The Writer’s Flight

Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi With the real estate market in India in upcycle, one segment that is witnessing rapid growth is second (including retirement) homes. A recent report by 360 Realtors says this segment is likely to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23.6 per cent over the next five years.  Goa, Alibaug, Lonavala, Coonoor, Ooty, Kasauli, and Shimla have emerged as the second home hotspots within the country. Several factors are driving this demand. With many companies willing to offer at least some of their employees the option to work from home, many people are investing in a second home in places that offer a salubrious climate. Some are investing for quick appreciation. Says Dhimaan Shah, co-founder, Isprava, which offers fully furnished second homes priced between ~5.5 crore and ~30 crore: “If you buy with the right brand and invest in the right project, you could get appreciation within a short period.” Goa currently offers the best investment

Paint makers are going beyond selling colour and are offering to do up your house themselves real quick without compromising on workmanship Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   Increasing disposable incomes, surge in sales of high-end products and rapid urbanisation, among other things, are driving demand for luxury and premium paints. Source: Adobe Stock A bright blue, a mild joyful pink, warm summer tones like pale purple or nature-inspired ones like cool blues or light greens can really give a facelift to your house. If you are looking for subtler shades, go for earthy browns or soft greys and accentuate with boldly coloured furniture and décor. Simply put, the colours on our walls play a role in setting the mood. Says Gabriel Gil, Head of Design and Innovation, Bonito Designs: “In interior design, we as professionals use the power of colour to evoke the desired effect in people. Neutral colours such as beige and peach work well in the private spaces of one's house, while vibrant hue

  Meet Heartfulness Guide Kamlesh Patel, also known as Daaji, the fourth spiritual Guide in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga meditation who talks about the benefits of meditation in achieving the highest level of consciousness. The Heartfulness practice established by the Shri Ram Chandra Mission in 1945 offers a simple set of meditative practices and lifestyle changes designed to support contentment, inner calm and clarity of thought, as the first step towards a purposeful life. More than 5,000 Heartfulness Centres are supported by many thousands of certified volunteer trainers and millions of practitioners in 160 countries Namrata Kohli in an exclusive conversation with renowned Heartfulness Guide - Daaji  Q) I was reading your book ‘Designing Destiny’ and you made an interesting point that like genetics, destiny can also be changed. There are certain fixed components of genetics which have been inherited but then there are also flexible epigenetics which in the influence of yo

Your love affair with the precious stones doesn't end with the purchase. You've really got to take care of the ice to keep the blemishes away. Here are tips on how to buy diamonds. Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi The bigger the diamond and the better the quality, the higher is the price. A one-carat stone will cost upwards of Rs 1.5 lakh, a five-carat will set you back by Rs 15 lakh. Source: Adobe Stock A smart alchemist once said a diamond is a mere lump of coal that did exceedingly well “under pressure”. This piece of carbon has been a rare find and therefore worth much more than its country cousins – graphite and coal.  Diamonds  today have become the most coveted piece of jewellery, often surpassing gold in people’s perception and for its snob appeal. No wedding is complete without a diamond ring, and most men and women aspire to gift and get a stone. Jewellery designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, daughter of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor and sister of Ranbir Kapoor, says, “Delicate 

Feeling stressed? Or just need some calm and perspective and time to disconnect from your daily routine? A meditation retreat can be a respite from the hustle and bustle and  helps us create space and time away from everyday distractions and give full attention to self-care Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   Kanha Shanti Vanam Centre for Heartfulness Meditation, Telangana. It is the world's largest meditation hall and can host 100.000 practitioners at one go Olympian P V Sindhu often visits Kanha Shantivanam, the heartfulness  meditation  centre in Hyderabad, to rejuvenate -herself after a hectic and gruelling season. She says, “My life has changed after I started practicing  meditation . People think practicing  meditation  the right way is difficult and wonder whether it leads to success. I'd like to say that meditation isn't a magic pill for success, but brings clarity within your mind and heart. It calms my mind, helps me understand my emotions better, and helps me plan my