April 22, 2025: Brookfield Properties, a leading global operator and developer of high-quality real estate assets, has launched its Earth Day 2025 campaign titled ‘Powered by Purpose’. It is a six-week initiative focused on encouraging sustainable behavior and building awareness on climate impact.

 In a unique digital-first approach, the company released what it calls “the least impactful video ever”—a deliberately low-resolution film designed to highlight the environmental cost of high-definition streaming and excessive content consumption. Aligned with this year’s Earth Day global theme “Our Planet. Our Power”. The campaign invites people to take a digital sustainability pledge and reflect on the unseen environmental impact of their online habits. 

 “The video is symbolic and represents a much deeper commitment. The real impact lies in the work we do every day—across our campuses, within our communities, and through our long-term focus on renewable energy and climate-positive development. Powered by Purpose reflects how we build, operate, and contribute to a more sustainable future” said Reema Kundnani, Executive Vice President and Head of Marketing and Key Account Management, Brookfield Properties in India.

 As part of its on-ground efforts, Brookfield Properties will plant 5,000+ native trees across Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR. This builds on the success of its ‘Forest of Hope’ initiative, through which over 3,000 trees have already been planted—estimated to sequester 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ and generate more than 2,700 tonnes of oxygen annually.

 This campaign reinforces Brookfield Properties’ larger environmental commitment:

1. 40% of Delhi-NCR energy needs already transitioned to renewable power through Brookfield’s Bikaner Solar Power Project.

2. 1.5 million+ sq. ft. of green cover created across campuses in India.

3. 20,000+ metric tons of CO₂ eliminated annually—equivalent to removing 4,300 cars from the road.

 The company remains on track to power 100% of its India portfolio with clean energy by 2027, and to achieve net-zero emissions across its 55 million sq. ft. portfolio by 2040 or earlier.

SALT LAKE CITY and NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Dave Checketts, an influential figure in global sports business, and The Cynosure Group, a diversified private investment firm founded by the Eccles family, today announced the formation of Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital, a new strategic collaboration dedicated to investing in high-potential sports opportunities. Work has begun on identifying and implementing plans in the global sports space, with several deals already in the pipeline, and their initial fund targets commitments in excess of $1.2 billion. The partnership will have offices in both New York and Salt Lake City.

This strategic collaboration combines Checketts’ unique experience across four decades in sports management and investment, with Cynosure’s established investment expertise and financial resources. It also reunites two powerful entities who worked closely to keep the Utah Jazz of the NBA in Salt Lake City over 30 years ago, effectively jumpstarting one of the most desirable sports investment communities in the world today. 

“This partnership is a dream come true for me, reuniting me with the Eccles family, who were key in keeping the Jazz in Salt Lake City, bringing the Olympic Winter Games to Utah in 2002 and building tremendous intercollegiate athletic programs in the state,” said Dave Checketts. “By joining forces today with The Cynosure Group, we are creating a powerhouse entity with assets that will make us competitive on a global scale and will give us great opportunities to help shape the future of the industry right away.”

“We have known Dave Checketts for nearly half a century, since the years when our family’s bank provided the financing for the Utah Jazz, and we’ve always admired his achievements and integrity,” added Spencer P. Eccles, managing director of the Cynosure Group. “This venture brings together Dave’s storied career in the business of sport and his remarkable team, with Cynosure’s disciplined investment process and financial horsepower. We’re confident that Cynosure | Checketts will quickly establish itself as a leading investor in this space.”

