Facilities in Phase 4 of Nana Nani

Nana Nani, Phase 4  where I am staying now is located in Kasturipalayam in Vadavalli. It is about 30 minutes drive from CBE station and 60 minutes from the airport. The complex has six blocks with  250  two  BHK apartments in four floors and 51 Villas. The complex accommodates about 450 residents. I stay in G block.

As you enter the main gate you see a big temple for Mahalaxmi on the left, opposite the security office. It also has the idols of Vinayaka, Bala Murugan,  located inside the temple complex. This temple is where most of the religious events take place. It is also a place where spiritual pursuits like Veda classes, bhajans, and special pujas are conducted every other day.

Next to the temple is Brindavanam, a small garden featuring marble statues of  Krishna, Radha, and Gopikas. There is one more garden with a fountain in front of the main clubhouse and a Buddha statue under a Bodhi tree next to my block.  From the Mahalaxmi temple, a long walkway  takes you to the Villas located immediately after the apartment complex. This is the passage,  dotted with trees on the right where I go for a walk. Many residents walk around the complex using this walkway. It is safe for residents to walk even at night after dinner.

 There are two Club Houses. The main one is where most of the facilities are located within the apartment complex. The second, smaller clubhouse is where the residents of the Villas have their meals.  A mini swimming pool and a badminton court are located next to this club house.

The main  Club House has a dining hall on the ground floor that has a seating capacity of  120. Residents are expected to leave behind their footwear in the footwear racks provided outside before entering the Club House to attend any activity. Meals are provided in two batches. Breakfast at 8.00 am and 8.30 am. Lunch at 12.30 pm and 1.00 pm. Dinner at 7.30 pm and 8.00 pm. Those who want their meals to be delivered at their apartments or villas are charged extra for the service. Electrically operated buggies are available for residents who find it difficult to walk the distance from their blocks to the dining hall.

A well-appointed Gym,  a hall for indoor games like table tennis and billiards,  including the traditional pallanguzhi,  carrom boards, chess boards, a couple of cards tables, an Ayurvedic clinic and spa, library, a separate saloon for ladies and gents which operate on fixed days during fixed times- -All these are located on the first floor.

The second floor is where the fully air-conditioned Meditation Hall is located with a seating capacity of 300. It has a big stage where all the programmes are conducted. The Hall has an audio system, a lighting system, and a built-in Projector for any a/v presentations.  This is the hall where, so far, I have attended performances like a Women`s Day celebration, an Anthakshri, and a karaoke session- all staged by the talented residents. This hall also witnessed the big puja conducted on Sivarathri day and a Music and Dance festival for nine days during the Ram Navami  organized by one of the senior residents at his cost.

The third floor houses the state-of-the-art mini air-conditioned cinema hall with a capacity of 90.  Every Saturday evening a Hindi, Tamil, or Malayalam film is shown.  The third floor also houses six air-conditioned guest houses with three-star comforts that can be used by the guests of the residents. Charges at present are Rs. 4000/- per night including three meals for a couple, with 24 hrs check-in facility. It is a good facility but  without room service.

A clinic with a pharmacy attached is located opposite the G block where I stay. Qualified nurses are available round the clock. Apart from a senior doctor who visits the clinic at fixed times every day, there is a resident doctor available full-time.  There is a system of weekly check-ups of all the residents for general health parameters which is recorded in a book and retained by the resident. In an emergency,  at the press of a specially marked switch located in the bathroom and bedrooms, a nursing staff rushes to the room concerned for any help required. There is also a system by which a nurse from the clinic calls on the intercom every morning residents who are living alone to check if he or she is ok. The maintenance charges levied by the management also include daily cleaning of every apartment by  maids and deep cleaning every two months.

In addition to all the above facilities which are included in the maintenance charges levied by the management , there is also a system of allowing  authorised vendors who sell fruits,  snacks, and other items required by the residents in special stalls put up in the basement of one of the blocks.  Identified suppliers of milk, flowers, grocery , vegetables, newspapers and laundry service etc. are allowed access to the apartments. Many residents cook their own meals in their apartments or order from outside caterers.  Swiggy & Zomato and other food service providers are allowed only up to the gate near the security. Residents have to pick up their orders from the security area.

Only vegetarian food is served. The menu, which caters to the taste of Tamil/Malayalam Brahmins who constitute 90% of the residents. Every day the management circulates the menu for the following day. If a regular diner doesn`t like the menu he/she cooks at home or orders from outside.

The management recently launched a special `Ananya App` of the group which helps residents get a daily update on the various activities being held in the campus besides an Alert icon which if pressed in an emergency brings  the security/medical staff to your room within minutes. You can also settle all your bills through the App.

My cost for  renting a two bedroom apartment, leased for 11 months, comes to Rs.40,000 pm which includes, rent , maintenance and food consisting of three meals, coffee in the morning and afternoon. Electricity bill is extra at actual depending on consumption.

On the whole Phase 4 is a well designed property with all the facilities required for senior citizens to lead a safe life without responsibilities. There are enough activities to keep the residents busy within the community.

Those interested in knowing more about the group and the details about the other existing phases and  new ventures can visit the website `Ananaya`s  Nana Nani Homes`.