top of page

By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

Funeral for animals

Mumbai: On the occasion of National Animal Rights Day, a funeral was held for all the voiceless creatures that humans have killed for selfish reasons. The act was a campaign and was a brainchild of Animal Climate and Health in collaboration with Our Planet Theirs Too. The purpose was to spread awareness about animal cruelty. The campaign took place at Carter Road Amphitheatre and so a crowd of both young and old supported the cause. Speaking about animal cruelty, recently the internet was...

Funeral for animals

Mumbai: On the occasion of National Animal Rights Day, a funeral was held for all the voiceless creatures that humans have killed for selfish reasons. The act was a campaign and was a brainchild of Animal Climate and Health in collaboration with Our Planet Theirs Too. The purpose was to spread awareness about animal cruelty. The campaign took place at Carter Road Amphitheatre and so a crowd of both young and old supported the cause. Speaking about animal cruelty, recently the internet was flooded with a viral video of a group of men at Mira Road taking a piglet to a locality where goats were brought for religious sacrifice. Aparjita Ashish, the founder and director of Animal Climate and Health said, “It is an act of cruelty to kill animals for religious sacrifice but to protest against this they were harassing a baby pig. The poor pig was screaming for his life. So how’s that right? If you want to protest, protest peacefully.” Ashish also comments on the Apex Judiciary’s decision of euthanising terminally ill dogs, “If the dog has a serious illness like rabies and is in a lot of pain, with a doctor’s permission and in a peaceful manner, they should be euthanised. The apex court also spoke about the ABC or animal birth control which if done with correct procedures, can help bring down issues related to the stray dogs. Many times the process is wrong so the animals become subject to cruelty.” She even added that the strays should not be displaced as that will leave them confused. This is also an act of ill treatment. The occasion saw a large number of gatherers. According to the campaigners, being vegan is not just for protecting animals but also for the climate. Ashish explained, “If you see the name of our NGO, it is Animal Climate and Health. So we also talk about the impact of consuming animal products on the environment.” She gives an example of how methane gas is produced because of the dairy animals and how the food and resources to breed animals are so much that it affects the environment. The supporters who participated in the campaign said they also noticed many health benefits of going vegan. Anil Nagpal, a senior citizen and volunteer with the organisation said, “For many years I was going through ill health. I tried every treatment but nothing really helped much. But then someone convinced me to go vegan and since that time my health has improved drastically. After this many people in my circles who used to eat animal products have given up.” When asked what his protein sources are, he said, “I eat lentils and legumes. Vegetables also contain protein.” Ashish claimed that humans have an ego that makes them think they are above animals.

Indian Property Market: Will NRIs See Opportunity in a Slowdown?

The same market correction may create caution for resident buyers and opportunity for NRIs with a stronger currency advantage.

Imagine Bharath, an Indian salaried employee, planning to buy a plot of land worth Rs 50 lakh as a long-term investment. He has been saving money for several years and intends to take a loan for the remaining amount. At the same time, Sandeep, an NRI working in the United States and earning in dollars, is also considering investing in Indian real estate. Now suppose the market witnesses a temporary correction or decline in prices. Bharath and Sandeep may view the same situation differently. Bharath may become cautious due to affordability and loan burden, while Sandeep may see it as an opportunity to acquire quality assets at lower prices.


This situation highlights an important question: if the real estate market crashes, will NRIs invest more, and what does the present market indicate?


Real estate has traditionally been considered one of the preferred long-term investment avenues in India. Unlike short-term market instruments, property investments are generally viewed as wealth-creation assets with appreciation potential over time. However, investment decisions in real estate are highly influenced by economic conditions, interest rates, employment growth, infrastructure development, and market sentiment.


Currency Advantage

NRIs often enjoy an additional advantage because they earn in foreign currencies such as US dollars, euros, or UAE dirhams. If the Indian rupee weakens against these currencies, the same amount of foreign income converts into more Indian rupees, increasing purchasing power. Therefore, if the market experiences a temporary decline in property prices, many NRIs may consider it an attractive investment opportunity.


For example, if Sandeep has savings of USD 100,000 and the exchange rate becomes more favourable, the converted amount in India increases. If property prices simultaneously reduce because of market correction, Sandeep may purchase better assets or invest in premium locations. Long-term investors generally follow the principle of buying quality assets during periods of weakness and holding them for future appreciation.


Beyond Pricing

However, from a chartered accountant's perspective, a market crash should not automatically be viewed as an opportunity guaranteeing high returns. Property values depend on multiple factors, including demand and supply, infrastructure growth, legal transparency, and economic performance. A decline in prices may occur because of reduced demand, increased borrowing costs, or uncertainty in the economy. Therefore, investment decisions should not be based purely on lower prices.


Market Outlook

The present Indian real estate market appears relatively stable despite global economic uncertainties. Demand for residential properties and premium housing continues to remain positive, supported by urbanisation, infrastructure projects, and changing lifestyle preferences.


From a chartered accountant's perspective, real estate should be treated as a long-term financial decision rather than a short-term speculation opportunity. While a market correction may attract NRI investments due to currency advantages and future return expectations, factors such as location, financial capacity, risk analysis, and future growth potential should be considered before making investment decisions.


Therefore, current market conditions suggest that while opportunities exist, informed financial planning remains more important than emotional investment decisions. Economic fluctuations may create temporary uncertainty, but disciplined and well-evaluated investments often generate sustainable long-term value.


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant based in Thane. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page