggles, today’s students benefit from strong parental support and access to advanced facilities. He encouraged them to leverage technology and skill to solve real-world problems, practise medicine with compassion, and serve humanity with integrity rather than material greed.
 

A key highlight of the ceremony was the Wearing of the White Coat and the administration of the Hippocratic Oath, formally inducting the students into the medical fraternity. Academic gift hampers were distributed to the students.
 

The White Coat Ceremony 2025 at VELS Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, stood as a defining moment, reaffirming the institution’s mission to nurture compassionate, ethical and globally competent doctors dedicated to patient care and community service.

For more information, please visit velsmedicalcollege.com.

Since her debut in 2018 with the acclaimed film Kedarnath, Sara Ali Khan has become one of the most admired talents in Indian cinema. With standout performances in hits like Simmba, Atrangi Re, and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, she has showcased both versatility and charisma, earning praise from critics and audiences alike. A graduate of Columbia University with a degree in history and political science, Sara is admired not just for her acting, but also for her intellect and authenticity.

Sara Ali Khan – Longines Friend of the brand wearing PrimaLuna

Celebrating the association Sara said, “I’m delighted to begin an association with Longines, a brand I’ve long admired because we echo similar values. Their timeless elegance, and their respect for legacy truly resonates with me. Longines values authenticity, celebrates grace and precision, and inspires confidence. I couldn’t be happier to join them as Friend of the brand.”

India has always held a special place in the Longines story. The brand sold its first watches in the country in 1878 and has since been admired by generations of watch enthusiasts. Sara’s appointment strengthens this historic connection, bringing together Swiss watchmaking tradition with the elegance and spirit of modern India.

With this collaboration, Longines continues to celebrate individuals who embody elegance not only in style, but also in attitude: through authenticity, purpose, and grace.

About Longines 
Established in Saint-Imier, Switzerland in 1832, Longines’ expertise is steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With its lengthy experience as an official timekeeper of world sports championships and partner of international sports federations, the Swiss watch brand has forged solid, enduring links with the world of sports over the years. Famous for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of timepieces. The brand Longines, with its winged hourglass emblem, is represented in over 150 countries.

In a moment of pride and inspiration, the World T20 Champion Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team visited M3M Foundation following their historic triumph at the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025. The team met Dr Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation, along with Mr Pankaj Bansal, Promoter, M3M India and Founder, Smart World, and Mrs Aishwarya Bansal, Co-founder, Smart World. The interaction and felicitation celebrated not only a landmark sporting victory but also the spirit of resilience, inclusion, and excellence that defines India’s para-sports movement—made even more significant as the world recently observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December.

Dr. Payal Kanodia of M3M Foundation, Pankaj Bansal of M3M India and Aishwarya Bansal of Smart World with the World T20 Champion Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team

Led by Captain Deepika T. C. of Karnataka and Vice-Captain Ganga S. Kadam of Maharashtra, and accompanied by Team Manager Ms Shika Shetty, the undefeated Indian team scripted history by winning the world’s first-ever global cricket championship exclusively for women cricketers with visual impairment. In a commanding final against Nepal, India restricted the opposition to 114/5 and chased the target in just 12.1 overs, showcasing confidence, skill, and teamwork.

The champions were welcomed and felicitated at M3M IFC, Gurugram, where Dr Payal Kanodia interacted closely with the team, acknowledging their extraordinary discipline, mental strength, and commitment to excellence. A World Kettlebell Champion herself, Dr. Kanodia shared reflections on the power of perseverance, focus, and self-belief—drawing parallels between elite sport and para-sport, and reaffirming the Foundation’s belief in sports as a powerful tool for dignity, confidence, and social inclusion.

The interaction also spotlighted M3M Foundation’s Lakshya Programme, a flagship initiative dedicated to identifying, nurturing, and supporting talented athletes across Olympic, Paralympic, and grassroots sports. Through structured mentorship, training support, and holistic development, Lakshya continues to empower sportspersons to compete and excel at national and international platforms.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President, M3M Foundation, said, “These champions have not only created sporting history, but have also inspired the nation by redefining resilience and inclusion. Their achievement reinforces our belief that when opportunity meets determination, limitations dissolve. We are proud to celebrate women who embody courage, excellence, and equality.”

The visit concluded with an engaging dialogue, exchange of experiences, and a shared commitment to strengthening India’s para-sports ecosystem. The champions’ presence served as a powerful reminder that when opportunity meets courage, history is created.

About M3M Foundation

M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

Theia Ventures, India’s specialist early stage fund focused on AI, deeptech, energy transition, and decarbonization, today announced that it has led a pre seed investment in Novyte Materials, an emerging AI material discovery company. This round also saw participation from Sandesh Paturi (Co-Founder, Venwiz) and Niharika Jain (Director, Chemvera) investors. This fund will support Novyte’s AI platform development and early pilots to accelerate the co-creation and collaborative discovery of new materials. The investment reinforces Theia’s commitment to backing transformative technologies that enable sustainable material innovation and next generation decarbonization aligned discovery.

