India’s office market is experiencing steady expansion, with leasing activity remaining robust despite global economic uncertainty. Driven largely by the continued rise of GCCs, alongside sustained demand from technology, BFSI and consulting firms, the country’s commercial real estate sector has demonstrated stability in both absorption and rental trends. This domestic momentum has positioned India as a frontrunner in the Asia-Pacific region, where several markets continue to witness measured corporate expansion. 

Delhi-NCR takes center stage as India’s office sector outpaces regional peers to lead the APAC growth story in 2026

According to Knight Frank’s observation, India’s three largest office markets, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, collectively recorded approximately 50 million sq ft of leasing in 2025, marking a 21% year-on-year increase and the highest annual absorption ever recorded across these markets. 

Industry experts note that the projected growth is driven by structural factors rather than short-term optimism. The pipeline of global capability centres continues to expand, with multinational firms scaling their India operations beyond support functions into core business roles. At the same time, office demand is broad-based, extending beyond technology to sectors such as BFSI, consulting and manufacturing back offices. Institutional investors, too, have maintained their exposure to Grade A assets, reflecting confidence in long-term returns. Importantly, India’s rentals remain relatively competitive compared with several APAC hubs, reinforcing its appeal as a cost-efficient yet scalable corporate destination.

Moreover, among India’s leading office markets, Delhi-NCR is increasingly being seen as a significant contributor to this projected upswing. As per Cushman and Wakefield, Delhi-NCR recorded an all-time high office space leasing in 2025 of 15.8 million sq ft, a growth of 24% from last year. With the opening of Noida airport expected in the next few months, the city contributed a significant share in this growth, registering a 73% rise in annual leasing during 2025. The IT–BPM sector led the annual demand with a 37% share, followed by professional services firms (15%) and engineering & manufacturing firms (14%). During Q4 2025, Delhi NCR recorded a 2–5% QoQ increase in overall rentals. On a YoY basis, rents rose by 6–8% across the region, with Gurugram CBD outperforming at 12–15% growth over the same period.

Harinder Singh Hora, Founder Chairman, Reach Group, says, “Gurugram has long been an established corporate destination, supported by strong infrastructure and a mature business ecosystem. Today, occupiers are evaluating not just address value but long-term mobility, employee convenience, and the overall depth of the commercial environment. We are witnessing increased pre-commitment activity for Grade A office assets, reflecting greater planning visibility among corporates. Companies are clearly thinking three to five years ahead, aligning expansion with business growth rather than short-term market cycles. This forward-looking approach, combined with India’s cost competitiveness and talent ecosystem, is strengthening Delhi-NCR’s position within the broader APAC office landscape.”

Sandeep Chhillar, Founder and Chairman, Landmark Group, says, “Much of the incremental demand in Gurugram is clearly coming from GCC expansion, but what’s interesting is the nature of that expansion. These are not just back-office setups anymore; many businesses now house core functions, R&D, analytics, and leadership teams. That shift requires high-quality, future-ready Grade A environments with strong ESG credentials and large, efficient floor plates. Occupiers are consolidating into better assets rather than spreading across multiple buildings. This ‘flight to quality’ is reshaping absorption trends in Gurugram and strengthening the case for premium developments in established business districts.”

Besides, Noida is increasingly being viewed as the growth lever within the NCR office market, supported by a combination of competitive rentals and infrastructure-led confidence. Compared to some established business districts, the city continues to offer cost advantages without compromising on Grade A quality, making it attractive for both large occupiers and expanding mid-sized firms. The Noida–Greater Noida Expressway has emerged as a key growth corridor, drawing sustained leasing interest, while the upcoming international airport has strengthened long-term investor and occupier sentiment. An expanding pipeline of new developments along this belt further signals that Noida is positioning itself to capture the next phase of office demand in the region.

