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| Good News on Two Fronts: |
| A New Handbook and Matching Support |
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| Dear Moneylifers, |
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| It has been a particularly satisfying month for us at Moneylife Foundation, and I wanted to share two pieces of news with you right at the outset. |
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 First, we had a very successful launch of our Practical Handbook for Housing Societies. The response at the event, and all your emails, have only reinforced what we have long known: there is a deep need for clear, practical guidance on the everyday issues that members of housing societies face every day. |
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| Second, we are delighted that some of our long-time supporters have come forward with a donation-matching offer. For a limited period, contributions up to ₹5,000 per donor will be matched—effectively doubling the value of your support. It is heartening to see this kind of quiet encouragement for the work we do. |
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| Accessing the Handbook |
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| We are now making an electronic version of the handbook available to all members of Moneylife Foundation. You can access and download it here: after logging into your account. |
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| If you are not yet registered, you can sign up as a free member here: https://www.mlfoundation.in/register.html |
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| For those based in Mumbai who prefer a physical copy, a limited number are available. Please call our office to check availability and collect a copy. One printed copy will be provided free of cost (subject to availability); additional copies can be obtained at a nominal printing cost of ₹100. |
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| This handbook draws on years of helpline queries, counselling sessions and our weekly column on housing society issues. It addresses recurring concerns—elections, governance, maintenance disputes, redevelopment, conveyance, accounting transparency and member rights—with a focus on practical clarity rather than theory. |
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| Our effort has been to create a ready reference that explains what the law requires, highlights common mistakes and offers workable steps to improve transparency and reduce conflict. |
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| An Opportunity to Support Our Work — With Matching Contributions |
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 As mentioned earlier, contributions made over the next six weeks will be matched up to ₹5,000 per donor.
This means: - A contribution of ₹5,000 becomes ₹10,000
- A contribution of ₹3,000 becomes ₹6,000
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| Higher contributions are, of course, welcome; the matching will apply up to ₹5,000. |
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| If you would like to contribute, you can do so here: https://www.mlfoundation.in/donate.html |
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| Your support sustains our helplines, counselling, publications like this handbook and our broader advocacy work. It allows us to continue offering independent, practical guidance to those who need it—often at moments of real distress. |
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| Past Programmes |
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| The handbook was formally launched at a well-attended programme with over 80 participants including managing committee members, residents and concerned citizens. |
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| Debashis Basu, our founding trustee, spoke about the Foundation's work, followed by a detailed presentation by Akshay Naik, Director Projects, who led the compilation of the handbook. Realty experts Shirish Shanbhag, Mohammed Afzal and A V Shenoy added valuable insights from their extensive engagement with housing society issues. Moneylife's deputy editor Yogesh Sapkale coordinated the open discussion. |
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| One theme stood out clearly: most disputes arise not because laws are unclear, but because processes are not followed and governance practices are weak. Issues such as confusion between nominees and legal heirs, lack of transparency and redevelopment complexities continue to surface repeatedly. |
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| A key theme that emerged was that most housing society disputes arise not because the law is unclear, but because processes are not followed and governance practices are weak. Speakers highlighted recurring issues such as confusion between nominees and legal heirs, maintenance and parking disputes, lack of transparency and the complexities involved in redevelopment. |
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| For those who could not attend, you can read our detailed coverage here: Most Housing Society Disputes Are Avoidable: Moneylife Foundation Launches CHS Practical Handbook A video recording of the full session is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n5Au0XkVAY |
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| Stay Connected – Join Our WhatsApp Channel! |
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| We’ve launched an official WhatsApp Channel to share updates on our events, seminars, workshops, counselling sessions and any other general updates directly with you. |
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| Join here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBWAyKGpLHIIk6yYa3t |
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| If you don’t see updates right away, please note that notifications are turned off by default. Just tap the bell icon in the channel to turn them on — that way, you won’t miss any important announcements. You can also continue to follow our Telegram channel for updates: https://telegram.me/moneylife_foundation |
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| Check our Free Helplines and Guides or Templates as well as our YouTube Channel, where you will find a wide repository of videos on various topics. |
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| Video recordings of all our webinars are available on our YouTube channel and will come to your inbox regularly if you hit the subscribe button. But if you want to be notified about future events through our mailing list, you do need to be a member. |
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| Moneylife TV & Helplines |
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| Financial Literacy Videos in Indian Languages: |
- Credit cards
- Online frauds
- Fallacy of gold loans and more in Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Tamil, all on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/moneylifetv).
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| Get guidance and counselling through our Legal Helpline or Credit Helpline. |
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| Sucheta Dalal |
| Founder-Trustee, Moneylife Foundation |
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| Trustees: Walter Vieira, Sucheta Dalal, Debashis Basu. | | | | Moneylife Foundation is registered with the Charity Commissioner of Mumbai, is an Affiliate member of OECD's International Network on Financial Education, is a Supporter Member of Consumers International, Development Partner of Advocates for International Development (A4ID), and is a winner of the 10th MR Pai Memorial Award. | | |  | | | | Donations are eligible for tax benefits under Sec 80G of the Income Tax 1961 (50% tax exemption) and MLF is registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. 80(G) Reg No: DIT(E)/MC/80G/685/2010-11 dated 7.2.11 effective 8.9.2010 | FCRA Registration No: 08378138  | | | |
