Homes for senior citizens- Evolve to a Future-Enabled Living in India

Independent Young Seniors

Today’s senior citizen generation is more educated and financially stable than their predecessors. They may have aged physically but they are young at heart.

Elderly today are independent and attuned to the current times, and conscious about the ‘Perform or Perish’ scenario that their children face. They are well aware of the rat race, where job responsibilities and expectations increase day-by-day.

More and more seniors are therefore opting to be independent, and lead a life of dignity without burdening the aspirations of their children.

Senior Living – The Gift of Dignity and Independence

Senior living homes are a great boon to elderly, to overcome the ‘empty nest’ syndrome and to enjoy the retirement years. Housing facilities for senior citizens is soon becoming the new normal. It is a gift that both generations can give to each other.

Younger generation can be rest assured about their parent’s well-being, and the older folk can live their life peacefully without being dependent on their children and curbing them from flying off in search of better avenues.

Independent living homes or senior living homes, as they are termed today, are holistic living colonies replete with all the facilities one could ask for – right from elderly-friendly designs to prompt medical attention.

The Wellness Factor

The independent senior living homes are wellness facilities that cater to a person’s physical wellness as well as spiritual, emotional, environmental and social wellness.

Independent living homes vouch for dignity and independence of the elderly, by providing a unique blend of preventive healthcare, engagement and companionship.

Senior living homes are typically found off-city limits, closer to the hills where the air is clean and fresh and there’s little or no pollution.

Without thinking twice, one would know that this would be an ideal place for them to retire to live a jovial and peaceful lifestyle.

Facilities

Senior citizen homes offer a host of facilities, required for a peaceful life:

Spacious Rooms

Elder-Friendly Construction Designs (anti-skid flooring and handle-grabs to facilitate mobility)

Wholesome Food

24×7 Attention Care

Yoga Centers

Landscaped Parks

Well-Lit Roads

Around-the-Clock Security

Leisure Activities, Fun Clubs, etc.

Spiritual Nourishment

Friendships of Like-Aged and Like-Minded People

With these housing facilities, the elderly will have a great place to spend the autumn of their lives financially and socially independent, and in harmony.

Smart Cities – The Changing Face of Urban Landscape

Urban centers in India are reeling under the combined pressure of population explosion, environmental pollution and depleting resources. It is a costly and challenging process to remodel existing cities. Which is why, ever since the government announced its plan to create 100 new smart cities in India, there has been a lot of buzz around what these smart cities will be like and what problems will they solve.
Problems Identified with Existing Cities

Congested living spaces, unplanned and thriving illegal colonies.

Mismanagement of essential services like electricity and water.

Chaotic traffic and long traveling hours.

High cost of living as opposed to lower quality of life.

Poor social security, increasing cases of petty thefts as well as serious violence

Prone to environmental shocks. Not enough earthquake proof buildings or flood protection

High industrial pollution due to factories and residential areas mixed together

Poor waste management leads to dangerously polluted water bodies like Yamuna in NCR

Now let us take a look at how a smart city solve the problems of an existing metro city

Smart Cities Facilities

A smart city makes use of information and communication technology to build strong infrastructure that can respond promptly to changing circumstances. It also uses technology to build communication between the city governance and its citizens through e-participation.

Independent and self-sustaining city with schools, hospitals, offices, shopping complexes and other public places.

De-congested community living in planned societies that have ample open spaces for walking. No illegal/unauthorized construction clogging residential lands.

Computerized control of water, LPG and electricity distribution 24×7 ensuring zero wastage or black marketing.

Rapid Transit System through future-proof public transportation like high speed metros, smart buses, regularized taxi system and wider roads making commuting convenient.

Computerized and centralized traffic management, traffic lights control and real time traffic information update online which commuters can conveniently check real-time to avoid high traffic routes.

Pollution free environment due to proper arrangements for pollution control for healthy living.

Safeguard against earthquake, floods and other natural calamities

High security through use of technology in security services, public awareness, regular residents’ background verification ensuring safety of women and children.

Proper facilities of waste management and recycling. No dumping of wastage in nearby water bodies.

Adequate sports facilities for public health opportunities

5 Totally Inexpensive Changes That You Should Do Before Moving To Another House!

Moving into a new home is exciting for sure while it comes with a whole list of challenges too. Apart from looking at moving your home furniture and all your personal belongings, there are a few more important things that we need to keep in mind while shifting. This article informs you about the 5 changes you must make in your new house before moving in.

1.  Change Locks in Your New House

Always remember that along with you, the previous owner of the house, service staff, and real estate agents will also have access to your new house. Therefore, it is important that you change all the locks on doors and review the entire security system. You can either get a new home security system or get a locksmith to change the locks.

2.   Organise Storage Space

As soon as you move into your new house, you will need a lot of space to store your clothes and other commodities. It is not necessary that the storage units or closets existing in the house will be sufficient to meet your needs. Therefore, analyse the situation before you move in and install new cabinets, walk-in-closets, or shelves.