Randal Quarles, Chairman of The Cynosure Group and former Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve,

Strategic Investment Focus

Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital will target investments across multiple segments of the sports industry, including:

• Professional and collegiate sports teams
• Sports leagues and governing bodies
• Stadiums, arenas, and other sports facilities
• Sports technology and innovation companies
• Media rights and broadcasting ventures

Bangalore, 21^st April 2025: In a significant step towards fostering holistic growth and sustainable development in the Northeast, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Mizoram. Held in Aizawl, the MoU exchange ceremony marks an important milestone in TKM’s efforts to contribute meaningfully to the region’s progress through focused, community-centric CSR initiatives. Under this collaboration, TKM has implemented CSR interventions in three key areas identified by the local administration and enforcement agencies as below:

1. Road safety awareness to commercial taxi drivers
2. Upgrading traffic monitoring infrastructure and
3. Enhancing disaster response capabilities

Each activity is designed to address on-ground challenges and deliver lasting impact aligned with the state’s needs.

The exchange ceremony, held in Aizawl, was graced by Mr. Lalduhoma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, officials from the Government of Mizoram including Mr.  Lalhriatpuia, Deputy Commissioner, Aizawl, Mr.  Paul, Deputy Commissioner Serchhip, Mr.  Stephen, Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Mr.  C.C Lalchhuangkima, Smart City CEO along with leadership from Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice President & Country Head, other senior executives and Mr.  Zorammawia Tochhawng, Dealer Principal, Zote Toyota, reaffirming the spirit of collaboration and shared vision for long-term community transformation.

Under the MoU, TKM has formally handed over two major assets:

• ANPR/CCTV Equipment: In alignment with Aizawl’s designation as a Smart City, TKM has also facilitated the procurement and supply of 34 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and 20 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) units. This initiative aims to strengthen traffic monitoring, enhance road safety & regulatory enforcement across the city with beneficiaries up to 4,00,000 community members
• Back-hoe Equipment: In response to the state’s vulnerability to natural calamities such as landslides—highlighted by the Cyclone Remal in May 2024—TKM has also provided two backhoe machines to the district administration. This support aims to help the local government strengthen its disaster response capacity in regions prone to geological instability and unplanned urban development and benefits 4,00,000 community members

The MoU exchange also marks the culmination of a state-wide road safety and health awareness campaign to commercial taxi drivers held earlier this year. Conducted in collaboration with the Mizoram Traffic SP Office and timed to coincide with National Road Safety Month (January 18 – February 17, 2025), the campaign benefitted over 800 commercial vehicle drivers across the state. The initiative involved safety training sessions to instil best driving practices and reduce accident risks, coupled with free health screenings to ensure the physical well-being of drivers.

Present at the occasion, Mr. Lalduhoma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s support comes at a crucial time as Mizoram addresses both infrastructural gaps and natural vulnerabilities. With rising instances of landslides and road accidents, there’s a pressing need for stronger preparedness and public safety systems. What stands out in this collaboration is its responsiveness to local realities—be it providing vital equipment for disaster response or enhancing traffic surveillance in Aizawl. Toyota’s earlier road safety and health initiative for our drivers was also well received. These are meaningful contributions with tangible outcomes, and we deeply value Toyota’s commitment to Mizoram’s development.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Governance – Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Northeast is not just a strategic region—it is a priority geography, rich in potential, resilience, and cultural depth. Our CSR initiatives across the region have consistently focused on creating meaningful impact through sustainable mobility, skilling, and road safety. This MoU with the Government of Mizoram is a continuation of that commitment. It reflects our shared goal of delivering community-centric solutions that are locally relevant and built for long-term impact. We are honoured to collaborate with the state in driving positive change and look forward to strengthening this collaboration in the years to come.”

Through these interventions, TKM continues to stay rooted in its philosophy of ‘Growing Together with the Community’—ensuring that every CSR initiative is tailored to the unique needs of each region. With a strong legacy of driving social change across India, TKM’s expanding presence in the Northeast reflects its belief in creating real, lasting impact through collaborations that are local in approach and national in spirit.

New Delhi, April 21, 2025. WEY Technology India Ltd., a subsidiary of the Swiss-based WEY Group AG, proudly inaugurated its second India Experience Centre in New Delhi, reinforcing the company’s strong and growing commitment to the Indian market.

