Atmanirbhar Vastu Vyavasthapan
Atmanirbhata or self-reliance, is not a mantra of the new age. The Ashram philosophy coupled with Ayurved – a lifestyle of Indian origin is centuries old and speaks about a contented livelihood. Purush Dharmais associated with a balanced wellbeing of a person, which is divided into four Ashramas. The Purush Dharma propagates malkiyat (ownership) as against bhadapatti (rent) as Shreshtha Dharma for a Purush. A residential accommodation (preferably ownership) is a necessity of a human being thus applicable for all the Ashramas. An atmanibhar Purush is expected to live in 3 different self-owned houses. The sizes and locations will keep changing depending on the requirement at a particular age. The locations will shift from place of Education to place of employment in the Brahmacharya Ashram. The requirement will be minimum, affordable and as well connected to work place. The accommodation requirement for a Grahasth Ashram will be for a family, sizeable and suitably located. The accommodation for Vanprasht Ashram will be barest minimum, around natural surroundings, beyond City limits. Sanyas Ashram: Life beyond first three Ashrams, the 4thSanyas Ashram is not being considered here as it is almost non-existent in the modern period.
Post pandemic period will be noted as a new age, just like BC and AD, as new living guidelines will and have come into force, like working from home. Minor changes have been incorporated in the age groups of ancient times Ashrams, to accommodate present living life style as marriageable age which used to be anything from 14 years to 21 in ancient times is now 25 plus.
1) Brahmacharya Ashram(studentship and bachelorship present day Millennial) – The first life span(21 to 35 years): A bachelor or newly married or with a young child, is considered for following type of accommodation. It is expected that the first Makkan purchase will be between the age of 25 to 30. Average Investment for a millennial would be about 4 to 5 years of his projected salaries (both spouses total salary), the Investment could be through EMI for about 10 years + 25% borrowing, for down payment, probably from parents.
Studio Apartment: An affordable studio apartment, part of Gated Community, well connected to work place would be an appropriate choice..
2) Grahasth Ashram(Married life upto virtual retirement)the Second life span 35 to 55 years. For Grahasth Ashram the following type of accommodation is being suggested. It is expected that the second purchase will be between the age of 35 to 40 years. The down payment amount of the second Makkan can be made from the sale of Makkan bought in the first lifecycle span + savings from the increased salaries of the last 5 to 10 years (the millennial life span) and balance paid through EMI’s, over a 15 year period.
Apartment: A two, maximum three bedroom apartments would be the first preference as more and more families are becoming nucleus. It could be located between 3 to 6 km radius for preferable bicycle ride, Metro ride with walking distance or City Bus Service, price, affordable.
City House: As a second preference in City Areas. Every Indian likes to buy a plot and build a house. But the land values are high and very little land remains available for outdoor activities such as Gardening. The Economics for “Apartment” will only hold good for this type of life span.
3) Vanprasht Ashram: Retired life, the Third life span for the modern man is being considered between 55 years to 80 years. For a Vanprasht Ashram the following types of accommodation shall be suitable, which will the third Makkan purchase, is expected to take place between the age 55 to 65 years. The sale of the second Makkan will bring in enough money, calculating escalation for 15 to 20 year period also, out of which 35 to 45% will be used for the purchase of the third Makkan, the family size would have shrunk by then and needs also changed, the balance amount could be invested in secured securities etc. to be used over the balance life span.
Farm House: As a first preference in areas near to village/ forest, preferably 15 to 20 km. away from City boundaries and about ½ to 1 km. away from State / National Highways. Because of the closeness to the city, the retired people will have the option to visit the City whenever required. They can also nurture hobbies of Agriculture, Gardening, and Live-stock etc.
Town House: It could be a double storied house located on the City outskirts of Town, 10 to 15 km from City Centre or CBD. This type of accommodation may not be suitable for those who want to enjoy living with nature. But nearness to Dispensaries, Clinics and Daily Needs may force the buyer to opt for it considering the lower cost benefits.
Studio Apartment – A lot many people may prefer going back to a luxurious studio apartment, with better facilities and amenities, as the final domain.
High End Retirement Homes – Many ultra-modern residential retirement homes have also sprung up in many parts of the country, which encourage community living for the senior citizens, who can afford it.
The present new concept of work from home and better transportation connectivity will dismantle the weightage given to location in earlier times. Everybody desires to live a peaceful life after retirement and remain self-reliant. The rapid internet and digitization has reduced number of visits to various places to bear minimum. The healthy lifestyle can also keep deceases at bay. The pandemic instructions of social distancing and hygiene will be a part of lifestyle even when the controls are lifted in future. Builders will be unable to sell big urban properties for residences or office accommodation. The divide between urban and rural segments is inevitable. Not only State Governments but also the urbanites will adopt these segments with the result that rural and outskirts development will take precedence over the urban development. The new dynamics of living will change to smaller places with better amenities and facilities. The Makkan no. 1 and Makkan no. 3 will be of very similar size. The shift of major realty business from urban areas to towns and rural areas is unavoidable. Thus the entire paradigm shift will emerge as a trend setter and well devised purchase and sale cycles will generate self-help and self-finance as suggested above.
The Atmanirbhar Vastu Vyavasthapan(Self-Reliant Estate Management) is to provide new vistas to the estate broker and his clients from builder community and buyer community. A reliable and friendly Estate Brokerage firm acting like a family doctor, can advise in shifting investments from time to time. The modern day brokerage firm should be not only be able satisfy the needs of the client relating to sale purchase of property, but also be able to advice in taxation matters and help in property management. They should be like a catalytic agent.
Planning one’s life according to the suggestions in this article, keeping in mind the Ancient Indian Philosophy of self-reliance would make every Indian Atmanirbhar. Considering the present scenario it is further recommended, that as and when convenient, an additional property is invested in, probably in the second life span, which provides rental income, for complete Atmanirbharta.
