India, Aug. 10 -- For Sarika Lokhande, winning an MHADA apartment was 13 years in the making. After applying to the lottery year after year, she finally struck luck in the 2026 draw. She was among the hopeful homebuyers who arrived with dreams of owning a house and left with the promise of a home.

Lokhande had been applying for and trying to win an apartment every year since 2013, but had been unsuccessful.

"In these 13 years, I applied in multiple income categories as my income changed over time, but I was not able to win an apartment. However, today I can proudly say that it is truly a lottery for me. I would only say that all those dreaming of a home should not lose hope and should keep applying for the lottery," she said.

"Buying a...