Samira's Alibag is the first home for many post pandemic

Alighting at Mandwa Jetty, and as you step into the idyllic bayside hub, one cannot miss the larger than life presence of Samira Habitats, in the infra structure, lifestyle and emerging future of Alibag.

Samira Habitats has been collaborating, curating and guiding this mega boom of Land, Homes and Lifestyle in Alibag since 1995. Once, the favourite second home destination of Mumbai's crème de la creme, the pandemic relook at life, the convenience of a ro-ro ferry service between Gateway and Mandwa, and the changing face of the lazy hamlet, into an option of truly expanded living, has now made Alibag the first home haven for Industrialists, Film Stars, Writers, Artists, Cricketers and the who's who of Mumbai's A Listers.

At the helm of this is shift, is Samira Habitats; The ones who envisioned this inevitable expansion of Mumbai's real estate, more than twenty-five years ago! Leaders and experts of Alibag, Samira Habitats is the most trusted institution to guide the Alibag-bound Lifestyle seekers, with the most select land options, spangling the length, breadth and height ( yes! Alibag in the Hills and lakesides, beyond the seashores!), investment advise, infrastucture assistance and support, on ground, local chaperoning, impeccable paper work and, above all, a strong hold at the ground level.

We chat with Samira Habitas COO, Sonali Rajput about the Samira Big Story

Tell us about your journey with Samira Habitats?

My tenure with Samira is over a decade and half now. I had some experience in sales before this, but the Samira offer of Land Sales, was a pure gut instinct, leap.

Our Founder, Samir A. Nerurkar's conviction and vision on Alibag was the wind beneath the wings of our entire team. The trust, he leads the team with, and an opportunity to learn from the Leader, himself, helped tremendously.

We were a small team, at the start, so insights and learnings were aplenty. He encouraged me in every growth and I got my Executive MBA Degree from Harvard, with support from Samira.

My beginning with Samira was magic by chance; or, destiny.

Growing up the rank & now ED/COO, tell us about this fantastic curve.

It has been a great journey & learning all throughout from being a marketing executive, to director to COO. From sales to land acquisition, finance, operations etc.

Every role has had something new to learn, grow and expand; my own potentials and, more importantly, the possibilities of higher horizons, as a brand holder. Samira is, undoubtedly, a platform to grow.

Real Estate/ Land deals has been men's domain, how did you manage to make a mark?

Luckily, all the men around me are very supportive and never made me feel differently! My father was into real estate, and family support was always unconditional and present.

My colleagues, Samir, everyone, have always trusted me and given me the freedom to work things my way.

Alibag is home for me over the last 15-17 years. Alibag's people have accepted us with open arms. We look at development of Alibag and keeping their goodwill in mind. When you collaborate from the heart, and not merely look at extracting your pound of prosperity, gender differences fall away!

You are instrumental in dealing with farmers on one side & high-profile buyers on the other side, what does it take to do that?

Local language does work for me when managing farmers, when you balance requirements, it's not just buying but providing & understanding their needs too. Alibag today gets the who's who coming there, it's easy to manage them since these people come in from a space of respect and trust for Samira.

Samira has been around for more the 25 years, what's been the success story?

To begin with, we were the First Movers, in a raw and unexplored possibility! Samira's vision has been constant. We saw and believed in The Alibag Dream then, and do so, today. Samira has grown with Alibag; our journey has been intertwined with Alibag's topography, culture, community and aspirations.

We are committed to Alibag's flora & fauna, through green practices & sustainability. The basic fabric of Alibag, is sacred to us, and is not tampered with. We respect the Land and its folk; the Land and the folk, thus, respect and welcome us!

We have grown with time. From our first, Samira Complex, a small plotted project, to becoming The name synonymous with Alibag, we have only just begun!

Today Alibag is the top investment arena, in India and we are here, to lead it to the next Big Story.

As for me, and team Samira, this isn't our workplace. It is Home! And we, are a Super Achiever Family.