Want to rub shoulders with Priyanka & Robert Vadra? Join Habitat centre

It is no wonder that between January 19 and February 19 when associate membership was opened, the IHC received nearly 10,000 applications — a list that reportedly includes Priyanka and Robert Vadra.

RMS Liberhan, Director of the Habitat Centre, said screening of applications will start soon and, “only about 700 new members will be inducted.” At present, the IHC has over 6,000 members.

About the money collected from the forms, Liberhan denied that the IHC was making any profits.

“The non-refundable money (Rs 60 lakh) will just about coverour costs — expenditure on forms processing, computer services, printing of brochures and forms. We do not make any profit from this,” he said.

The India Habitat Centre was registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in 1987 with the professed aim of developing an integrated physical environment in which individuals and institutions dealing with various facets of habitat and related environmental issues could function and interact.

The Ministry of Urban Development had given prime land to the NGO — now housed in probably the best designed ultra-modern building of the Capital — at extremely low rates. Initially, the Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development used to head the IHC but over the years the Ministry has lost all control over it.

Also, according to some members, the Habitat Centre has been reduced to being a glorified club where gossip has replaced any meaningful interaction or stimulation of intellectual activity.

However, a governing body official dismissed the criticism andsaid that the number of people still hankering for the membership was proof enough of the popularity of the Centre. And that people were willing to pay thousands of rupees to become members.