Built by a journalist to bring together the diverse voices of Gurugram — residents, experts, and institutions — on one credible platform.
GurgaonFirst was founded by Shubhra Puri in 2012 out of a simple conviction: Gurugram’s residents deserved a credible, independent platform to understand, engage with, and improve their city. Thirteen years on, that conviction has produced 47+ workshops, 4 handbooks, 15+ songs, and a civic platform that reaches thousands across the Millennium City.
2012
Year Shubhra Puri founded Gurgaon First — Gurugram’s first independent multi-stakeholder civic platform
47+
Public workshops, roundtables, and conclaves convened and facilitated since inception
8,000+
Delegates reached across workshops, trainings, and Music for a Cause programmes
Shubhra Puri
“Gurugram is home to remarkable talent, including people who’ve moved here from across India and the world. Tapping into that collective wisdom — and engaging the next generation as active participants, not just future stakeholders — is how this city can lead in progressive urban living.”
Shubhra Puri is a journalist, communication specialist, and energy sector consultant who founded GurgaonFirst in 2012 to bridge the gap between Gurugram’s rapid growth and the civic engagement its residents needed to shape it. She has spent over two decades writing, convening, and campaigning on urban sustainability, women’s safety, clean energy, and inclusive governance.
Her writing on Gurugram’s urban challenges has appeared across leading national publications. She writes the “Human Impact” column for Hindustan Times, translating complex civic and environmental issues into language every resident can act on. She has also contributed to Times of India, Deccan Herald, and other major platforms.
Civic roles & positions
- Advisor — One Stop Centre for Women, Gurugram (DC Office initiative)
- Advisor — Kalagram, Society for Promotion of Arts, Gurugram
- Member — District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee (DISHA), Gurugram
- Trustee — Raahgiri Foundation
- ICC Member — Internal Complaints Committees for POSH compliance, two private organisations
Education & background
- MBA and experience as a business journalist.
- Energy sector consulting — with focus on renewable energy policy and adoption
- Communication strategy — advising government, civil society, and corporate bodies
- TedEX speaker
Listen to her discussions about Gurugram
What she built
Three platforms. One city. Thirteen years.
Gurgaon First platform
Built Gurugram’s first independent, multi-stakeholder civic dialogue platform from scratch — with no institutional funding in the early years. 47+ workshops, 4 handbooks, a newsletter, and a city-wide civic intelligence portal.
GF Foundation
Constituted GurgaonFirst Foundation as the not-for-profit arm to deliver structured CSR programmes for corporate partners. Recognised as NGO Changemaker at the Global Sustainability Awards, Miranda House, New Delhi.
Music for a Cause
Produced 20+ social awareness compositions — in collaboration with MCG, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Haryana Sports Department, and Raahgiri Foundation — covering air quality, waste, women’s safety, and pedestrian mobility.
The team
Join the team
Volunteer & Collaborate
GurgaonFirst works with a dedicated network of volunteers, subject matter experts, and partner organisations. If you’d like to contribute your skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Get involved →Want to collaborate, partner, or commission a programme? Reach Shubhra directly at [email protected]
About GurgaonFirst →