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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘I was in jail with RSS leaders… People tried to hear each other out then': Jamaat leader
Fifty years after he was jailed during the Emergency, Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, 82, says he has clear memories of the 19 months he spent in prison. He met his third daughter for the first time at Madras Central Jail, where his wife brought their newborn child just 40 days after her birth. A resident of Tamil Nadu then, Aslam headed the North Arcot district unit of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a socio-religious organisation he had joined when he was 15. Maulana Muhammad Jafar, a member of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind's Central Advisory Council, says the organisation was 'misunderstood' by the Indira Gandhi government, 'which is why its workers were arrested'. While eight Jamaat members were arrested in Tamil Nadu, around 3,000 of its members were imprisoned across India during the Emergency. Sitting at the Jamaat office in Delhi, wearing a crisp white kurta-pyjama, a grey Nehru jacket and a fur cap, Aslam says, 'Once the Emergency was announced, I was put in Madras Central Jail along with other political workers and leaders of the Jamaat, CPI, CPI(M) and DMK. It was a difficult time for my wife, who was nearly eight months pregnant when I was sent to jail. She had had to take care of two young children — a four-year-old and a two-year-old — alone at home. Three months later, I saw my newborn daughter in jail. I can never forget that day. Aslam is the editor-in-chief of Radiance Views Weekly, a 61-year-old magazine supported by the Jamaat. Of the 19 months he spent in jail, Aslam says he was fortunate that his family was very supportive since many others didn't have that liberty and struggled. However, an incident haunts him to this day. 'As I was being taken away by the police to the local station, my eldest daughter Ayesha (then four years old) started running after me. The policeman who arrested me told me later that she was crying.' Born in Karnataka's Hassan district in 1943, Aslam grew up in Bihar's Muzaffarpur after his father shifted there in 1954 to work at a sugar mill. In 1969, Aslam got his master's degree in English literature from L S College in Muzaffarpur. Later, he went on to become a lecturer at C Abdul Hakeem College in Tamil Nadu's Melvisharam. After teaching there for two years, Aslam, then 28, got married and shifted to Tamil Nadu's Vaniyambadi, where his father-in-law had a leather business. Aslam started working with his father-in-law and also became more active within the Jamaat, which, he says, influenced his way of life since he was a teen. During his initial days in jail, Aslam says the political prisoners were sure that they would all be 'released soon'. However, three to four months passed without any signs of their imminent release. 'That's when the fear and anxiety in jail started going up. People started fearing that their incarceration would become permanent. Psychological issues started impacting political prisoners. There was a shift in thinking among the prisoners,' he says. Calling Madras Central jail a 'notorious site of brutality' during the Emergency, he recalls one particular case. 'I was in prison with C Chittibabu, the former Mayor of Chennai. He had sustained injuries during a brutal lathi-charge. At the time of the attack, Chittibabu had been trying to protect a young M K Stalin from an attack inside a prison cell. He would succumb to his injuries later.' Maulana Muhammad Jafar says the Emergency 'proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Jamaat' because its imprisoned office-bearers had the opportunity to interact with people in jails. Jafar adds, 'These very people became leaders and a part of the government later. They came to know the Jamaat much better (during their jail term), and all their doubts and misunderstandings were cleared.' On why the Jamaat workers were arrested during the Emergency, Aslam says, 'We did nothing illegal and our accounts were open to the government. We were working on education, Hindu-Muslim harmony and other social issues.' Aslam says his prison barracks had several RSS workers, including Rangasamy Thevar, then Tamil Nadu chief for the outfit. 'It was a different time. People tried to understand each other's ideology and engage with one another. I remember having long discussions with Thevar,' he says. One statement made by Thevar has stayed with him. He says, 'Thevar said, 'India is such a country that any unscrupulous person can rule India for any period of time'. I liked this quote very much, and I have used it in my writings too.'