Dr. Amish Bhutani, Managing Director, Group 108, says, “The Noida–Greater Noida Expressway belt is entering a defining phase. With the upcoming Noida International Airport and enhanced connectivity across the corridor, we’re seeing significant interest from GCCs and global enterprises seeking long-term expansion hubs rather than short-term satellite offices. What’s working in Noida’s favour is the availability of large, contiguous Grade A floor plates at competitive rentals. For global businesses, scalability and infrastructure certainty matter more than ever. The airport, in particular, changes the perception of accessibility and positions this corridor not just as an NCR micro-market, but as a strategic North India business gateway.”

Viren Mehta, Founder & Director, ElitePro Infra, “What stands out in NCR is the balance in demand drivers. While GCCs remain dominant, we’re also seeing BFSI, consulting and domestic corporates expanding footprints. That diversification makes the market more resilient. However, the sustainability of growth will depend on supply discipline. If rental appreciation accelerates too sharply, mid-sized occupiers could begin exploring peripheral markets. The next few months will be about maintaining equilibrium, ensuring that new supply aligns with genuine absorption rather than speculative development.”

Ashwani Kumar, Pyramid Infratech, says, “Gurugram’s office market has matured significantly over the last decade. Today, it operates with institutional-grade assets and global occupiers who view India as a long-term base. The projected APAC growth outlook aligns with what we are witnessing on the ground: structured expansion plans, multi-year leasing discussions and growing interest from multinational firms. What differentiates Gurugram is the ecosystem: established infrastructure, corporate clustering and talent availability. If this momentum continues, NCR could consolidate its position as one of India’s most stable and scalable office markets over the next growth cycle.”

Therefore, much of India’s projected leadership in 2026 will hinge on how effectively markets manage supply alongside sustained expansion from global capability centres. For Delhi-NCR, the opportunity is evident, but so is the responsibility to maintain discipline in new launches and ensure that fresh inventory aligns with genuine occupier demand.

The ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 concluded after two days of high-impact deliberations, positioning India at the centre of global economic and strategic conversations. Held under the theme “A Decade of Disruption. A Century of Change,” the summit brought together delegates, including policymakers, global business leaders, economists, investors and technology experts, making it one of the most influential business gatherings of the year.

The summit served as a high-level platform for candid conversations on the forces reshaping the global order. Policymakers and global business leaders discussed trade, technology, capital markets and regulatory frameworks amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty on day 1. Technology and AI emerged as key structural forces transforming industries and financial systems, while infrastructure, manufacturing and digital public infrastructure were highlighted as critical growth pillars. State-led growth strategies, execution-driven policy frameworks and enterprise transformation were also key themes.

Day 2 shifted the focus from macro themes to execution, with deep dives into digital infrastructure, ease of doing business, trillion-dollar state economies, urban transformation and artificial intelligence. Experts highlighted the need for predictive governance, technology-led urban planning and responsible AI frameworks as critical pillars for sustainable and inclusive growth. Cultural and business conversations added insights on brand trust, innovation and India’s evolving “Built for India” narrative in the global marketplace.

A defining moment of the summit was the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who delivered the Chief Guest address, setting the tone for India’s global ambitions and reform-led growth trajectory. His address underscored India’s resilience amid global disruptions, its expanding role in global growth, and its roadmap to becoming a developed nation by 2047, anchored in infrastructure expansion, manufacturing, digital public infrastructure and global trade partnerships.

The ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 served as a powerful convening platform for global and Indian leaders, shaping strategic discourse at a time of unprecedented disruption and opportunity. As India advances into a decisive growth decade, the summit reaffirmed its role in driving conversations that will define policy, capital allocation and innovation pathways for a century of change.

TTK Prestige, India’s leading kitchen appliances brand, strengthened its connection with modern Indian consumers as a key partner of the HT City Unwind – Delhi Edition, held on 7 and 8 February 2025. A vibrant celebration of food, music, and lifestyle, the festival attracted an estimated 15,000+ visitors from across Delhi NCR, including young families, home cooks, celebrity chefs, content creators, and influencers.
 

