Luxury housing finds space in Thane

“Luxury projects in Thane? You must be joking. Isn’t the location meant for affordable living of working class?” Well, you may also have had the same reaction in the past if you weren’t tracking the developments in and around Thane’s property market. This region is on a fast forward mode of development and the growth has been both, horizontally and vertical. The fact is that Thane is changing and it is changing fast. Luxury projects which had a stronghold in South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, have steadily made inroads into Thane and a couple of luxury projects in the vicinity are all set to change the urban landscape of the market known for affordable projects thus far.

It seems the Thane region is all set to give competition to the other luxury locations of Mumbai due to its ticket size and green surroundings. Who would have thought that Thane would emerge on the luxury landscape of Mumbai property? If the projects in the pipeline are any indication, already many of the leading developers have planned their luxury projects in Thane. They believe this is the time to change the ‘affordable’ perception which has more appreciation potential than the saturated luxury markets of Mumbai. As a result, the NRIs, HNIs and other big-ticket investors are closely monitoring the developments in this pocket.

Analysts tracking the market in this part of the world are not surprised either. They believe these emerging locations offer more space to developers to innovate than the established locations. Thane has, anytime, more potential for appreciation than the traditional pockets of luxury across Mumbai. Neeraj Bansal, partner, Real Estate & Construction with KPMG India, says in time to come, the investors would be more willing to look at these locations as a matter of investment strategy. “It is not just the return on investment (ROI) that is anytime higher than the established luxury markets but even the ticket size is quite attractive. An investor can have two to three projects, rather than one project when he decides to enter in such luxury projects, in a luxury market of this size. In these turbulent economic times, it makes a perfect business sense,” explains Bansal.

A Kalpataru spokesperson maintains that Thane today, offers the widest choice of product offerings, suitable for all types of customer needs. There is a holistic city development that is happening which is ideal for any city to develop and prosper. Improved infrastructure has attracted well-known developers who envisioned Thane as a luxurious residential market. “Today, Thane has some well-known luxury projects to suit the needs of HNIs, NRIs, businessmen and film artists. These projects are located at prime locations and enjoy good connectivity,” says Kalpataru spokesperson.
There has been a radical change in Thane, with improved infrastructure and multiple luxury projects taking place in the city. For example, in July last year when one of the developers announced the opening of the second phase of their mall, the analysts and critics were wondering whether it makes sense for a 13- acre plot spread over an area of one million sq ft to be fully operational in Thane. However, the fact that inauguration of the mall had witnessed the opening of more than 60 brands including Shoppers Stop, Marks & Spencer, Lifestyle, Pantaloons, Home Centre, Splash and many more for the first time in Thane, made it a case study for serious researchers of the property market.
Within a year now, some of the other experienced players in the retail format are flocking to Thane, with a number of malls in the pipeline. Property analysts are wondering though whether there is a method in the madness. Will the conservative spending patterns of Thane actually transform into a mall culture? Will the retail chains that have opened their stores in the city through franchisees, make inroads?

Ashwin Sheth, MD, Sheth Developers & Realtors had said, “We are working towards creating an enriching shopping experience for our consumers.”

Analysts maintain big ticket retail entry is just an indication of the emerging luxury quotient of Thane. The fact that the corporate sector is also increasingly making Thane its choice indicates that the demand for luxury housing will only increase in the region. This, in effect, will revitalise the economy of Thane. Luxury projects do have a market in Thane and it is only the initial phase of development. Quality retail and office spaces, added to the fact that the multi-national companies are also entering Thane, indicate that the luxury quotient of the region is set to grow.

Soon, Thane promises to make its presence felt as one of the top luxury destinations of India. It may be the initial phase of luxury launches in the region but if the initial trends are any indication, it seems there is enough appetite for luxury projects in the city. First movers are already smiling their way to the bank.

Source : -magicbricks

Daughter who helped parents in suicide pact stood in stunned silence watching them die, inquest hears

Georgina Roberts tells inquest that she helped her parents David and Elizabeth Arnold to kill themselves at their home in Newbury, Berkshire, out of "compassion and love" 

A GP’s daughter told on Wednesday how she prepared a lethal drug to help her elderly parents commit suicide on “the hardest day of my life”.

David Arnold, 82, a retired doctor left bedridden after a leg amputation, and his wife Elizabeth, 85, a former teacher who had Alzheimer’s Disease, killed themselves at home after watching the Proms on television, an inquest heard.

Their daughter, Georgina Roberts, 59, had bought the fatal medication online, which she gave to her parents with a chocolate to mask the drug’s bitter taste, as well as a whisky for her father and a glass of port for her mother.

Mrs Roberts said they quickly slipped into a deep sleep and she stood watching them in “stunned silence” for 20 minutes.

The couple had previously made a failed attempt to kill themselves, and approached the Dignitas assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland but were turned down because of Mrs Arnold’s dementia, the inquest in Newbury, Berkshire heard.

