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The new expressway that is under construction will bring travel time down to just 2½ hours from Delhi. While the frequent getaways to Antara are a welcome break, it is increasingly becoming their primary home.

Initially, the high cost of the dwelling units and monthly maintenance charges led to a small client base. For several years there were relatively few investors and only few residential units were occupied. The COVID pandemic changed all that as families initially took short breaks and then chose to stay for longer durations of two months or more. Word quickly spread on the quality of living and today only a dozen or so are left to be sold and regular occupancy has shot up. Several families shuttle between their homes in Delhi, Mumbai and other places, while most over 70 years and a few over 90 have permanently settled at Antara.

Rakesh values most the company of like-minded people, all of whom have done well in their respective fields. There are retired Ambassadors, Generals, Business honchos and authors among others. There is a great deal of socialising among the community and when Rakesh announces a visit to Antara, he gets invitations for a string of dinner parties in the homes of other residents. Likewise, when he wishes to call others over to his place, he must give them four to five days’ notice. He finds life in Antara exhilarating and his best experience of life so far.

Rakesh spent the early days of his life in Kolkata, reading, playing on the streets and spending time in his own way without any specific parental directions. The biggest gift he received from his parents was complete empowerment and the independence to grow in his own way but with a value system that is an integral part of his family. Antara drew out this free-wheeling spirit and, like many others in the community, he found the energy and inclination to follow his dreams and passions.

To be continued....