Ajaz Khan, Founder and CEO, Novyte Materials

The process of discovering new materials remains one of the slowest and most resource intensive parts of innovation. Traditional development takes years, often decades, driven by extensive trial and error, fragmented experimentation, isolated lab data, and disconnected handoffs between computational prediction and real world validation. This slows progress across sectors that urgently need next generation materials for better performance, reliability, and sustainability.

Novyte is addressing this challenge with AI driven materials discovery that cuts R&D time by up to 10x and can reduce early stage physical testing costs by as much as 90%. Its generative AI system designs, validates, and reverse engineers novel materials using physics based simulations, supporting applications across composite materials, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and specialty chemicals.

As industries push toward cleaner energy, advanced manufacturing, and high performance systems, materials science has become the quiet force behind many breakthrough technologies. From advanced batteries and hypersonic flight to nuclear fusion and low loss transformers, the pace of progress is shaped by how quickly and accurately new stable materials can be designed and validated.

“As AI becomes foundational infrastructure for every industry, Novyte is bringing that transformation to materials discovery. Their system replaces years of lab work with intelligent AI-led design and real-time validation. We believe this will accelerate innovation across energy, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing,” – Priya Shah, Founder & GP – Theia Ventures.

“Innovation is currently capped by the physical limits of yesterday’s materials. Novyte removes that ceiling. By decoding complex chemical interactions with AI, we are turning the search for new materials into a predictable, scalable engineering process,” – Ajaz Khan, Founder & CEO – Novyte Materials.

Novyte is redefining materials engineering by fusing the precision of wet lab experimentation with the predictive power of dry lab modeling.

By working directly alongside R&D teams, decoding complex material interactions to engineer custom solutions, eliminates the guesswork of traditional discovery. The vertically integrated approach bridges the gap between testing and commercialization, replacing costly trial-and-error with predictable, validated pathways. The result is a continuously learning system purpose-built for applied industrial chemistry, creating a scalable foundation for reliable material discovery.

Novyte is incubated at ICT-NICE, the innovation and entrepreneurship hub of the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and works closely with ICT’s research ecosystem while building its own dedicated R&D infrastructure, and synthesis lab.

Novyte will initially partner with specialty chemicals industries, polymers, paints, adhesives, and coatings that are advancing in their journey to identify alternative materials with improved features and performance. The company aims to reduce operational and R&D costs, shorten development timelines, and accelerate material discovery while ensuring that validation and scale are more predictable. The goal is to make the journey from lab to commercialisation seamless and achievable. The company is currently inviting collaborations and strategic partnerships.

This is Theia Ventures’ fourth investment from its new fund, which announced its first close anchored by British International Investment in October 2025. The fund counts Sarla Aviation (an electric aircraft company), Climitra Carbon (a biochar company catering to the steel industry) and Lemnisca (a bio-manufacturing company) as its first three investments, and the fund has committed to a few additional investments to be deployed within this financial year.

As the year-end holiday season approaches, digital travel platform Agoda reveals the most affordable domestic and international flight routes across Asia. Based on bookings made from September 2025 onwards for departures between December 20–31, Agoda reveals that Guwahati–Agartala (INR 1,300) emerged as India’s most affordable domestic route this festive season. For international travel, Ahmedabad–Bangkok (INR 65,00) stood out as the cheapest option for Indian travelers, offering an accessible gateway to one of Asia’s most beloved holiday destinations.

Agoda reveals India’s most affordable year-end flight routes for holiday travellers

The Christmas and New Year’s holiday season is one of the most significant travel periods of the year. With schools on break and many workplaces offering extended holidays, travelers seize the opportunity to embark on journeys, whether to reunite with family, explore new destinations, or simply unwind and spend quality time with loved ones. This convergence of cultural celebrations and vacation time off makes it one of the busiest and most cherished travel periods of the year, and for many travelers, it’s more important than ever to find the best deals to maximize the holiday experience.

For those traveling domestically, India’s Guwahati–Agartala (INR 1,300) route ranked as the third most affordable in Asia, following Thailand’s Udon Thani-Bangkok (INR 536) in first place, and South Korea’s Jeju-Seoul and Malaysia’s Bario-Miri routes (INR 805) tying for second place. Completing the ranks for the most economical domestic flights across Asian countries during the end-of-year period were India (INR 1,300), Indonesia (INR 1,600), Vietnam (INR 2,000), Japan (INR 2,200), and Taiwan (INR 4,000). These insights highlight the most affordable intra-country routes across Asia, helping travelers identify options that allow them to celebrate the festive season without overspending. 

For those traveling abroad from India, the Ahmedabad–Bangkok route, with fares starting at just INR 6,500, makes an excellent choice for those eager to experience Bangkok’s vibrant holiday atmosphere, when the city comes alive with dazzling lights, festive markets, and cultural celebrations. 