TTK Prestige at HT City Unwind Delhi 2025 – where kitchen innovation met food, music, and immersive lifestyle experiences
 

Through high-visibility integrations, immersive brand experiences, and live culinary showcases, TTK Prestige reinforced its positioning as a contemporary lifestyle kitchen brand, engaging consumers through a range of interactive and fun-led activities.
 

The first half of the festival showcased the HT City Foodies Signature Kitchen, with TTK Prestige as the Presenting Partner. The brand amplified engagement through its “Prestige – Signature Kitchen” zone, which included live cooking demonstrations, interactive cooking challenges, and influencer-led activities supported by the brand’s digital marketing team. Over two days, the space came alive with MasterChef-led cookouts and food-tasting sessions, featuring celebrated chefs such as Chef Tarun Sibal, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Chef Suvir Saran, and Chef Nishant Choubey.
 

A key highlight of the event was the launch of TTK Prestige’s complete Triply range of cookware and cookers, including the Triply ByK Set, Triply Designer Range, Triply Cooker, and Triply Hexamagic, unveiled at the Signature Kitchen alongside Chef Nishant Choubey. The brand also executed a high-impact main-stage reveal of the Endura 6-Jar Mixer Grinder, which drew strong audience interest and engagement. Audiences were further engaged through exclusive chef interactions and a lively food trivia session hosted by Chef Nishant Choubey, with Prestige products awarded to winners.
 

Beyond the kitchen, the festival featured 30+ food stalls, gaming zones, and a high-energy music segment in the latter half of each day, making it a truly holistic lifestyle experience. TTK Prestige further enhanced engagement through immersive, interactive activities with influencers and young audiences at its brand zone, with participants winning exciting gifts. Product display zones showcased the brand’s latest innovations, while an immersive engagement area hosted fun, cooking-led competitions with Prestige cookware prizes. A specially curated “Kitchen Memories” wall invited visitors to share their most cherished kitchen moments, reinforcing the deep emotional connection Indian consumers have with their kitchens.
 

Through its presence at HT City Unwind Delhi 2025, TTK Prestige reaffirmed its belief that kitchens today are more than functional spaces – they are social, expressive, and central to modern lifestyles. By blending culinary expertise, product innovation, and cultural experiences, the brand continues to reimagine the kitchen as a space of inspiration, connection, and celebration.
 

About TTK Prestige (shop.ttkprestige.com)

TTK Prestige Limited is part of TTK Group. Over the past six decades TTK Prestige Limited, has emerged as India’s largest kitchen appliances company catering to the needs of homemakers in the country. Every Prestige brand product is built on the pillars of safety, innovation, durability and trust, making the brand the first choice in millions of homes. In April 2016, TTK Prestige bought UK based Horwood Homewares and launched Judge Brand in India in August 2017. 

Unitile has been recognised among India’s Top 30 Best Workplaces™ in Manufacturing – Mid-Size by Great Place To Work® India for the second consecutive year. The recognition is based on anonymous employee feedback as part of Great Place To Work® India’s research-led assessment of workplace culture across manufacturing organisations in India.

Celebrating the people behind the progress, Unitile proudly marks its Top 30 Best Workplaces™ recognition for the second consecutive year

The recognition reflects the Group’s continued focus on building high-performing, people-centric manufacturing environments across the building materials sector, spanning raised access flooring, structural solutions, and acoustic systems through its portfolio brands – Unitile, UFlex, and UniAcoustic.

In the building materials industry, manufacturing excellence is defined not only by output and scale, but by safety discipline, process reliability, quality consistency, and workforce capability. Workplace culture in this sector is shaped daily on the shop floor, through adherence to safety protocols, ownership of quality, and the confidence employees have to suggest and drive improvements.

