Want to stay connected? This society shows the way

A first-of-its-kind website designed by a housing society in Lokhandwala aims at easing communication amongst its members, reports Chesta Wadhwani.

Every time Gurupreet Singh, 34, of Kamdhenu Apna Ghar Complex in Lokhandwala, missed his society meeting, he would inevitably sleep over the big plans and ideas he had for the betterment of the huge residential-cum commercial
complex that he lives in.

Then, he had an idea: Singh, and his neighbour, Walter D'Mello decided to save the members and shopkeepers of the not-so-noticeable circulars and notices put on the walls by designing a website for the society.

The week-old, www.kamdhenusociety.in, is the first housing society website in Mumbai. The city has as many as 20, 000 societies. The website not only helps members get up to speed with the various activities in the society, but also provides a blog where members are welcome to write on issues and communicate freely with each other. A mobile-messaging feature on the website enables instant mobile SMSing to all members regarding society meetings, functions and other such events.

"From information about the managing committee to a platform to complain and appreciate our society's efforts, the website comes in handy. Plus, it saves paper," says Singh, a businessman and the brain behind the initiative, adding that D'Mello has designed the website for free—to reach out to those travelling and are not actively involved with the society's functioning.

Prabhakar Churi, chairman Maharshtra Societies Welfare Asociations says that Kamdhenu Society is the first one to have its members log in. "It's a great move, but I don't know how much use will the website be to its old members. Not everyone is net savvy," says Churi.