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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rs 80,000 EMI or Rs 35,000 rent? One Reddit post has everyone rethinking their life and financial choices
Internet debates What does financial analyst say? It's the kind of question that can split a dinner table right down the middle — is it smarter to buy a house with a hefty loan or rent and invest the difference? A viral Reddit post has sparked a heated discussion, with people weighing in with personal stories, hard numbers, and strong opinions on what makes the most financial sense in today's debate kicked off when a Reddit user urged people not to take a loan for buying a flat, suggesting they rent instead. According to him, any semi-decent flat in a tier 1 city costs at least Rs 1.5 crore. Even with a 20% down payment of Rs 30 lakh, the loan amount would still be Rs 1.2 crore. At current home loan rates of about 7.5% per annum, he calculated an EMI of Rs 80,000 per month — stretching all the way to retirement. He argued that the total interest paid would equal the value of the flat, meaning you're effectively a tenant to the bank until the loan is cleared. 'You're not the owner. You'll be kicked out if you lose your job and miss your EMI payments,' he wrote, adding that flats depreciate over time and aren't the great inheritance many believe them to be. In contrast, the same property could be rented for Rs 30,000–Rs 35,000 a month, leaving room to save and invest the post set off a flurry of responses. One user agreed that owning a flat in the current unstable environment sounded risky, noting that two decades ago it would have been a no-brainer. Another pushed back, saying a Rs 1.5 crore flat fetching only Rs 35,000 in rent was unrealistic in most job-rich cities, and that home ownership is about more than numbers. They argued that many finance influencers advising against buying come from secure family backgrounds — for someone with little to no inheritance, owning a home could be a top highlighted the practical benefits of ownership. One pointed out that as long as you pay your EMIs, a bank can't evict you — unlike a landlord, who can ask you to vacate with notice, even on a whim. They noted that homeowners can legally rent out their property, make structural changes, and participate in housing society decisions — rights that most tenants lack. They also mentioned that EMIs tend to be influenced by repo rates, while rents can be some users maintained that buying only makes sense if the flat is well within your means. 'Never buy a flat which takes almost your full or even 75% of your take-home salary,' one warned. Their advice: buy a cheaper flat in a lower locality, or even in a tier 3 city, just to ensure you always have a home to fall back Hardik Joshi, a Hyderabad-based financial analyst, had shared in a LinkedIn post that buying suits for those with stable jobs and deep roots, while renting benefits those seeking mobility, financial growth, and global. He weighed in on the rent vs buy debate, noting that purchasing a home in metros like Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, or Hyderabad demands a heavy financial commitment. A 2BHK in a prime area can cost Rs 1.5 crore, with a Rs 30 lakh down payment and a Rs 1.2 crore loan at 9% interest, leading to repayments exceeding Rs 2.5 crore over 20 years. Beyond the cost, buying limits mobility, making it harder to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. Homeowners also bear ongoing expenses like maintenance, property taxes, and face market risks that could affect resale value, making ownership as much a lifestyle choice as a financial one.
India Today
03-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
India's income inequality now worse than British era, says financial analyst
India's rich and poor divide is getting deeper than ever. Hardik Joshi, a financial analyst, says it's even worse now than during British colonial times. Joshi, an economic analyst, shared strong words about this rising inequality and called for urgent action to fix the India today, discussions about income inequality have become increasingly wrote on LinkedIn, "Income inequality in India is now worse than it was under British colonial rule. Let's see some data... The top 1% hold 40.1% of India's wealth. The bottom 50% own just 6.4%. The top 10% earn over 57.7% of national income."advertisement"Half the country owns barely 6.4% of the wealth. Meanwhile, a tiny elite controls 40.1%," he added. This stark division indicates that nearly half of the population is struggling with minimal resources, in contrast to a small elite that enjoys significant wealth. Joshi notes, "These numbers aren't abstract. They mean half the country is fighting for crumbs while a tiny fraction lives in unimaginable luxury." This raises the question of why such inequality persists in a nation that produces ample blames the way the system is designed, claiming it protects those already at the top. "Because the system is designed to protect wealth at the top," Joshi explained. "Tax policies that favour the rich. Weak labour protections. Corporate consolidation that crushes small businesses. Real estate and stock market gains that mostly help those who already have capital. Political donations and lobbying that ensure reforms never threaten the wealthy."Many wonder why nothing changes. Joshi believes the powerful benefit from this gap and make sure it stays this way. 'Inequality doesn't hurt those with power — it helps them,' he pointed out that the wealthy fund elections, shape media narratives, and lobby against redistribution efforts that could threaten their wealth. Joshi points out that the wealthy have succeeded in framing assistance to the poor as mere "handouts," while they themselves benefit from subsidies and tax breaks. This manipulation of public perception helps maintain the status quo, with little pressure to address the root causes of analysis suggests that until there is genuine political will to implement reforms such as taxing wealth appropriately and investing in social services, the situation is unlikely to analyst says that unless there is real effort to tax wealth properly, protect workers, invest in healthcare and education for all, and break up big corporate monopolies, the divide will keep growing.'It's time we stopped pretending this is inevitable. It's time to ask whose interests the system really serves,' Joshi urged. As India continues to grow, the big question remains: Will this growth benefit everyone or just a lucky few?- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
1% hold 40% wealth: Financial analyst says income gap in India now worse than under British rule
