MAM
The Social Street curates 6th Annual United Nations Young Changemakers Conclave
MUMBAI: The Social Street, a leading marketing communications agency curated the 6th Annual United Nations Young Changemakers Conclave (UNYCC) on 9 January at The Naval Lawns, Mumbai. This year, the theme of the conference was “Make in India: Sustainable Development,” urging the youth to take initiative and inspire them to make a real change in the society, by exploring the latest innovations and discussing current affairs.
The Conclave was attended by over 750 young individuals between the ages of 18 to 35 who were selected from diverse backgrounds to attend this near-day-long event to discuss, deliberate and debate around the core theme of the event, while engaging with the current leaders. The event started off with an opening address by United Nations Information Centre for India & Bhutan director Kiran Mehra Kerpelman .
The 6th Annual United Nations Young Changemakers Conclave witnessed participation of distinguished personalities and visionaries such as Union Railway Minister of India Suresh Prabhu;, Member of Lok Sabha Supriya Sule; National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress Sanjay Jha; INK Talks founder Lakshmi Pratury; Ogilvy & Mather chairman Piyush Pande and many such other dignitaries.
Commenting on this unique event, The Social Street founder and chairman said Pratap Bose, “Over the last two years, India has emerged as the third largest start-up ecosystem after the US and the UK. With so many budding entrepreneurs waiting in the wings, we at The Social Street are proud to have curated the 6th Annual United Nations Young Changemakers Conclave.”
Bose further added, “The conference was primarily aimed at engaging young thinkers and well known stalwarts to share their perspective and show us the way in making a difference in our society in our own distinctive way.”
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
