The CREST committee Mr. Punit Oswal, Siddharth Moorthy, Hiren Parmar, Ishaan Magar and Mohnish Agarwal organised CREST 2024 under the guidance and leadership of Mr. Rajesh Choudhary. The training session washeld on 9th Feb. 2024 at Sandipani, Symbiosis International University, Lavale. The ambiance of the Symbiosis International University was just appropriate to support such activities. This training session was attended by around 120 member developers.

Mr. Punit Oswal welcomed all the members and provided insights into the esteemed CREST culture within the organization, highlighting its legacy of fostering study and training opportunities. He outlined the nine power-packed sessions scheduled under CREST.

Mr. Rajesh Choudhary, Chairman of the CREST committee, extended a gracious welcome to the attendees, emphasizing the meticulous efforts invested in selecting topics and inviting speakers. He stressed the invaluable learning opportunities provided by industry stalwarts, offering insights into their successes and challenges.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ranjit Naiknavare, the President of CREDAI-Pune, underscored the opportune moment for learning and growth in real estate marketing, expressing confidence that attendees would gain enriching ideas and practical business tips from the program.

Mr. Satish Magar, the Chairman and Managing Director of Magarpatta City, delivered an insightful address, highlighting the unique essence of the event where luminaries from the past, present, and future converged to share their wisdom. He expressed optimism about Pune's potential, noting its distinguished populace and distinguishing it from the bustling metropolis of Mumbai.

Mr. Magar emphasized the critical importance of affordability, particularly for the middle-class demographic, foreseeing it as a cornerstone of future urban development. Drawing from his experience, he elucidated on the growing demand for residential properties, with every square foot allocated to the IT sector resulting in a tenfold demand for residential units.

Mr. Shantilal Kataria, the Managing Director of Aditya Builder, delivered an enlightening discourse on the significance of liaisoning and communication skills within the realm of Real Estate. He underscored the pivotal role of positive and effective communication, emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, he advocated for active listening skills, discouraging excessive talking, and underscored the importance of the gift theory in fostering positive relationships.

Mr. Kumar Gera, the Chairman of Gera Group, has a profound focus on cultivating a thriving family business. The core objectives encompass fostering brand resilience, sustainable profitability customer satisfaction, and a litigation-free environment. Within the context of family dynamics, there exists a deepseated aspiration to forge a lasting legacy and a robust support framework.

During a panel discussion on Redevelopment projects, key Figures including JMD Pandit Javdekar, Mr. Rahul Pandit, Mr. Vishal Gokhale from the Gokhale group, and Ar. Manoj Tatooskar from A & T consultants provided insights. Moderated by Mr. Sameer Belvalkar from Belvalkar group, the discussion highlighted a surge in demand for larger residences post-pandemic, leading to an uptick in redevelopment interest, particularly due to increased Floor Space Index (FSI).

Engagement with society members is typically limited to weekends, adding to the project's complexity. Moreover, the handover is to the developer personally, not just their company, emphasizing the importance of trust. Negotiating class conflicts between old and new owners is common. Society bidding poses its own challenges, and construction complexities further complicate matters.

The panel emphasized the importance of continuing green projects alongside redevelopment. With urban land becoming scarce, redevelopment is seen as a pivotal aspect of future urban development.

Mr. Arvind Jain, Managing Director of Pride Group, articulated essential considerations for land acquisition, emphasizing the strategic importance of location and alignment with core competencies. He underscored the signifacance of thorough research and due diligence in the process. Here's a refined version of his insights :

Mr. Nitin Nyati, representing Nyati Group, commenced his presentation by showcasing a comprehensive film highlighting the diverse range of projects undertaken by the group, emphasizing their scale and innovative design. He emphasized the remarkable pace at which several projects were completed within a short timeframe, attributing this success to meticulous micro-planning and stringent schedule monitoring.

Key to achieving such rapid execution, Mr. Nyati emphasized, is a relentless focus on detail at every stage of the project. He stressed the importance of clarity in design, structural integrity, constructional feasibility, and meticulous coordination. Additionally, he underscored the significance of mobilization, including aspects such as barricading, provision of essential utilities like electricity and water, staff allocation, and efficient site logistics management.

Dr. Shruti Patil, Head of the AI and ML Department at Symbiosis, emphasized the omnipresence of AI technology across various sectors during her discussion. She highlighted its adaptation in defense, agriculture, banking, financial institutions, and more, noting that AI enhances existing processes. Dr. Patil advocated for the widespread acceptance of AI, emphasizing its potential to simplify daily life. India, she noted, ranks third globally in AI adoption.

She explained that AI involves imparting our knowledge to machines to facilitate decision-making, drawing on our accumulated experience. AI's capacity to forecast future outcomes based on historical data was underscored, along with its ability to generate synthetic data, including images and text. Dr. Patil stressed the availability of AI applications and solutions across diverse service domains, portraying AI as an empowering tool.

During the panel discussion on the Fractional Ownership model, featuring Mr. Shive Pareskh from hBits, Mr. Aryaman Veer from Wis X, Mr. Rajesh Mittal from E & Y, and moderated by CA. Adv. Harshul Savla, the speakers highlighted opportunities for financial liquidity and real estate investment options. Fractional ownership emerged as a significant investment avenue in real estate, wherein the cost of an asset or property is divided among multiple individuals, each gaining a share in the profits.

The panel emphasized the professional assistance available for real estate investments, acting as intermediaries between investors and developers. They outlined a framework that serves as a platform for investors, built upon a solid track record. Developers, in turn, have the opportunity to sell their assets and exit the arrangement.

Mr. Rahul Mahiwal, the PMRDA Commissioner, provided an overview of PMRDA's future plans, aligning with Pune's status as an economic powerhouse within the state. The vision of PMRDA is cohesive, especially with the potential changes brought about by the applicability of UDCPR.

Key initiatives include ensuring a hassle-free metro system by March 2025 and resolving water issues through the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. Additionally, efforts are underway to identify and address small water bodies within the PMRDA area. The authority is also actively working on the development of an inner ring road.

Addressing concerns about fire safety in high-rise buildings, Mr. Mahiwal assured the audience of fully equipped fire stations and pledged to address any related issues. Furthermore, he expressed optimism about the potential application of UDCPR to PMRDA by the end of 2024.

Throughout the session, Mr. Mahiwal patiently addressed queries raised by members, showcasing his dedication and optimism towards PMRDA's goals.