With over three decades of experience in building materials manufacturing, Unitile and its group companies have scaled operations while making sustained investments in automation, modern manufacturing systems, and workforce capability development. As production becomes increasingly technology-driven, equal emphasis is placed on enabling employees to grow alongside these advancements through structured training, hands-on learning, and clearly defined career pathways. This ensures that automation strengthens operational capability while creating long-term opportunities for people.

Safety and quality remain non-negotiable across all manufacturing facilities. Employees across functions actively participate in safety audits, quality reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives, reinforcing a culture of shared accountability and operational discipline. These practices are critical in building materials manufacturing, where precision, consistency, and risk mitigation directly impact project outcomes and customer trust.

Commenting on the recognition, Idris Rajkotwala, Executive Director, Unitile said, “This recognition holds special value because it is based on feedback from our people. In manufacturing, trust is built through everyday actions – safe working environments, fairness, opportunities to learn, and respect for every role on the shop floor. As we continue to expand and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies across our brands, developing our people remains fundamental to how we operate.”

Employee feedback plays a central role in shaping workplace practices across the Group. In manufacturing-led organisations, engaged teams directly influence safety outcomes, product quality, delivery reliability, and operational efficiency. Listening to employees ensures that cultural improvements translate into tangible performance improvements on the shop floor.

As a building materials solutions manufacturer deeply embedded in its local ecosystems, Unitile and its group companies also contribute to employment generation and skill development in the regions surrounding their facilities. By offering stable employment, structured training programs, and long-term growth opportunities, the Group supports local upliftment while building a skilled and future-ready manufacturing workforce.

As the Group continues its growth journey across Unitile, UFlex, and UniAcoustic, the focus remains on building future-ready manufacturing organisations that balance scale, efficiency, and technology with strong values and respect for people. The continued recognition from Great Place To Work® India reinforces the Group’s position as an employer of choice within the Indian building materials manufacturing sector.

About Unitile

With over three decades of experience, Unitile is India’s number one raised access floor brand and a leading manufacturer in the building materials sector. The company is known for its engineering-led approach, disciplined manufacturing practices, and consistent execution across large-scale projects.

Unitile operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with a strong focus on quality, safety, automation, and workforce capability, ensuring reliability at scale for data centres, commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects across India.

Recognised among India’s Best Workplaces™ in Manufacturing – Mid-Size Top 30 by Great Place To Work® India for the second consecutive year, Unitile’s people-first culture underpins its manufacturing excellence and long-term customer trust.

For more information, please visit: www.unitileindia.com

Contact

steffi.m@united-group.in

+91 77770 31920

For the second year in a row, the creative excellence of Push 360 has been recognized on the global stage. The agency’s latest campaign for Malayala Manorama’s Hortus 2025, titled “The Power of We,” has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Luerzer’s Archive, the world’s ultimate barometer of creative achievement. This follows a landmark achievement last year, when the agency’s work was ranked as the number one print campaign in the world.

The ‘Power of We’ campaign by Push 360 for Manorama Hortus features an intertwined infinity loop, symbolizing the seamless merger of music, art, and literature

At the heart of this success is Jayaprakash Ponmala (Jepi), the agency’s Creative and Art Director. Known for weaving deep human connection into visual art, Jepi has once again proven that local creative insights can resonate globally. Following his 2024 campaign that envisioned a symbolic intersection of iconic historical figures, Jepi evolved the narrative for 2025 into “The Power of We”. This new work utilizes a playful, claymation-style visual metaphor of the infinity loop to represent the endless flow of ideas and joy that defines the Hortus festival.

The campaign visually captures the spirit of the event through intertwined characters from diverse worlds of expression. By pairing figures such as a theatre-masked boy with a girl flying a kite, or a book-loving intellectual with a noodle-eating foodie, Jepi illustrates the “Power of Infinite” creativity. These pairings symbolize the raw energy and visual exploration that occur when different personal expressions meet, creating a concept that is intentionally inclusive, joyful, and instantly memorable.