They “could not face life apart” and had spoken openly to family, friends and even doctors of their plan to end their lives together when they became too ill, the hearing was told.

Giving evidence, Mrs Roberts said her father had insisted that it was up to her mother when they would finally kill themselves.

She added: “My actions were motivated entirely by compassion and love for my mother and father.”
On July 13, 2012 Dr and Mrs Arnold talked on and off for hours about acting out the suicide pact they had entered into five years earlier, the inquest heard

Their daughter recalled: "Mum told me dad had talked to her. He had had enough and so had she. She said she did not want to go on. She was getting worse with her memory and she didn't want to live without dad.

"I knew then that this was going to be the hardest day of my life."
Mrs Roberts said she asked them if they were sure it was the day, and they replied that it was but they wanted to see the Proms first.

She described mixing up the drug and giving it to her parents, adding: “Mum drank it very fast. Dad took his and drank it and I gave them both a chocolate each. Dad then had a whisky and mum had a port, I think.

“They quickly slipped into a deep sleep. I stood there for 20 minutes in stunned silence watching them. It was surreal."

Mrs Roberts later phoned 999 and rang her brothers Stephen and Simon to tell them what had happened.

She initially told police that she was not at her parents’ house in Newbury when they killed themselves, but later corrected her story.

Defending her actions, she said: “I'm a human being who loved my parents very deeply and wanted to help them when they couldn't help themselves.”

Assisting someone to commit suicide is a criminal offence, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided it was not in the public interest to charge Mrs Roberts with any offence.

The Berkshire coroner, Peter Bedford, recorded a narrative verdict, saying: "Mrs Arnold and Dr Arnold had discussed openly and over a period of years their intention to end their lives if they felt their quality of life was deteriorating to a point when it was no longer worth living.

"I fully accept from all the evidence I've heard that Georgina was genuinely motivated by compassion and a genuine desire to carry out her parent's wishes."

Source : telegraph

Four Travel Resolutions You Can Keep

I get it. We see New Year’s as a fresh start and all that. But, really, are those life-changing resolutions such a good idea? Many people say no, and point to the failure rate of such promises–particularly the more pie-in-the-sky ones (say, a resolution to cut out greasy food or to jog more and use social media less).
The tradition of New Year’s resolutions isn’t likely to go away, nor is it new. Babylonians did it, Romans did it, medieval knights did their sword-toasting “peacock vows” of eternal loyalty.
Fortunately for us, travel resolutions are easier to keep–if you’re realistic about them. And though they might not take care of those love handles, they’re sure to make the next year of your life on Earth a lot more enjoyable. 

Here are four I came up with to help get you started:

1. Use your dang vacation days.
This just in (especially directed to you Americans out there): you’re being silly. You have, on average, 14 days of vacation a year (according to the latest “vacation deprivation” study from Expedia), yet only use 10 of them. (French citizens, meanwhile, gets 30 days of vacation a year and more often than not use all of them. Sacre bleu!)
We see these kinds of stats every year–and apparently the number of unused days is rising. Still, at the same time nearly three of five Americans feel “vacation deprived.” So, let 2014 be the year we stop whining and start using the few days we have, even if it’s a random mid-week day off at home to see a part of your hometown you haven’t seen before.
Speaking of which…
2. See something new at home.
No more excuses: If you’ve lived in Dallas for 20 years and have never been to the Sixth Floor Museum, one of the most compelling museums in the U.S., well, you’re going in 2014. (I’ll be watching to make sure.)
Often the things we haven’t done at home rank high as essential things tourists want to do when they come to visit. Join them. Resolve to see that jazz festival, get in your car and take that fall-foliage drive, or go see the annual holiday extravaganza that everyone always talks about. Everyone but you.
Whenever I’m back to visit family and friends in Oklahoma, where I grew up, I make it a goal to see something new. Most recently, I homed in on McGehee’s, a legendary catfish shack overlooking the Red River on the Texas border, and each crisp bite lived up to the hype.
3. Put down the smartphone.
Think you can do it? Try. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Five times a week, sit in a public place, turn off the phone, and see if you can focus on what’s around you. For ten minutes. “Ha, guy’s got ‘conference voice’ on that al fresco business call; poor sap.” “There’s some tourists who don’t know which way to go.” “Hmm, hadn’t noticed that gold top on that building before.” “Trees sure look weird.”

My sketch of a weird tree I came across on a recent trip to Namibia (Photograph by Robert Reid)

Then take this new skill on vacation. Some resorts require you to surrender your cellphone on arrival, but you can do this on your own with enough willpower. I challenge you to spend a full day where you’re fully present and without any connection whatsoever.
To help, I travel with a Moleskine drawing pad and a handful of colored pencils to draw random scenes on trips. Creating works of fine art isn’t the point. Giving myself time to stop, disconnect, and really see something–even a weird tree in Namibia–is.