This state-of-the-art facility complements WEYTEC’s existing Experience Centre in Mumbai and serves as a live showcase for the company’s cutting-edge technologies tailored for mission-critical environments such as trading floors, command and control rooms, and security operations centers.

The New Delhi Experience Centre was formally inaugurated by Armin Klingler, Chairman of the Board and CEO, WEY Group AG; Pascal Kreienbühl, Deputy CEO and CFO, WEY Group AG; and Rajiv Bhalla, Managing Director, WEY Technology India Ltd.

With a legacy of over 40 years, WEYTEC is globally recognized for its Swiss-engineered, high-performance workplace solutions. The company specializes in the seamless transmission, control, distribution, and visualization of real-time data, empowering professionals across sectors with efficient and integrated work environments.

“India is a strategic market for WEYTEC, and we’re excited to bring our globally trusted innovations to support its growth,” said Armin Klingler, Chairman of the Board and CEO, WEY Group AG. “Our solutions embody the precision, reliability, and operator-focused design that define Swiss engineering. The Delhi Experience Center reflects our commitment to delivering immersive, high-performance technologies tailored for India’s dynamic control room environments.”

“We see immense potential in India as it emerges as a global leader in both digital and physical infrastructure,” added Rajiv Bhalla, Managing Director, WEYTEC India. “With significant investments in Roads, Railways, Ports, Airports, Power & Utilities, and Public Safety, this is the right time for WEYTEC’s precision-engineered solutions to deliver transformational value to India’s mission-critical sectors.”

On display at the Experience Center are WEYTEC’s flagship innovations:

• WDP MX^®: A solution that integrates and distributes analog and digital signals from and to systems and video walls in a single, independent IP network. Third-party systems can be integrated quickly and easily thanks to flexible APIs. The new turnkey WDP MX^® solution creates high-performance working environments perfectly tailored for traders and control room operators.
• smartVISUAL plus: An interactive workplace solution with smartVISUAL plus, combining smartVISUAL technology with an intuitive interface for seamless multi-window operation. It supports fast-paced environments, enhancing productivity with easy-to-use features.

This expansion reinforces WEYTEC’s long-term commitment to India and its focus on developing localized solutions in collaboration with Indian partners and stakeholders.

“The Skyview Gondola in Jammu represents the perfect blend of world-class collaborations, sustainability, safety, hospitality, and technological innovation. “We aim to implement our best practices across all our ongoing  ropeway projects, with the goal   of raising the bar and empowering India to lead the green mobility solutions space globally.  We remain focused on delivering world-class infrastructure while uplifting local communities,” said Syed Junaid Altaf, Executive Director, FIL Industries Private Limited.

AIFs have become an important investment vehicle for institutional investors and HNIs and also widened the scope for developers to secure funding.

In a declining interest rate environment when deposit rates are falling, return on equities are unstable and real estate is showing signs of slowdown, the time is idea for investors to look at safe and stable markets like Delhi to tap into the Rs 6 lakh crore redevelopment potential in South Delhi or invest in the upcoming supply with the approval of MPD 2041 expected soon.

By – Melody Lopez Director and Chief of Staff Crayon Software Experts

India Artificial intelligence writes code, climate change creates new industries, and remote work has redefined geography leading to the shelf-life of skills shrinking rapidly. In India – a country with the world’s largest youth population and a booming digital economy – the workforce is at a pivotal juncture. The future of work is not a distant concept – it is unfolding now, demanding a bold and strategic shift in how we prepare people for roles that may not yet exist.

As industries face waves of digital transformation and economic volatility, human resources professionals find themselves at a crossroads: react to disruption or future – proof the workforce. For HR leaders, this isn’t just about learning and development – it’s a call to architect a resilient, adaptable, and inclusive workforce. The upskilling and reskilling agenda must be built on the realities of India’s diverse socio-economic landscape, leveraging both grassroots initiatives and cutting-edge technologies to truly future-proof talent.