This global recognition is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the entire agency and its collaboration with Malayala Manorama on Manorama Hortus V. A. Shrikumar, CMD of Push 360, expressed his pride in the team, stating, “This win belongs to the entire team at Push 360, who worked with their heart and soul to bring this honor home. Jepi, Sunil Thoppil, Lasar Shine, Jasinther Rokefeller, P.S. Jaya, Sreerag Kakkan, and the entire team worked with everything they had for the agency to achieve this kind of global excellence. It is a proud moment for all of us to see our shared passion recognized on the world stage once again.”

The Manorama Hortus festival, inspired by the historical “Hortus Malabaricus,” serves as a vibrant platform where art, literature, and culture converge. It seeks to foster dialogue, celebrate creativity across various disciplines like art, literature, culture, and potentially more, and engage a wide audience. 

Smart Home Expo, India’s largest smart tech event for residential and commercial spaces, returns for its 7th edition from April 28–30, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai.

450+ Tech brands will exhibit at Smart Home Expo 2026

Building on the strong momentum of the previous edition, Smart Home Expo 2026 is set to bring the smart living and intelligent buildings ecosystem under one roof, with a 15,000 sqm gross exhibition area and 450+ exhibitors, in a format designed specifically for trade visitors.

The three-day show brings together 450+ leading brands showcasing solutions across smart home technology, home automation, lighting technologies, audio-video solutions, smart security systems, smart building solutions, and consumer electronics, creating a focused platform for decision-makers to explore what’s next and build business across the channel.

Smart Home Expo 2026 is supported by a strong lineup of partners across key categories. The show features Havells Crabtree as the Title Partner, Electronics Mart India Limited as the Powered By Partner, and KNX Association as the Technology Partner.

The Platinum Partners include Sonos, Cinebels, ProFX, Miantic AV, Vinshek, Smato, CP Plus, Cavitak, and  KEI, while the Premium Partners lineup includes Aero Digital, RTI, Marantz, Basalte, GM Modular, BenQ, Epson, Optoma, Focal Powered by Naim, ViewSonic, Raylogic Control Systems Pvt. Ltd., Klipsch, Theory, Loewe, Smart Node Automation, James Loudspeaker,  Dorset, LG, CasaDigi, B.E.G., Origin Acoustics, Gallo Acoustics, Crestron, Rako Controls, Sonus Faber, JBL, Digilux AI, Krix, L-Acoustics, Sound & Vision, MDT Technologies, Moorgen, Lafit, EverGlow, JR Automation Technology, Nice Group, Quba Architectural Products, and Modo.

Smart Home Expo 2026 is also backed by key industry organisations, like the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and the Z-Wave Alliance, supporting the show as Supporting Partners, and the Council of Architecture coming on board as a Knowledge Partner.

A key highlight for 2026 is the return of the AV Demo Rooms, created as purpose-built, acoustically treated environments where professionals can experience high-end home cinema and audio performance exactly as intended, across reference-grade speakers, immersive formats, premium projection, and integrated AV control.

Curated with leading global and Indian brands, the AV Demo Rooms are designed to support serious evaluation, deeper product understanding, and high-quality conversations for the audio-video and custom integration community.

Smart Home Expo 2026 will also feature the dedicated KNX Pavilion, returning as a focused showcase for KNX manufacturers, with the pavilion expected to host leading KNX brands as part of the show’s core automation ecosystem.

Beyond the exhibition floor, Smart Home Expo continues to expand its experience-led and knowledge-led formats through Lighting Connect, Smart Space Awards, and the Smart Building Summit, giving visitors multiple ways to engage with design, technology, and real project thinking across the built environment.

Lighting Connect brings the lighting design and technology community together to explore smart lighting, lighting controls, and human-centric design through focused conversations and practical insights.

The Smart Space Awards continue to recognise excellence where design and technology come together across residential and commercial projects, celebrating the teams shaping modern smart spaces.

The Smart Building Summit is positioned as a dedicated forum exploring the future of intelligent buildings and connected spaces, bringing together perspectives on how innovation, strategy, and design are redefining the built environment.

