The Writer’s Flight

Several industrial areas and mill lands in the Capital have given way to premium residential projects. Developers say affordable housing can come up and reduce migration to NCR towns, provided conversion charges are reduced and infrastructure is improved NAMRATA KOHLI Representative image (Source: ShutterStock) Several industrial areas in West Delhi that were earlier considered to be on the outskirts are now part of the main city, thanks largely to massive urbanisation and an increase in population. Over the years, a few real estate developers have launched luxury projects on what used to be mill and industrial lands, in areas such as Moti Nagar, Karol Bagh, Naraina and Mayapuri. With the authorities endeavouring to move polluting manufacturing units to the periphery, more land parcels will come up for development of real estate projects and infrastructure within the city. But will there be enough takers? The capital’s masterplan It was the Delhi Masterplan 1962 that had made a strong ...

As more people take up the health and exercise system, a wardrobe to practise yoga is becoming essential Namrata Kohli People perform Yoga to mark International Day of Yoga at the Gateway of India in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Yoga enthusiasts across the world Tuesday took part in mass yoga events to mark Yoga Day. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) The first International Day of Yoga, recognised by the UN, was celebrated in 2015 a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea to promote India’s soft power. Thousands turned up to do ‘Yoga for Humanity' on June 21 across the country, spreading their exercise mats at 75 iconic sites such as the Gwalior Fort and Delhi’s Red Fort. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the yoga movement: a nationwide survey by meditation and mindfulness app ThinkRight.me found that 66 per cent Indians practice it. Yoga reduces stress, improves productivity, gives peace, and improves relationships, followers say. “The need for mindful li...

Don't like chocolate? Not a fan of vanilla? Maybe you're into fruit-flavoured ones? No matter what you like, there is a taste for everyone. Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi India is one of the fastest-growing ice-cream markets and consumers in its cities do not mind splurging on quality and brand value Ice cream is the perfect treat for all seasons. In the summer, you can cool off from a delicious scoop and in the winter, you can enjoy your favourite slice of hot pie with a scoop of ice cream. With severe heat waves across North India, ice cream sales have surged. “The temperatures are soaring and so is demand for cold beverages especially ice-creams, sorbets and fresh fruit crushes. To ensure there is enough variety for the calorie conscious we have introduced a sugar free variety this year which is made with low fat cream such as melon and kala khatta at Rs 299 plus taxes,” says Sumit Gogia, general manager of Four Points by Sheraton Delhi. Ice cream can be served many dif...

Stick to RERA-registered brokers, preferably the tech-savvy kind, and look for deep knowledge of the micro-market you are interested in Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Another fraud is where the broker lists a price way below the market price. Buying or selling  real estate  is among the biggest transactions you are likely to conduct in your lifetime. Hiring a skilled and ethical professional who can guide you through the sometimes long-drawn process can make your experience more pleasant. Pay for professional advice A survey conducted by BASIC Home Loan some time ago had found that half the people still trust their friends and family for primary advice while purchasing a house, instead of relying on information provided by  brokers . However, family and friends can’t be a substitute for a skilled, full-time professional. Says Atul Monga, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), BASIC Home Loan: “As a society, we are reluctant to pay for professional adv...

Both two- and four-wheeler EVs are available at various price points to suit your budget; you can also expect a slew of new models a few months down the line Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Electric vehicles help you not only save energy and emissions but also offer a better and quieter driving experience There is little doubt that recent cases of electric scooters having caught fire recently have slowed down the adoption of  electric vehicles  to some extent. In fact, Vinkesh Gulati, President, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, dwelt on the concerns about safety of these vehicles in a May 2022 report, in which he said, “While  two-wheeler  EV sales were growing rapidly, though on a low base, various fire incidents across almost all EV brands created a fear in the mind of the customer. This, coupled with supply chain issues, has decreased  two-wheeler  EV sales drastically from last month.” However, when it comes to electric four-w...

One thing about booking at the eleventh hour is the thrill of not knowing where you're going till the very last minute; also, you can get a good deal both at the hotel and the airline Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Most travel sites and consultant offer attractive last-minute deals, but you must stay informed and know when there is a deal or a sale going on Right, so you've been meaning to escape the hot city summer and head to a place where you can really chill. Only, you haven't had the time to plan your bookings and suddenly find that travel tickets have shot through the roof, and every decent hotel room has been booked. Don't sweat. It's for eleventh-hour vacation planners like you that portals such as lastminutetravel.com and a host of others have mushroomed on the internet. Booking in advance isn't always possible, given the busy work schedules, says Archana Ghai, a Gurugram-based corporate executive. She adds, “One good thing about booking your vacation la...

“We want to take the pain out of paints”, says Amit Syngle MD Asian Paints who says they are focussing on paint more as a service, than a product. The company, which was formed in 1942, has come a long way to become India’s leading and Asia’s third largest paint company, with a turnover of Rs. 217 billion. Namrata Kohli meets Amit Syngle on the sidelines of India Design ID 2022 held at  New Delhi’s NSIC Grounds in Okhla You just unveiled the ColourNext 2022 forecast of trends in colours, materials, textures and finishes from Asian Paints. What is the mood of the season? While 2021 was a year of major changes and lessons, 2022 is the year for taking everything in our stride and marching on. A time to shake off stigma and stereotypes and keep growing, the colour of the year is 'Transcendent Pink' which is all about liberating oneself to live life, riding every tide. ColourNext 2022 is all about embracing the new and translating that into décor spaces. Once you free yourse...