The Imperative for Skills Development

 The integration of AI into the workplace is transforming job functions at an unprecedented pace. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted by AI within just five years. Closer to home, sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and IT services are seeing automation take over routine functions, demanding new skills in data interpretation, cybersecurity, and customer analytics. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund estimates that 40% of global jobs could be impacted by AI – emphasizing an urgent call for continuous learning and agile skill enhancement in India’s diverse employment ecosystem.

 Embracing Skills-Based Hiring

 A significant shift is underway in recruitment: from pedigree to potential. As per research by TestGorilla, 81% of global employers adopted skills-based hiring in 2024, up from 56% in 2022. In India, companies such as Infosys and TCS are leading this change by prioritizing capability over credentials, creating a level playing field for candidates from non-traditional backgrounds. This shift is particularly empowering for India’s tier – 2/3 talent and gig workers who may lack formal degrees but possess relevant digital and soft skills.

Strategies for Effective Upskilling and Reskilling

• To future – proof the workforce, HR leaders should consider the following strategies:

Align with National Skill Development Schemes –

The Indian government’s continued push through the Skill India Mission, PMKVY, and Digital Skilling for Youth initiative offers businesses a blueprint for scalable skill development. HR leaders can partner with these programs to align corporate skilling objectives with national frameworks – tapping into financial incentives, certified curricula, and a vast training network.

Build Mobile – First, Vernacular Learning Ecosystems – With India’s smartphone penetration crossing 600 million users, learning must meet the learner where they are. HR leaders should co-create app-based, vernacular content that supports microlearning for blue – collar, gig, and frontline workers. Regional platforms like CherriLearn and localized offerings from upGrad are proving instrumental in democratizing access to skilling.

Drive Sector-Specific Skilling (Manufacturing, CleanTech, BFSI – As India positions itself as a manufacturing and renewable energy hub under Atmanirbhar Bharat, specific skill gaps are emerging in solar engineering, EV battery tech, advanced manufacturing, and green auditing. HR leaders should collaborate with ITIs, vocational institutes, and NSDC-accredited partners to tailor skilling programs that meet both global standards and local realities.

Skill the Gig and Informal Economy – India’s gig workforce is expected to cross 23.5 million by 2030, largely driven by logistics, retail, and app-based platforms. HR must recognize gig workers as strategic assets and invest in modular training, digital onboarding, and financial literacy. Tools like WhatsApp – based learning or IVR-powered training (used by Swiggy and Urban Company) can offer scalable solutions to upskill this massive, informal talent pool.

 Enable Internal Mobility Through Skill Mapping – With high attrition rates plaguing Indian tech and services sectors, internal mobility is emerging as a key retention lever. Using AI-driven platforms like Oracle Talent Management, HR can map existing skills, identify gaps, and recommend personalized learning journeys – helping employees transition into new roles, from data operations to DevOps or digital sales.

Strengthen Soft Skills and Leadership Pipelines – As India moves from backend services to global innovation hubs, the demand for leadership, communication, and design thinking is skyrocketing. HR must introduce structured programs for middle and senior management, blending e-learning with mentorship, real-time feedback, and cross-functional exposure. These programs will not only future-proof teams but also improve succession planning.

Cultivate Intrapreneurship Mindsets – In a startup – rich economy like India, fostering intrapreneurship is critical to innovation. HR can drive internal hackathons, “Shark Tank”-style pitch events, or innovation labs – encouraging employees to ideate and solve core business problems. This not only builds new skill sets but enhances employee engagement and retention. 

conclusion:

India is at a defining moment. A demographic dividend, a booming digital economy, and an evolving job market present both a challenge and an opportunity. For HR leaders, the mandate is to move beyond transactional training models and build an agile, inclusive, and skills-first workforce strategy. The numbers speak for themselves: AI, automation, and skills-based hiring are not distant disruptions, they’re current realities. The HR playbook must now combine public-private partnerships, local language content, tech-driven platforms, and empathy-led policies to truly future-proof India’s workforce. In this transformation, the organizations that invest in people will lead the future of work.