Far from the maddening crowd; Antara

The Mals are next gen representatives of a very large swathe of the capital's population-they are children of parents from the Partition-that painful time when families were uprooted and had to establish themselves again from zero. These post-partition parents were unique in a way, and had to work extremely hard, and long. These are people devoid of frippery and are quite literally, rock solid. Values that were passed on exemplified the generation that is now in their 50's and 60's. "PLUS-people like us" says Rohtash.

So, now middle class, what did this gen-next do? They buckled down and worked with extraordinary diligence, for those are the very values and behavior they had lived, absorbed and imbibed. For the Mals, it meant a long, fruitful trek up the academic and then the corporate ladder. Was it exhausting? "Yes, and very rewarding varding too", too", says Rohtash, "But it had its downsides too. I missed seeing my children growing up. It was a bit of 'which city is dad in today'. Even though I'm now past the struggling bit to wean myself away from corporate life, I can never forget how it extracted a heavy price-emotionally and physically. In any case, I'm done with that life". Meanwhile Ritu, an unusually incisive woman, with a remarkable self-awareness aboutther,. agrees with her husband sban on the subject of the city. "We had a habit, a warm relationship called Delhi", says Ritu, "And that relationship more or less broke down a few fe years ago. With its noise, its pollution, its honking traffic jams, politics, superficiality,it's not a place to be dedicating your life to".

Some time ago-in fact eighteen months ago, the Mals on a holiday trip to Dehradun and Mussoorie happened to become aware of Antara Senior Living. Their interest piqued; the couple drove to Purukul, a small hamlet just off the Mussoorie road, where Antara is located. It was, theys say, if not love at first sight then certainly an epiphany. The couple closed discussions soon enough to eventually plan to partly give up the Delhi habit and embrace Antara.

Antara, a part of Max India Ltd, is set in a vast 14 acres buffered by a river on one side andI forests and mountains on the other in the hamlet of Purukul in Dehradun. There's a 50,000 square feet clubhouse, individual apartments that define luxury, easily accessible medical facilities, 24/7 medical help and many lifestyle facilities to deliver a life of grace and dignity. This is holistic living in the truest sense of the word, with opportunities for developing body, mind and wellness, through art & craft activities, in-house seminars, learning photography, cooking or music. There are noted NGOs in the area in whose activities activities residents residents can participate Safety is assiduously maintained with round-the-clock security boosted by CCTV camera installations all over the property.

What can a move for a dynamic couple like the Mals mean? "Our kids are now grownup, and never mind howsoever old they get or we get, or the closeness we share with them, there will always be an age gap between us", says Ritu, "They have their own lives, as they must". The Mals will keep their home in Delhi and divide their time with Antara as well. Both Ritu and Rohtash have many close friends and relatives in the city. They have no intention of quietly riding into the sunset. As mentioned earlier, this is a go-getting, fiercely independent, energetic duo. A rocking chair is anathema to them.

"I am going to do the things I never had time for-now, it's my time" says Ritu firmly. "All our lives we worked hard, created and deserved our own little accomplishments, we created our own mini history. We had very good times in our journey-but we didn't have time to do what we really wanted". Ritu wants to dive deep into setting up a book club, read extensively, extensi pick up more skills, maybe cook (she only does when she has to but is now willing to experiment more). She certainly wants to travel, do pro- bono work, and make new friends. In short, feel fully alive! Rohtash, an expansive, genial soul full of anecdotes, has an easy going sense of achievement about him; he is equally clear about what he will do. "I'll have a small video linked officeе at Antara and work a few hours every day on existing business interests. I would like to write. I used to love dramatics at IIT, and will see if I can set up a theatre society. I will play bridge and snooker and then I'll go to the bar and debate! I have a singer somewhere in me so at that very bar I will embrace that singer and make him sing with new friends, and old ones who will frequently come and visit".

"To us, Antara is a promise", says Ritu, "It's an experience, and one we are really looking forward to, to spend more time with each other and with new friends".