Mumbai : The third day of
the 32nd Property and Home Finance Expo, “Mall of Homes,” organized by
CREDAI-MCHI, witnessed an inspiring turnout during the much-anticipated “Pink
Day.” It began on an inspiring note with the visit of Pratap Sarnaik, Minister
of Transport, Maharashtra. Over 58,000 visitors attended the event in three
days, and 18 properties were booked in just 10 minutes, reflecting the
transformation in real estate, making home bookings faster and more seamless.
MICL alone achieved a business of ₹58 crore, while SBI Bank recorded
transactions worth ₹224 crore, showcasing the Expo’s success and its
significant contribution to the real estate and financial sectors.
Smt. Sujata
Saunik, Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra, delivered a keynote
address digitally, emphasizing the need to challenge deep-rooted gender biases
in real estate. She highlighted, “Reclaiming what’s rightfully hers speaks to
the core of a vision I deeply hold—a vision where every woman, regardless of
her background or circumstances, is empowered to take ownership of her life and
her future. Homeownership is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about
safety, freedom, and a foundation for dreams to flourish. I urge policymakers,
leaders, and developers to place women at the center of their plans and
projects, ensuring that inclusive housing becomes a reality.”
Speaking
at the expo, Mr. Domnic Romell, President, CREDAI-MCHI mentioned, “Women make
up half of our population, yet in Maharashtra, their homeownership rate is less
than 2%. At CREDAI-MCHI, we are taking bold steps to change this narrative with
initiatives like the ₹2 lakh special offer for women buyers, aimed at
empowering them to take the leap into homeownership. Women have always been the
catalysts for progress, and we believe this is the time to recognize their
rightful place in shaping the real estate sector.”
Mr. Keval Valambia, COO,
CREDAI-MCHI said, “The figure
of 1.89% homeownership among women in Maharashtra is not just a statistic; it’s
an alarm bell. It reflects deep-seated barriers and societal norms that have
sidelined women in real estate. At CREDAI-MCHI, we are committed to changing
this through initiatives like Pink Day and special reservations for women
buyers. This is more than an event—it’s a movement to ensure women’s rightful
place as decision-makers and leaders in the housing sector.”
Mr.
Nikunj Sanghavi, Convener of the Expo and Treasurer of CREDAI-MCHI, shared, “Pink
Day is a testament to the transformative power of inclusivity in real estate.
By empowering women through homeownership, we are not just selling homes but
building a future rooted in equality and progress.”
Renowned
luxury interior designers Neeta Sarda, Deval Ambani, and Lopa Sanghvi took the
stage to share their transformative visions for high-end interiors, showcasing
women’s pivotal role in revolutionizing design. Their insights offered a
glimpse into the future of personalized and immersive spaces, inspiring
attendees to reimagine luxury living.
The
session “Women Leading the Way: Entrepreneurial Pathways” saw dynamic leaders
like Sheetal Bhilkar, Founder/Director, UBSC; Ayushi Ashar, Director, Ashar
Group; Priyaa Gurnani, MD, Moraj Group; Rajila Jain, AVP, Cannon Design; Reshma
Girish Patil, Head of the Data Centre Business, Burns & McDonnell
Engineering India Pvt. Ltd. and Menaka Deorah, Founder Lamère Life, Maeka
Waters discussing strategies to drive inclusivity and sustainability in the
real estate sector. Their stories of success underlined the importance of
female leadership in shaping a progressive and equitable industry.
An
inspiring segment featured Vanita Borade, India’s first female snake rescuer,
and Harshini Kanhekar, the country’s first female firefighter, who shared their
groundbreaking journeys. Their narratives not only broke stereotypes but also
championed the potential of women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated
fields.
A
forward-thinking discussion, “Breaking the Binary,” addressed the pressing need
for inclusivity in housing for the LGBTQIA+ community. Sarah Shabbir
Suwasrawala, Program Coordinator, Urja Trust; Sachin Jain, G.H.A.R (Gay Housing
Assistance Resource) and Aanchal Narang, Another Light Counselling led the
dialogue, emphasizing the importance of designing urban spaces that cater to
all. Zarna Alkanti, a prominent news anchor, highlighted the media’s crucial
role in shaping narratives that empower marginalized groups and elevate the
discourse around inclusivity.
The
dialogue highlighted the need for urban spaces to be designed as truly
inclusive environments, where everyone—regardless of gender identity—feels safe
and respected. Discussion emphasized the importance of addressing issues such
as discriminatory practices that prevent same-sex couples from jointly
purchasing homes or applying for home loans together due to the lack of legal
recognition. The need for sensitization among brokers, landlords, and housing
societies was underscored as a crucial step toward breaking barriers in the
real estate sector.
CREDAI-MCHI
also showcased examples of impactful initiatives, such as Gay Housing
Assistance Resource (GHAR), which serves as a community-led platform to connect
LGBTQIA+ individuals with housing opportunities. Attendees called for greater
efforts to establish temporary shelter homes and support structures for
vulnerable groups, particularly transgender individuals, emphasizing the
importance of inclusive policies to foster a sense of belonging.
ABOUT CREDAI-MCHI
CREDAI-MCHI is an apex body comprising members
from the Real Estate Industry in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). With an
impressive membership of over 1800+ leading developers in MMR, CREDAI-MCHI has
extended its reach throughout the region, establishing units in various
locations such as Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Virar, Raigad, Navi Mumbai,
Palghar-Boisar, Bhiwandi, Uran-Dronagiri, Shahapur-Murbad, and most recently in
Alibag, Karjat-Khalapur-Khopoli, and Pen. Being the only Government-recognized
body for private sector developers in MMR, CREDAI-MCHI is dedicated to
promoting the industry’s organization and progress.
As a part of CREDAI National, an apex body of
13000 developers across the nation, CREDAI-MCHI has emerged as a preferred
platform for regional discussions on housing and habitat by establishing close
and strong ties with the government. It is committed to breaking barriers to
create a strong, organized, and progressive real estate sector in the MMR.The
vision of CREDAI-MCHI is to empower the Real Estate fraternity of the Mumbai
Metropolitan Region as it preserves, protects, and advances the right to
housing for all. To continue being a trusted ally, guiding their members,
supporting the Government on policy advocacy, and assisting those they serve
through the ever-evolving real estate fraternity.
Website: https://mchi.net/