Vikram and Bina Mehta's palatial holiday abode surrounded by lush greenery

Summer vacations are such an indispensable part of the contemporary lifestyle that most Indians will not easily give them up.

But as Covid-19 extends its footprint in India, authorities are imposing travel bans and lockdown measures, and social distancing is emerging as the key to fighting the pandemic, forcing people to make out-of-the-box plans.

With getaways outside India no longer an option, the rich are turning to their farmhouses on the city’s outskirts.

“We had booked our tickets (for a foreign trip). But the ban on international flights left us with no choice but to cancel them. We have moved to our farmhouse to relax. What can be better than a place surrounded by gardens and farmlands, in the lap of the nature? This is our second home and weekend getaway,” says businessman Tarun Gupta.

“It has everything a person looks for — clean air, scenic beauty and the advantage of being close to the city but far enough away from its negative aspects,” he adds.

Bina and Vikram Mehta of Prakash Lights are of the same view regarding their farmhouse. “We are nature lovers. Given the time, we like to spend it in isolation with nature, meditation and exercise.

Being surrounded by greenery is great and enriches our holiday. At times, due to our work load, it becomes difficult to take the family away from the city.

So, on weekends, we come to our farmhouse, enjoy swimming, and the greenery all around,” she explains. “Staying at our farmhouse now also means that we are being responsible by not venturing out in this time of crisis,” adds Bina.

Villa vacations are not the privilege of the upper crust alone. The trend is catching on even among the upper middle class.

Is this new-found appreciation of nature and the merits of places and comforts close to home one of the few silver linings of the current grim situation.