Across the region, Agoda’s data showed that the cheapest international flights in Asia were found in Malaysia and Indonesia, with fares such as Johor Bahru–Phuket and Pontianak–Kuching available at INR 2,200. These routes offer easy escapes to sunny islands and lush natural landscapes during the holiday season. Thailand followed closely, with flights from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur starting at INR 2,500. Rounding out the list of the most affordable intra-Asia international routes were South Korea (INR 2,800), Japan (INR 3,500), Taiwan (INR 4,100), Vietnam (INR 4,100), and India (INR 6,500).

Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, “Christmas and New Year are among the busiest travel periods for Indian holidaymakers, and finding value during this time can make all the difference. Our trends show that with the right route selection, travelers can still enjoy meaningful savings even in peak season. At Agoda, we’re focused on making these options easy to discover, helping travelers enjoy the festive holidays without overspending.”

With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda ensures travelers can seamlessly combine their bookings in one convenient platform for a memorable holiday experience. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect festive getaway.

About Agoda
Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of 6 million hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 7,000 staff in 27 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier.

For more information, visit www.agoda.com
 

About the Data
The data presented in this press release is based on actual flight bookings made on Agoda between 1-September to 19 November 2025, for flights departing between 20-31 December 2025. The listed fares include all taxes and fees and are the cheapest booked fares across eight Asia Pacific markets: India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Note that fares can fluctuate: While the listed fares have been booked, Agoda cannot guarantee that these are still available for future bookings. 

The Telangana Rising 2047 Global Summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts to chart a long-term vision for the state’s inclusive and sustainable growth. Organized by the Government of Telangana, the summit focused on the future of urban development, economic expansion, and equitable access to housing. As real estate plays a crucial role in shaping the state’s urban transformation, the sessions dedicated to affordable housing saw strong participation from both government and private-sector representatives.

Ajitesh Korupolu, Founder & CEO of ASBL with Sri Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Revenue, Housing, and Information & PR, at the Telangana Rising 2047 Global Summit

ASBL’s Founder and CEO, Ajitesh Korupolu, was invited as one of only two developers from Hyderabad to join the distinguished panel discussion on “Investing in Inclusion: Prospects in Affordable Housing.” The conversation explored how Telangana can address the growing demand across EWS, LIG, MIG, and rental segments while encouraging private sector participation. Ajitesh brought a data-driven and structural perspective to the discussion, beginning with the need for the government to simplify the land side of the ecosystem, particularly in core city areas where the government holds significant greenfield and brownfield parcels. He emphasized that slum lands, which today informally serve affordable demand, can become strong formal housing assets if ownership structures are streamlined. He also highlighted how Hyderabad’s high-FSI regime is a key reason the city remains one of India’s most affordable metros, comparing per-sq-ft costs with cities like Bengaluru and Gurugram to showcase Hyderabad’s relative strength.

Building on this, Ajitesh stressed that future affordable housing models must balance ownership and rental pathways. With rising EMIs and limited financial bandwidth among households earning under INR 10-12 lakhs annually, he argued for a structured rental housing model supported by cap rates of 7-8%, backed by global institutions like IFC and ADB that already fund such initiatives. He emphasized that government innovation should focus on land ownership reforms, while developers must invest in R&D and construction efficiency. Speaking about technology, he noted that prefabrication is likely to become the most viable future solution for large-scale housing, provided transportation costs are optimized through decentralized manufacturing yards. He also pointed out the need for construction-worker training schools to adapt to new technologies as the sector transitions into more advanced building methods.

During the session, he also outlined how auction-based land allocation has already started functioning as a strong, transparent PPP model, removing legal uncertainties for developers. He encouraged policymakers to rely less on subsidies and more on unlocking market forces, noting that subsidy-heavy models burden the state exchequer without solving long-term affordability. Ajitesh expanded on the economic contribution of the construction sector, pointing out that housing generates significantly higher per-capita income opportunities compared to agriculture and manufacturing, and therefore must remain central to Telangana’s USD 1 trillion economy ambition. His core message for public-private partnerships was summed up in a clear principle: “The objective of the entire PPP model should be that the government does not lose money, the private sector makes money, and people find solutions.”

The panel also included an interactive segment where innovators were encouraged to participate in solving on-ground challenges. Responding to a question on construction automation, Ajitesh invited young entrepreneurs to collaborate with ASBL, noting active interest in technologies like autonomous tower cranes and RMC automation due to nationwide workforce shortages. He reiterated the company’s openness to supporting such innovations with real use-cases and potential capital participation.

In conclusion, the Telangana Rising 2047 Summit underscored the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration to expand the supply of quality, affordable housing. Ajitesh Korupolu’s participation highlighted both ASBL’s growing leadership role and the importance of market-aligned, technology-driven solutions in shaping the future of housing in Telangana. The discussions at the summit are expected to inform the state’s upcoming Affordable Housing Policy, aimed at making urban growth more inclusive, efficient, and future-ready.