How Communities can benefit from Consensus building - The Story of Lalitaben

In her 70s, Lalitaben wanted to move closer to her children who had all settled in the nearby town of Rajkot. She had some money from her late husband’s savings and looked for a suitable apartment complex close to her eldest son’s residence. But being crippled, she used a wheelchair and hence looked for a complex with entrance ramps and which enabled the physically challenged. She finally found one called Ashiana which was a lot more expensive ( in those days laws mandating these features didn’t exist). She bought an apartment and lived there happily for many years.

But after around five years, new owners brought more cars and space in the front compound was limited. Many owners found themselves jammed in while trying to leave for office around the same time. Since the entrance ramp was taking a lot of space, they suggested that it be removed thus solving their problem.

The matter was put up in the AGBM and approved by a majority vote.

Lalitaben and some of the other elders who empathised with her were upset. Lalitaben would now be confined and if she had to go out, she would need a person to carry her  and her wheelchair, up or down the stairs. She thought of buying a modern wheelchair which could take her up steps, but it was too costly. She thought of hiring a male servant who was strong enough, but no one was available for such small tasks. A lawyer promised she would get a large compensation through the courts, but it might take years.

The other elders who empathised with her were angry with the management and the young owners for being so inconsiderate. They looked for an opportunity to get back. And sure enough, it came. When the management asked all the owners to pay for major repairs to the lift, they all refused, since they were staying on the ground floor.  And so the bitterness and distrust kept building up until everyone was fighting everyone else. People started going to court and spending large sums of their money. And rumours of a “gang” of owners who controlled the management were rife.

Question:  Could the problem of making space for the cars have been handled differently? By achieving a consensus, instead of a simple majority?

Prakash was a kind owner who could understand Lalitaben’s plight. With a degree in law, he had a better understanding of individual and joint rights,  inclusivity and conflict resolution. At the AGBM he suggested that instead of a majority vote, they build a consensus. People were unaware of it so he took them step by step -  by first getting everyone to listen to each others views and difficulties. Then asking for different ideas, then finding common ground, identifying reasons for strong objections by even a tiny minority, then taking a poll and repeating this cycle until most of the people agreed to the solution and a few who had reservations stood aside on the condition that the reservations be recorded for future reference if necessary.

The solution they reached was that the ramp be removed but the watchman be instructed to and be paid extra by the association to carry Lalitaben and her wheelchair up or down the stairs any time she needed it.

What were the reservations by those who stood aside? That in case the watchman slipped and dropped Lalitaben, they should not be liable for the medical expenses incurred.

Through the years, Ashiana housed many many owners – old and young, challenged and sporty. And thanks to Prakash and the concept of Consensus, they all lived in harmony and good will.