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By:

Asha Tripathi

14 April 2025 at 1:35:28 pm

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along...

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along with growth has come another silent challenge — the tendency to constantly observe, compare, and sometimes even compete with the journeys of others. But a crucial question arises: Is it necessary to track the growth of others in order to grow ourselves? From my personal experience of more than two decades as an entrepreneur, I have realised something very powerful — true growth begins the moment we stop looking sideways and start looking within. A Small Beginning I had a flourishing career of teaching abroad, but when I restarted my career after moving back to India, my beginning was extremely small. My very first assignment was a simple home tuition for a single student, and the amount I earned was meagre. There was nothing glamorous about it. No recognition, no large batches, no big earnings. Just one student and one opportunity. But instead of worrying about how others were doing, how many students they had, or how much they were earning, I made a conscious decision—my only focus would be on improving myself. I focused on teaching better, preparing better, and becoming more disciplined and consistent. And slowly, without even realising it, things began to grow. One student became two, two became a small group, and gradually, over the years, the work expanded beyond what I had initially imagined. Looking back today, I can confidently say that the growth did not happen because I competed with others. It happened because I competed with myself yesterday. Comparison Creates Noise When we keep watching others' journeys too closely, we unknowingly divert our own energy. Comparison creates unnecessary noise in our minds. It brings doubts, insecurities, and sometimes even negativity. Instead of walking our own path with clarity, we start questioning our speed, our direction, and our worth. True success grows through focus, not comparison. Every woman has her own story, her own pace, and her own struggles that others may never see. The path of one person can never be identical to another's. So comparing journeys is like comparing two different rivers flowing towards the same ocean — each with its own route, its own curves, and its own rhythm. As women, we already carry many responsibilities. We balance emotions, relationships, work, and society's expectations. In such a life, the last thing we need is the burden of comparison with one another. Instead, what we truly need is support for each other. When women encourage women, something extraordinary happens. Confidence grows. Opportunities multiply. Strength becomes collective rather than individual. There is enough space in the world for every woman to create her own identity. Each of us can build our own niche without stepping on someone else's path. Choose Encouragement Envy weakens us, but encouragement empowers us. Rather than questioning how someone else is progressing, we can ask a more meaningful question: "How can I grow a little better than I was yesterday?" Lift As You Rise Today, after twenty years of experience, the most valuable lesson I have learned is simple yet profound — focus on your own work with honesty and dedication, and success will quietly follow you. We, women, are capable, resilient, and creative. We do not need to pull each other down or compete in unhealthy ways. Instead, we can lift each other up while building our own dreams. Because when one woman rises, she does not rise alone. She inspires many others to believe that they can rise, too. And perhaps that is the most beautiful form of success. (The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25 pc

RBI policy stability boosts real estate sentiment

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% has been widely welcomed by stakeholders across the real estate sector, who view the move as a stabilising factor at a time when India’s growth outlook has strengthened following the Union Budget’s emphasis on infrastructure spending and improving external trade prospects. Industry leaders believe that policy continuity will help sustain housing demand, reinforce investment sentiment and provide greater visibility on borrowing costs, even as inflationary pressures remain under close watch.


The central bank’s steady stance comes against the backdrop of accelerating infrastructure-led development and expectations of stronger economic growth. Developers and consultants said the unchanged rate environment is likely to support project execution, maintain consumer confidence and enhance predictability in financing decisions across residential and commercial segments.


Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, “The RBI’s decision to hold rates steady, reflects a cautious and stability focused stance in a volatile global environment. As the economic growth outlook remains stable and maintain momentum, we can expect this overall growth to have a positive impact on the real estate sector. The pause underscores the central bank’s priority on managing currency pressures and external risks.”


He added that while further rate cuts could have provided an additional boost to homebuyer sentiment, particularly in affordable housing, banks are expected to pass on more of the existing rate benefits to consumers. He also welcomed the easing of lending norms for REITs, stating, “RBI’s decision to permit bank lending to REITs is a welcome step for the sector’s evolving funding ecosystem… The move reinforces regulatory confidence in listed real estate vehicles and should strengthen liquidity and depth in India’s real estate investment market.”


Echoing similar sentiments, Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, said, “The RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% provides much-needed stability to the real estate sector at a time when growth expectations have strengthened following the Union Budget’s thrust on higher government spending and improving external trade prospects after recent trade agreements.” He added that policy continuity would help sustain housing demand and enable developers to plan investments with greater confidence.


Kaushal Agarwal, Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory, said, “The RBI’s status quo on interest rates comes at an opportune time, as the Union Budget’s increased government spending and improving trade outlook have lifted expectations of faster economic growth.” According to him, stable interest rates will play a crucial role in sustaining homebuyer sentiment and investment activity, reinforcing real estate’s appeal as a long-term asset class.


Kamlesh Thakur, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Srishti Group, noted, “The RBI’s decision to maintain status quo on interest rates reflects a well-calibrated approach to balancing inflation control with economic momentum.” He added that stable financing costs and an improved GDP outlook are encouraging for urban housing demand, particularly in infrastructure-driven corridors.


Shilpin Tater, Managing Director, Superb Realty, said, “The RBI’s neutral stance and steady repo rate of 5.25% reinforce confidence across the real estate ecosystem,” adding that continued government-led capital expenditure is expected to keep demand for quality commercial and residential assets resilient.


Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers, said, “The decision to maintain status quo on policy rates is reassuring for both homebuyers and developers,” noting that stable borrowing costs and an improved growth outlook would help sustain residential demand, particularly in metropolitan markets.


Dhruman Shah, Promoter, Ariha Group, observed, “The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% reflects confidence in the Indian economy’s underlying strength and a pragmatic approach to sustaining growth,” highlighting sustained buyer confidence and healthy sales momentum in urban markets.


Nihar Jayesh Thakkar, Founder, The Mandate House Pvt. Ltd., added, “The RBI’s steady policy stance underscores a careful calibration between growth support and inflation management,” stating that improved macro visibility and infrastructure spending are likely to boost commercial and investment-driven real estate transactions over the medium term.


Industry stakeholders believe that while inflation risks remain a key monitorable factor for policymakers, the current policy continuity provides a stable platform for sustained growth in India’s real estate sector, supported by infrastructure expansion, fiscal stimulus and improving economic fundamentals.


“RBI’s decision to permit bank lending to REITs is a welcome step for the sector’s evolving funding ecosystem. Indian REITs, with approximately USD 27 bn of AUM across office and retail segments, have historically relied on capital market issuances and sponsor-backed financing, and access to bank credit will serve as an additional funding avenue that diversifies the liability stack and enhances refinancing flexibility. The move reinforces regulatory confidence in listed real estate vehicles and should strengthen liquidity and depth in India’s real estate investment market.”

Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India


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