Entry is free for trade visitors, and visitor registration for Smart Home Expo 2026 is live: smarthomeexpo.short.gy/AsZ2cR

Mahamagham Mahotsav 2026 (January 18 – February 3, 2026), widely described as the “Kumbh Mela of Kerala” concluded recently on the sacred banks of the river Nila (Bharathapuzha), reaffirming Thirunavaya’s ancient stature as a Maha-tirtha and the revered “Gaya of the South.”

Mohanji with Mahamandaleswar Swami Anandavanam Bharathi Maharaj and the team of priests who conducted the sacred Nila Aarti throughout the Mahamagham Mahotsav 2026
 

Organised under the leadership of Mahamandaleswar Swami Anandavanam Bharathi Maharaj of Sri Juna Akhada, the 17-day congregation marked an extraordinary revival of a tradition at a grand scale, after over 270 years. According to organisers, more than two million devotees took part across the festival period, with peak-day footfall rising into the lakhs!

Mohanji Foundation’s Nila Aarti: Bringing the living lineage of Kashi to Kerala

A central spiritual highlight of Mahamagham Mahotsav 2026 was the daily Nila Aarti (Nila Aarathi), organised by Mohanji Foundation under the guidance and blessings of Brahmarishi Dr. Mohanji. From January 19 to February 3, the riverbank transformed each evening into a vibrant field of devotion as thousands gathered to witness the sacred Aarti Seva.

Mohanji Foundation arranged to bring an expert team of pandits from Varanasi to Thirunavayya, bringing the recognizable sanctity and discipline of the Kashi tradition into Kerala’s spiritual landscape, and symbolising a powerful unification of North and South Indian lineages through shared worship.

Ammucare’s Annadaan: Compassion at scale, every day

Alongside the spiritual programs, Ammucare (Ammucare Charitable Trust) – a platform founded by Mohanji and dedicated to supporting the needy, led Anna Prasada Samarpanam, providing nutritious meals to pilgrims, sadhus, volunteers, and visitors through a continuously operating Annakshetra (free food service) during the festival. Devotees partook of breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the kitchen and facilities running for almost 24hours everyday, throughout the festival. 

In the final phase of the gathering, meal service scaled dramatically, with Ammucare reporting almost 50,000 pilgrims served in a single day, reflecting the true Kumbh spirit of inclusiveness and selfless service.

Mohanji personally joined volunteers in serving pilgrims, offering a lived example of “shared joy of serving,” and reinforcing the Mahotsav’s message that spirituality is not separate from compassion in action.

A historic congregation and a living renaissance

Throughout the Mahotsav, pilgrims, saints, and sadhus from across India and abroad participated in holy dips, rituals, ancestral rites, cultural programmes, and spiritual discourses. An ancient tradition was revived on a historic scale after over 270 years, marking the start of a new era for the tradition in this part of Bharat. 

Sharing his reflections on this grand event, Brahmarishi Mohanji said, “The Mahamagham festival at Thirunavaya was a grand cultural and historic revival. A great union of various traditions. A cultural revival is the rejuvenation of a nation. 

Mohanji Foundation brought the living Aarti tradition from Varanasi to Thirunavaya, adding a special character to this festival. Likewise, Ammucare’s daily anna prasadam seva fed thousands, but touched the hearts of everyone at the festival. 

We were privileged to support this historic gathering and participate in this rejuvenation of ancient traditions.”

The closing ceremony was joined by eminent saints, with sadhus being honoured and thanked for their esteemed presence, and with organisers expressing strong intent to continue building this sacred convergence in the years ahead.