3.   Renovate the House

Before moving into the house with all your furniture, you must get all renovation work done. If you would like to get the walls repainted, the best time to do it is when the house is empty and devoid of any objects. You can also repair damaged areas in the wall or ceiling. Finally, you can put a wallpaper or paint your new home in a colour of your choice.

4.   Replace Windows

Your new house may have bad windows with insufficient protection from heat and cold. For example, if your new house is located in Delhi, you will have to install windows that can withstand extreme temperatures. Since the capital city faces high temperatures during summer and winter, it is better to use drapes or blinds to cover the windows. This will provide insulation to your home.

5.   Keep Your House Pest/Dirt Free

To ensure that your house is free of any kind of insects or harmful germs, you must get it cleaned thoroughly. You can hire a professional home cleaning company to get the job done.

Implementing the above changes before moving into a new house will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.

Vastu for Good Career

Vastu is a medicine for problems of every sphere of life. If a person is facing problems in health, finance, prosperity, growth or career then a little tip from Vastu can help him/her a lot in solving the problem. Career is one sphere of life which is very important for each and every person. Everyone works hard for career but sometime even hard work doesn’t pay the same that a person really deserves. In such situations person should have suggestions and tips from Vastu shastra as it helps him/her with different positive energies along with their hard work to achieve what they really deserve. If a person is a working professional and he/she is working hard to excel in life and still lag behind somewhere then there are some tips which can help them to achieve a lot in their career. And if a person is a student and he/she is aiming for a career then again Vastu Shastra has some suggestion and tips for them to achieve what they really deserve in life.

Vastu tips for Career of working professionals 
The most important thing for a working professional is position of his/her seat and the direction in which they sit. So if a person is thinking to reach the vistas of his/her career than he/she should pay attention towards the Vastu of the chamber or seat in the office. The most important thing which a person should keep in mind is never sit with his/her back towards the entrance, There should be a solid strong wall behind person’s back as this will boost up his/her confidence.

The chair of a professional person should be a high back chair. If a person is attending or conducting a meeting in a conference hall then he/she should sit quite far away from the main entrance of the hall. The seating system of the working professional should be north facing as it helps in concentration. A sharp edged furniture especially table should be avoided in meeting rooms and conference hall. If a person is operating an office from his or her residence then the office shouldn’t lie next to the bed room. Any beams which are there to support the office ceiling should not come parallel to the chair of professional person. The working desk of a professional should not be in any other shape than square or rectangle. A crystal on the working desk of a professional person can help in increasing the monetary flow and create a cheerful ambiance.


Vastu tips for Career of Students 

For a student who is working hard to get through a good career and excel in it the Vastu suggests that he/she should have an average size study table which should be either square or rectangle in shape. If a student is facing problem with the concentration level then he should change the position of the study table to either to east or to north side of the room, he/she should also sit for studies facing east or north direction. There should be space between the table and the wall as that space is given for regulating the flow of positive energies. Bookshelf of the student should also be in east, north or north east direction as this is considered as best place for the books. The study table of the student should be clean and any unnecessary books, paper or other things should not be there. A good light lamp should be kept on the south east corner of the study table.

5 Simple Ways To De-Clutter Your Room

The idea of de-cluttering your living space is appealing to everyone. However, if you do not want to stress yourself, and still get rid of all the junk lying around, follow these five simple tips to change the look of your room instantly. The de-cluttering journey is not that painful, it can be extremely fun and creative if you get a few things in order.

Let’s get started with these 5 steps:

Make List— Create a list of places and identify the problem areas. Don’t fret; just remember the de-cluttering process can be extremely joyful if you start with a list. Start with one room and de-clutter one room at a time. The cleaning will give you a sense of accomplishment and will motivate you to continue with more! Also, involve your kids who can help you in cleaning closets, cabinets and desks and will learn the value of a clean living space.

Set a deadline— Give yourself a date and make a chart or mark dates off on a calendar. Trying to clean all at one go will stress you out, instead take time out and de-clutter for 15 minutes every day. Setting a deadline and cleaning rooms according to the list will help you in getting rid of things which you don’t need without tiring you out.

Sort out clothes, shows, bags, accessories individually— As you set out to de-clutter your cupboards and closets, sort out clothes and divide them into categories. Plastic organizers are a great way to keep clothes sorted and in place. You can also adopt the 3-box method to de-clutter your closet. Get three separate boxes; trash, for-keeps and to-relocate. As you fill each of the boxes with individual items, you know which ones are trash, what to keep, and what needs to be relocated. This way you have to clean less and at the same time not feel guilty about owning too many unwanted things.

Use trash bag to de-clutter your room— Its simple! One of the favorite de-cluttering techniques is to keep a trash bag handy, where you can collect and fill all your trash. While most of it will be trash, some can be recycled for better purpose. Without a trash bag, cleaning and keeping it in the same place will double your work and clutter your room further.