TECHx
3 days ago
- Business
- TECHx
Endava Forms Global Advisory Board to Boost AI Strategy
Home » Tech Value Chain » Global Brands » Endava Forms Global Advisory Board to Boost AI Strategy Endava (NYSE: DAVA), a business transformation company, announced the formation of its Global Advisory Board. The move supports its AI-native strategy by bringing together top industry experts to guide its global expansion and technological innovation. The company revealed that this announcement follows 18 months of embedding AI across its operations. During this period, Endava collaborated with clients and partners to drive AI-powered business outcomes. The new advisory board will support Endava's leadership in identifying growth strategies in technology-related sectors. It will also provide insights on global market opportunities and help clients navigate the evolving digital landscape. The board is chaired by Alastair Lukies CBE, with Dame Alison Rose as Co-Chair. It includes experienced leaders from various sectors and regions: Lord Christopher Holmes of Richmond MBE, House of Lords Dr. Orlando Machado, former Chief Data Officer, LEGO Group Adam Banks, former CIO, Maersk John W. Thompson, Venture Partner, Lightspeed Other members include industry experts such as Simon Jones, Stephen C. Daffron, Garry Lyons, Sandi Thompson, Sam Balaji, and David Yates. Endava CEO John Cotterell said the board's insights will help the company better serve clients in a fast-changing technology environment. He stated that Endava has been leading technology-driven business transformation for over two decades and now plays a key role in helping companies become AI-native. Chair Alastair Lukies CBE added that this is a pivotal time for technology-led transformation. He noted the board's commitment to guiding Endava and its clients through this evolving frontier. The announcement reflects Endava's ongoing investment in leadership, innovation, and AI.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
From dream to reality: Fractional real estate emerges go-to strategy for investors with Rs 50 lakh budget
For generations, buying property has been the cornerstone of wealth creation in India. A piece of land or a home was not just an investment but a symbol of security, stability, and financial success. ADVERTISEMENT But in recent years, with the rise of fractional real estate platforms, investors—especially those with limited capital—are rethinking how they allocate money to real estate. The question is especially relevant for those with a Rs 50 lakh investment budget. Is it better to go the traditional route and buy a residential unit, or should one explore the growing world of fractional ownership in commercial real estate? We asked two leading voices in the industry — Manisheel Gautam, Chief Marketing Officer at Alt DRX, and Aditi Watve, President – Investment Sales & REIT Advisory at ANAROCK Group — to break it choosing between traditional and fractional real estate, it's important to identify the purpose of the investment. Is it for personal use or purely to build wealth? ADVERTISEMENT 'Buying real estate is objective-dependent,' says Manisheel Gautam of Alt DRX. 'If your goal is end-use—say, you want to live in the property—then a traditional purchase makes sense. But if your objective is investment and wealth creation, digital real estate becomes a strong diversification tool.'Gautam points out that fractional investing allows people to spread their ₹50 lakh across multiple assets, thereby reducing risk and increasing exposure to income-generating properties—something that's difficult to achieve with a single traditional property. ADVERTISEMENT At first glance, Rs 50 lakh might seem sufficient to buy a property. And it is—but with to Aditi Watve of ANAROCK, investors can consider traditional real estate if they're willing to look at smaller units or properties in Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities. ADVERTISEMENT 'With such a budget, one can certainly invest in real estate directly—especially in smaller towns. Many Indians also take home loans to afford bigger properties, which come with some tax advantages,' she explains. 'However, loans are long-term financial commitments, and often dilute the investment logic when you're purely looking to grow wealth.'Watve argues that while residential real estate carries emotional value, it is no longer the most rewarding asset class in terms of returns. Commercial properties are more lucrative, but typically come with a much higher price tag, putting them out of reach for investors with smaller budgets—unless they go fractional. ADVERTISEMENT Fractional real estate allows investors to own a share in premium, income-generating commercial properties, such as office buildings or warehouses, for below Rs 10 lakh.'With fractional real estate, one can invest in a premium commercial asset for as low as INR 5-10 lakhs. These assets come with professional management and generate passive income—without the hassles of ownership,' Watve says.'Seen purely from an investment perspective and minus the sentimental attachments that buying housing in India typically involves, fractional real estate can be a superior option in this budget,' she modern approach is catching on with both domestic and NRI investors, who see it as a way to get quality exposure to India's real estate boom without large capital outlays or management headaches.'Retail investors in India and NRIs are both participating in the boom,' says Gautam. 'NRIs, in particular, have traditionally seen Indian real estate as a safe haven. In the current global environment, it's a way to build hard assets in a high-growth economy.'The profile of investors putting money into fractional real estate is evolving. According to ANAROCK's Watve, it's no longer just seasoned HNIs.'Today's buyers include HNIs, tech-savvy millennials, and NRIs who want access to properties in key investment hubs like MMR, Bengaluru, NCR, Hyderabad, and Pune,' she says. 'They like fractional ownership because it gives them access to premium properties, with the convenience of digital platforms that handle due diligence, selection, and property management.'Platforms are also making it easier for investors to track performance, receive regular income, and exit when needed—features that were traditionally hard to access in India's real estate estate remains one of the most trusted asset classes in India—but how one invests in it is rapidly a Rs 50 lakh budget, experts agree that fractional ownership offers greater flexibility, diversification, and access to high-quality assets than traditional investing in residential your goal is long-term wealth creation—and not living in the property—fractional investing may well be the smarter, more modern path forward. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Economic Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