For more information, please visit mohanji.org and ammucare.org

Mpower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, today announced the second edition of the Mpowering Minds – Women’s Mental Health Summit, a national full-day forum to be held in Bengaluru on 27 February 2026. The event will be led by Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson, Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, and graced by Chief Guests Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Minister of Women and Child Development, and Disabled and Senior Citizens Empowerment, Government of Karnataka, Prathima Murthy, Director and a Senior Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and a Co-founder and Director of EkStep —each of whom has championed women-centric progress in health, policy, and community empowerment. Anchored in the pillars of Acceptance, Action and Advocacy, the 2026 edition places women’s wellness at the heart of the country’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat, recognising that sustainable national progress is possible only when women’s mental and social well-being is secured.

Mpowering Minds Women’s Mental Health Summit 2026, organised by Mpower

Speaking ahead of the summit, Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, said, “As India accelerates its growth trajectory, safeguarding women’s mental health must be integral to our national priorities. This summit is designed to translate awareness into measurable action by building stronger support ecosystems, influencing policy conversations and encouraging institutional accountability for women’s psychological well-being. The 2026 edition reinforces our belief that investing in women’s emotional health is an investment in the country’s long-term social and economic resilience.”

This year’s summit will bring together globally respected clinicians, mental-health practitioners, policy advocates, researchers, and lived-experience speakers to examine women’s mental-health needs across life stages. The agenda includes conversations on intergenerational trauma featuring leading international experts Eamon McCrory, CEO, Anna Freud and Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology, UCL, and Peter Fonagy, CBE Professor of Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Developmental Science at UCL. Their participation will provide a research-driven foundation for understanding how early experiences shape lifelong mental health. A powerful conversation on resilience and overcoming adversity will feature trans rights activist Dr. Akkai Padmashali and Olympian Anju Bobby George, offering deeply personal perspectives on identity, stigma, and perseverance.

Maternal mental health, reproductive well-being, and life-stage transitions will be discussed by experts such as Dr. Janhavi Nilekani, Founder of the Aastrika Foundation; Dr. Duru Shah, renowned gynaecologist and reproductive health specialist; Dr. Padmaja Samant, Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at KEM Hospital; and Dr. Meghna Singhal, founder of Raising Family Academy. These discussions will highlight the critical need for early intervention, perinatal support, and long-term mental-health care for mothers. 

Workplace well-being, leadership pressures, and burnout will be addressed by Masaba Gupta, Founder of House of Masaba; Sunita Wazir, Head of Transformation – Global Health & Wellbeing at Hindustan Unilever. Their discussion will explore the unique emotional load carried by women professionals and the systemic reforms needed to create supportive, psychologically safe workplaces. Policymakers and public-health experts such as Sarah Fathima (IPS) DCP Southeast Division Bengaluru City and Jasmine Kalha (Co-Director and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy,) will address the broader need for gender-responsive mental-health systems that reach women across socioeconomic and geographic contexts. 

The summit will conclude with a future-facing dialogue led by Ira Khan Founder and CEO of Agatsu and Dr. Zirak Marker Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatrist; Chief Medical Advisor- Mpower; Sr. Psychiatrist & Advisor on adolescent and youth mental health—an urgent priority as young women navigate complex emotional, academic, and digital landscapes.

Mpower’s mission is to create an inclusive platform that fosters mental well-being and empowers changemakers to redefine mental health in society. This vision was exemplified at its flagship Mpowering Minds Summit 2025, held in Mumbai and focused on youth mental health, which convened global and national leaders from institutions such as Harvard Medical School, NIMHANS, the World Economic Forum, and Mental Health First Aid International, among others, to advance dialogue on systemic reform and scalable solutions. The Mpowering Minds Women’s Mental Health Summit 2026 will further accelerate national momentum toward advancing women’s mental health as a national priority.