When in doubt, don’t throw it out— Remember your old trouser that you haven’t worn in six months, the dress that was discarded since last year, the top that was gorgeous but not fitting you anymore? It’s time to re-think, will you ever wear them in the future? If your answer is no, instead of discarding, why don’t you give it away to people who need them more than you do? This way you won’t even feel guilty about discarding things and you will make someone smile!

Trend Alert! Hottest Home Decor Trends This Season!

Do you like coming back every day to a non-descript home? A house with a drab ambiance can make you feel gloomy for the whole day…time has come to reinvent ways to add charm and that extra spark to your home! Check these latest home decor trends that have gained popularity in the last couple of years which can do wonders in making your home a paradise!

Paper your walls with wallpapers- We Indians are alien to the concept of using wallpapers, rather we prefer painting our walls every Diwali. But wallpapers are suddenly being considered as a preferred option as it looks chic and requires less labour work as compared to paintings.

The old the better, Vintage can do wonders- Don’t you find vintage artifacts desirable? Try the new age vintage collections, paintings, ceramic artworks, tribal cushions. Vintage is not only in vogue but aesthetically pleasing which adds modernity to your conventional spaces. Moreover, you get to have your moment of pride as guests keep on asking you, where did you get that? 

Remove those age old furniture and welcome contemporary furniture- Fusion is not only contemporary, but pleasurable to the eyes too. Contemporary trendy furniture offers you the rawness of organic wood and modern styling of acrylic which is light weight and adds to your décor. 

Boycott those white and grey shades; try bright red colour paint- Gone are those days when walls were just coloured white and pale yellow to give it a decent touch. Try shades of red, burgundy and mauve! The bold colours are sure to add that missing spunk!

Let your walls speak! - Sculptural pieces and artworks add dimensionality to your walls. It’s better to replace those conventional frames and paintings with sculptural artifacts which can add texture and unique focal points on your walls.  

Union Budget 2015-16: The Halfway Reforms For Real Estate

Recently, The Economist claimed that it was India’s chance to fly. The report argued that even as the economies of China and Brazil were on the trajectory of slow growth, it was actually a moment of reckoning for India to accelerate its economic growth. The much-anticipated Union Budget 2015-16 is now tabled. While the jury is still out on the big bang reforms expected from the Budget, lets takes a quick look at the measures that could have a direct or indirect bearing on the real estate sector:

In the Union Budget presented today, the FM proposed many reforms that might strengthen the real estate sector, but there still isn't much clarity on building smart cities

1. Infrastructure: The Narendra Modi led NDA government has proposed raising the investment in infrastructure by Rs 70,000 crore and also has plans to revive the private public partnership model of investment in the sector. The proposed Rural Infrastructure Development Fund will also see an investment of Rs 25,000 crore. These measures to boost infrastructural development come even as the government still grapples with fiscal deficit. In the past, governments have often slashed spending on infrastructural projects to make way for subsidies. This year, however, infrastructure is a sure shot winner.

2. AIFs: Finanace Minister Arun Jaitley has announced FDI in Alternate Investment Funds (AIF). An AIF is a pooled-in investment vehicle for investing in real estate, private equity and hedge funds. The government will also eliminate categories such as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to encourage more foreign investors to invest in the markets in India. Infrastructure funds are Category 1 AIFs. So, this will encourage more investment in infrastructure development projects too.

3. Black Money: To curb transactions in black money in real estate, the government proposed to introduce Benami Transaction Prohibition Bill. It also proposed that using Rs 20,000 in cash for purchase or sale of immovable property should be disallowed. The monetary transactions in the Indian real estate markets often involve black money, and this prevents many investors and homebuyers from investing in property. Transactions often involve black money because the sellers often pressurize the buyers to understate the value of the property to evade capital gains tax. But, as the government has proposed an overhaul of the same, this is likely to bring down transactions in black money in real estate.

4. REITs: The proposed REITs are likely to invest in income generating assets held by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). A barrier to the formation of the REITs is the taxation norms. The SPVs which exchange their shares for REIT units will have to pay corporate tax and dividend distribution tax, apart from capital gains tax while selling the REIT units in the future. The FM has proposed reducing the corporate tax from 30% to 25%, and this will reduce the tax burden on SPVs. The FM has also proposed reforming the capital gains tax rules to help the formation of REITs, though the specific reforms that are likely are not clear.

5. Wealth Tax: The Government has proposed eliminating wealth tax. In India, the wealth tax was 1% on net wealth exceeding Rs 30 lakh. This will encourage more investment in housing because housing prices are often much higher in many parts of the country.
6. Service Tax: The FM has proposed that the service tax be raised from 12.4% to 14%. While buying houses, the homebuyers are expected to pay service tax, apart from value added tax, stamp duty and registration charges.  So, hiking the service tax will discourage investment in the housing segment.

7. Smart Cities and Rental Income: Real estate players had expected the government to announce deductions on rental income to boost investment in the rental housing segment. The budget, however, was silent on this. The government did not announce measures that would bring in more clarity on building cities either, though investing more in infrastructural projects will improve outlook for the real estate sector in India.