$1 bn and counting! Fractional Real Estate booms as NRIs, millennials seek smarter investments
As India's real estate landscape continues to evolve with the rise of digital platforms, the fractional ownership model is gaining significant traction among retail investors, NRIs, and HNIs. ADVERTISEMENT The combination of professional asset management, improved accessibility, and attractive yields is pushing this niche segment into the mainstream. According to Manisheel Gautam, Chief Marketing Officer at Alt DRX, the fractional real estate market in India is currently valued at approximately $1 billion. 'While overall real estate deployment in India stands at around $100 billion annually, the digital real estate segment is still in its infancy. We're seeing a 30–40% year-on-year growth as accessibility for retail investors improves,' he United States, by comparison, is much further along in the journey. 'Top players in the U.S. have deployed over $4 billion each in tokenized and fractional real estate, showing what's possible when the model scales,' Gautam added. ADVERTISEMENT Aditi Watve, President - Investment Sales & REIT Advisory at ANAROCK Group, estimates the Indian fractional real estate market was worth INR 4,000 crore just two years an annual growth rate of 25–30%, she believes it could exceed INR 41,500 crore within the next five years—provided the regulatory environment evolves to support this growth. Globally, the sector is set to reach a staggering market value of USD 4.8 trillion this year, growing at an annual rate of 26%. ADVERTISEMENT Watve pointed out that the demand is primarily being driven by retail investors, HNIs, tech-savvy millennials, and non-resident Indians (NRIs). 'Investors are looking for exposure to premium commercial properties in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Pune. Fractional ownership offers them access to high-value assets without large capital outlays,' she in particular, are finding the model attractive due to India's robust rental yields and the potential for capital appreciation. 'They're increasingly using digital platforms that not only enable seamless investing but also handle property selection, due diligence, and ongoing asset management,' she added. ADVERTISEMENT Geographically, the trend is most prominent in the South and West of India. Gautam noted that 'Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra are leading the way in fractional real estate activity. Tier-1 cities and warehousing hubs in these regions have become the focal points.'The surge in warehousing demand, driven by India's e-commerce boom and infrastructure growth, is also spilling over into the fractional space, creating opportunities for both retail and institutional investors. ADVERTISEMENT With rising awareness, improving digital infrastructure, and evolving investment preferences, India's fractional real estate market is on the cusp of rapid expansion. As Watve summarised, 'With the right regulatory clarity and continued investor interest, this model has the potential to redefine property ownership in India—making it more inclusive, liquid, and technology-driven.' (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
$1 bn and counting! Fractional Real Estate booms as NRIs, millennials seek smarter investments
India's fractional real estate market is rapidly expanding, driven by rising retail, NRI, and HNI participation. Fueled by digital access, attractive yields, and professional management, the segment could grow 10x in five years if regulatory support improves. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Market Poised for Takeoff Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who's Driving the Demand? Hotspots for Fractional Ownership The Way Ahead! Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads As India's real estate landscape continues to evolve with the rise of digital platforms, the fractional ownership model is gaining significant traction among retail investors, NRIs, and combination of professional asset management, improved accessibility, and attractive yields is pushing this niche segment into the to Manisheel Gautam, Chief Marketing Officer at Alt DRX , the fractional real estate market in India is currently valued at approximately $1 billion.'While overall real estate deployment in India stands at around $100 billion annually, the digital real estate segment is still in its infancy. We're seeing a 30–40% year-on-year growth as accessibility for retail investors improves,' he United States, by comparison, is much further along in the journey. 'Top players in the U.S. have deployed over $4 billion each in tokenized and fractional real estate, showing what's possible when the model scales,' Gautam Watve, President - Investment Sales & REIT Advisory at ANAROCK Group, estimates the Indian fractional real estate market was worth INR 4,000 crore just two years an annual growth rate of 25–30%, she believes it could exceed INR 41,500 crore within the next five years—provided the regulatory environment evolves to support this growth. Globally, the sector is set to reach a staggering market value of USD 4.8 trillion this year, growing at an annual rate of 26%.Watve pointed out that the demand is primarily being driven by retail investors, HNIs, tech-savvy millennials, and non-resident Indians (NRIs). 'Investors are looking for exposure to premium commercial properties in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Pune. Fractional ownership offers them access to high-value assets without large capital outlays,' she in particular, are finding the model attractive due to India's robust rental yields and the potential for capital appreciation. 'They're increasingly using digital platforms that not only enable seamless investing but also handle property selection, due diligence, and ongoing asset management,' she the trend is most prominent in the South and West of India. Gautam noted that 'Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra are leading the way in fractional real estate activity. Tier-1 cities and warehousing hubs in these regions have become the focal points.'The surge in warehousing demand, driven by India's e-commerce boom and infrastructure growth, is also spilling over into the fractional space, creating opportunities for both retail and institutional rising awareness, improving digital infrastructure, and evolving investment preferences, India's fractional real estate market is on the cusp of rapid Watve summarised, 'With the right regulatory clarity and continued investor interest, this model has the potential to redefine property ownership in India—making it more inclusive, liquid, and technology-driven.': Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