India's top 1% now control 40.1% of the country's total wealth — more than what colonial elites held during British rule — while the bottom 50% of the population hold just 6.4%, according to a recent analysis by research analyst Hardik Joshi. He based his findings on data from the World Inequality Database. Comparing present-day inequality to colonial India Joshi drew comparisons between present-day inequality and the British colonial period, arguing that economic disparity has widened to levels not seen even under foreign rule. 'This is not an accident. It's policy,' he wrote in a LinkedIn post. 'Half the country is fighting for crumbs while a tiny fraction lives in unimaginable luxury.' Top 10% earn most of national income The analysis highlights that the top 10% of Indians earn 57.7% of the national income, leaving the bottom half with a much smaller share. Joshi attributed this to several factors including favorable tax laws for the wealthy, weak labor protections, and growing corporate consolidation. 'Real estate and stock market gains mostly help those who already have capital,' he said. Power and wealth remain concentrated Joshi claimed that the existing system reinforces inequality rather than correcting it. 'Inequality doesn't hurt those with power — it helps them,' he wrote. 'They fund elections. They shape the media narrative. They lobby against redistribution.' Although India's economy has been expanding, Joshi said the growth is not inclusive. He pointed out that the challenge is not the amount of wealth India generates but how it is distributed. 'We produce enough wealth. We just don't share it fairly.' Live Events Calls for urgent reforms To address the issue, Joshi urged the government to consider wealth taxes, stronger labor protections, and greater investment in healthcare and education. 'Until there's real political will,' he warned, 'this will keep getting worse.' Concluding his remarks, Joshi questioned the idea that inequality is a natural outcome. 'The system isn't broken — it's rigged,' he wrote. 'It's time we stopped pretending this is inevitable. It's time to ask whose interests the system really serves.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Where fresher-techies and students will stay in Bengaluru amid PG crisis, asks analyst? He gives two reasons why they are shutting down
Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, once hailed as the gateway to every aspiring techie's dreams, is quietly witnessing a housing meltdown, one that threatens the very foundation that fuels its migrant workforce. Paying Guest (PG) accommodations, long criticised for being cramped and overpriced, are now vanishing at an alarming rate. What was once dismissed as a minor real estate shift has now become a full-blown crisis, and it's not just about IT layoffs anymore. It's about survival, shelter, and the future of first-generation professionals chasing the Bengaluru dream. In a recent LinkedIn post, investment analyst Hardik Joshi drew attention to the hidden scale of the issue. According to him, PG operators across tech hubs like Mahadevapura and Marathahalli are shutting shop—two PGs are closing every single day. He added that in Mahadevapura alone, over 100 PGs have already been sealed. The immediate triggers? A combination of mass layoffs in the IT sector and strict new compliance regulations was introduced by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). 25% revenue loss PGs, which once thrived on a steady inflow of students, fresh graduates, and entry-level tech workers, are now reporting revenue losses of up to 25%. Many of these accommodations operate on razor-thin margins and cannot afford the cost of compliance or sustain empty beds caused by tenant exits post-layoffs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vinh Phuc: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo The new BBMP norms, framed under Section 305 of the BBMP Act, 2020, have made things even harder. PGs built on roads less than 40 feet wide are being shut down. Those without trade licenses are being sealed. Perhaps most jarring is the fact that out of the thousands of PGs operating in Bengaluru, only around 2,500 are officially registered. New compliance rules by BBMP Some of the new compliance rules include mandatory CCTV cameras at all entry and exit points, a minimum of 70 square feet of living space per resident, and 135 litres of clean water per person per day. PGs that serve meals must also now obtain an FSSAI food safety license within three months of getting a trade license. Joshi's post frames the issue as more than a real estate correction—he calls it a disappearing ladder. He likened PGs to chicken coops, which were the stepping stone for students and freshers arriving in a new city with big dreams. With this affordable housing option vanishing, the city's accessibility is also eroding. He questions whether Bengaluru can continue to be India's startup and tech capital if the very infrastructure supporting its workforce is dismantled.
India Today
10-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Bengaluru's PG crisis: What's behind the mass shutdowns?
Bengaluru is facing a wave of paying guest (PG) accommodation closures, with shutdowns accelerating across the city's tech corridors. Driven by a combination of stringent new civic rules and reduced demand from laid-off tech workers, the city's once-booming PG sector is under severe stress.'In areas like Mahadevapura and Marathahalli, PGs are losing up to 25% revenue. Two PGs are shutting down every day,' said investment analyst Hardik Joshi, who investigated the issue after noticing a spike in social media chatter. 'Turns out, this is a quiet crisis affecting thousands,' he wrote in a widely read LinkedIn crackdown follows a series of regulations introduced by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) under Section 305 of the BBMP Act, 2020, last operators are now required to obtain trade licences, adhere to hygiene and fire safety standards, and provide at least 70 square feet of living space per resident. It is worth mentioning that PGs located on roads narrower than 40 feet are no longer permitted to than 100 PG kitchens were sealed in April in the Mahadevapura zone alone for violations related to town planning and licensing. Civic officials say these actions are part of a broader enforcement to the pressure, operators are now required to install CCTV cameras covering all common areas, ensure daily water supply of at least 135 litres per resident, and obtain food safety licenses if they serve meals. These requirements have driven up operational costs in a business already operating on thin Seo, secretary of the Bengaluru PG Owners' Association, told Hindustan Times that out of over 12,000 PGs in the city, only 2,500 are officially registered. 'Over 10,000 are still operating illegally without proper approvals,' she said. 'This is causing concern for investors, as BBMP can conduct raids on non-compliant properties at any time.'Once a high-yield sector offering returns as high as 6–8%, PG investments are now becoming unviable. 'Electricity is charged at commercial rates, and there are additional commercial taxes,' Seo said. 'The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has increased water charges, which are adding to the expenses. Many PG owners are now running at a loss because they can't pass on the additional costs to tenants.'The situation is a paradox for a city built on the aspirations of migrant tech workers and students. PGs, often mocked as 'chicken coops,' were essential stepping stones for thousands moving to Bengaluru. With that ladder now vanishing, questions are rising about whether the city is pricing out the very people who power its growth. advertisement
