No one willingly enters choppy seas, at least not the average seafarer. The real estate industry is like that average person who likes calm waters but has been forced to navigate through rough weather for a few years owing to policy missteps, a slowing economy and broader inimical factors globally.
Help has been forthcoming in fits and starts, but it took a pandemic to get the right kind of attention. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken it upon itself to steer the real estate ship—its hull damaged beyond repair—towards calm waters. It relaxed rules on risk weightage for new housing loans by linking them to the Loan-To-Value (LTV) ratio alone. It waived the ticket size rule, which allows banks and financial institutions to extend bigger loans at a risk weight of 35 per cent, down from the previous 50 per cent. That should galvanize the sector, which has so far seen only measures to spur demand in the affordable housing segment.
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In Cold Storage?
Logistics stocks zoomed due to news about COVID-19 vaccines. But adverse political and financial factors may reverse the trend
Don't Back These Buys
Buybacks help you to save taxes and earn premiums over market prices. But if you participate in them, they can eliminate the possibilities of higher profits later
One Size Doesn't Fit All
The new standard term insurance plan is easy to understand, and perfect for first-time buyers and low-income individuals. But the sum assured is low, and it is a pure-risk plan
Greater Expectations
FM has to decide whether to feel optimistic or pessimistic about the future. Either way, she has to focus on reforms and growth
Education redefined
Multi-skilling is the new trend in globalised PhyGital learning
2021: Year Of Small-Caps?
Smaller stocks may outperform the others this year. The rise can be 30 percent more than in headline indices
The Cryptic Crypto-World
Digital currency is the new asset category. But risks are high due to volatility, lack of
Common Man's Wishlist
FM needs to hike deductions under 80D, and lower capital gains tax
SENSEX-30 OR BSE-500
The rally, which was hitherto restricted to large-caps, has begun to spread to mid-caps and small-caps. But volatility will continue and this will not be a completely secular boom
Money Spinning Mid Caps?
With stringent regulatory compliances, large companies are likely to grow and smaller ones may get wiped out, but mid-sized ones to offer much hope, says Dhiraj Relli, Managing Directors, HDFC Securities, during an interview with Yagnesh Kansara and Debjoy Sengupta. Edited excerpts.
YOGA & PEACE
DEEPAK CHOPRA speaks with DAAJI about the role Yoga has to play in bringing about world peace. This is an excerpt from their conversation broadcast on International Day of Peace, September 21, 2020. That documentary is available at https://heartfulness.org/en/international-day-of-peace/.
Create the habit of meditation
CHIRAG KULKARNI, Co-Founder and CMO of Medly Pharmacies in the USA, speaks with RISHIKA SHARMA about creating a regular meditation practice, so as to make it a habit. He also shares how meditation has benefited both his personal and professional life.
SHIA'S PRIVATE TEMPLE OF DOOM!
Indiana Jones gig derailed by abuse scandal
Let's Dish
"Food Raconteur” Ashok Nageshwaran wants to tell you a story.
THE MAKING OF A MODEL MINORITY
Indian Americans rarely stop to ask why our entrance into American society has been so rapid—or to consider what we have in common with other nonwhite Americans.
Interconnectedness
In 2017, DR. VANDANA SHIVA spoke with KIM HUGHES about the sacredness of the Earth, the work she has been doing to bring awareness and change in the field of sustainable agriculture, and the importance of understanding our interconnectedness with Nature, and how we can change the way we eat.
DIAMONDS - A Luxury Gem Steeped in Fact & Fable
The diamond is one fabled gemstone! For example, google “Hope Diamond” to see all the legends associated with just this one stone said to bring misfortune to its owners.
Women's World
Brown Sugaa and Medusa
Women's World
Brown Sugaa and Medusa
CHINA DEMANDS INDIA RESCIND APP BAN AMID BORDER TENSION
China on Wednesday demanded India rescind a ban on more Chinese mobile phone apps amid tension between Beijing and other governments over technology and security.