About Mpower
Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to transforming India approach to mental health. Founded 10 years ago, Mpower has emerged as a leading force in spreading awareness, reducing stigma, and delivering holistic mental health care. With a robust team of over 200 trained professionals, Mpower impacts more than 121 million lives across seven cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi, Kota and Pune. Operating through five key verticals—Movement, Clinical Care, Outreach, Academia, and Mpower 1 on 1—Mpower offers a comprehensive range of services. The Movement focuses on changing cultural perceptions and alleviating stigma. Clinical Care provides world-class mental health services through the Centre, the Foundation, and the Cell, catering to various needs from holistic care to affordable support for the underprivileged. The Outreach vertical drives awareness and capacity-building through IGNITE  Programs for schools, colleges, NGOs, and corporates. Academia equips individuals and professionals with skills to handle mental health crises and foster empathy. The Helpline offers 24/7 multilingual support, while special projects like Samvedana enhance mental health care in primary health centers. Mpower’s integrated approach and collaboration with government agencies underscore its commitment to creating a supportive and stigma-free mental health landscape.

The Indo-French Innovation Network was formally launched late evening on the 17th of February during the official inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, held in Mumbai in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, as part of the President’s State Visit to India.

H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic and Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi officially inaugurate the Indo-French Year of Innovation 2026

The launch marks a significant milestone in advancing structured, innovation-led cooperation between India and France.

Conceived as a flagship initiative of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, the Indo-French Innovation Network is a government-endorsed, industry-driven digital platform designed to connect innovators, enterprises, research institutions, startups and public agencies across both countries. The platform has been built by Capgemini and will be operated by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), with the support of the French Embassy in India and the Regional Economic Service (SER), under the oversight of a bilateral steering committee comprising key public and private stakeholders.

The Network serves as a single-entry digital interface to facilitate collaboration across priority sectors including artificial intelligence, clean technologies, aerospace, digital transformation, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and sustainability.

The platform integrates five core pillars:

• A bilateral innovation Marketplace for R&D calls and partnership opportunities

• Business Services and structured matchmaking support

• A Knowledge Hub featuring research, policy insights and market intelligence

• A consolidated News & Events interface

• A verified Directory of organisations across both ecosystems

Developed following extensive consultations with over 50 ecosystem stakeholders in 2025, the Network responds to the need for a unified, credible mechanism to reduce fragmentation and accelerate cross-border innovation outcomes.

H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, stated, “The launch of the Indo-French Innovation Network during the inauguration of the Year of Innovation 2026 reflects the shared commitment of India and France to place technological cooperation at the centre of our strategic partnership. This platform will strengthen collaboration between our innovation ecosystems in a structured and sustainable manner.”

Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini, said, “Capgemini is honoured to have developed the Indo-French Innovation Network as a future-ready digital infrastructure. By integrating advanced digital capabilities and user-centric design, the platform enables structured collaboration and scalable impact across sectors. It reflects Capgemini’s strong commitment to innovation and reinforces the Group’s position as one of the most innovative companies, empowering organizations to transform ideas into reality.”

Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), added, “The Indo-French Innovation Network represents an important institutional step in strengthening bilateral innovation cooperation. As the operational anchor of the platform, IFCCI will work closely with stakeholders across both countries to ensure sustained engagement, governance, and measurable outcomes.”

Beyond its formal launch in 2026, the Indo-French Innovation Network is envisioned as a multi-year collaborative instrument aligned with national innovation priorities and industrial strategies in both countries. Operated by IFCCI, the platform integrates structured governance, verification processes, and secure access protocols to ensure credibility and continuity.

Stakeholders may explore and register via: www.indofrenchinnovation.org

About IFCCI

Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the most active bilateral chambers in India. IFCCI represents a dynamic business platform of over 800+ company members and 17 Sector & Function led Committees offering an extensive range of business services and giving access to people and information. 

About Capgemini

Capgemini is an AI-powered global business and technology transformation partner, delivering tangible business value. We imagine the future of organizations and make it real with AI, technology and people. With our strong heritage of nearly 60 years, we are a responsible and diverse group of over 420,000 team members in more than 50 countries. We deliver end-to-end services and solutions with our deep industry expertise and strong partner ecosystem, leveraging our capabilities across strategy, technology, design, engineering and business operations. The Group reported 2025 global revenues of €22.5 billion.