Kerala’s 1st housing colony fading into oblivion

KOCHI

: Eighty-year-old Valsala Gopala Prabhu was beaming with enthusiasm while recollecting good old times. Prabhu is one among the many octogenarian residents of

Girinagar housing colony

who lament the loneliness they face in their twilight years.

The once bustling neighbourhood at Kadavanthara has now fallen silent as many residents had abandoned the houses and moved to other places. “Neighbours were very affectionate during those days. With the formation of the Fine Arts Society, the bond between the residents grew stronger as we used to hold

many programmes

, including drama. But with the arrival of television, many failed to turn up for the programmes and the bond slowly faded away. Today many forget to share even a smile. Just enquiring about our well-being gives great relief to elderly people like me,” says Prabhu, who lives alone as her son had moved to the city. Her son brings her food daily and stays overnight. Prabhu is the president of the

Ladies Club

in the housing colony.

The oldest housing colony in the state,

Girinagar

now spots many single-floor unoccupied concrete houses surrounded by bushes. Of the 279 houses situated on 33 acres, around 50 are unoccupied. Neighbours and relatives come to the support of elders who live alone.

Except for the loneliness part, residents are happy to live in a place nestled in greenery and away from the chaotic city life. “As we are one among the first residents, we are in good terms with our neighbours, who help us in our hour of need. Considering the aging population here, it will be good if police patrolling is introduced in the colony in the night,” says Sherley Prasad, a retired professor. She lives in the colony with her environmentalist husband M K Prasad.

Girinagar residents’ association president Beena Lukose says the growing number of unoccupied houses poses big problems as abandoned compounds slowly turn into waste dumping yards.

“Only a very few people live with their children and grandchildren here. Most of the younger generation are settled abroad. When the elders die, the house becomes unoccupied. Sale of unoccupied houses also does not happen as owners demand exorbitant prices. While some residents construct new buildings after demolishing the old ones. They cut tress for the purpose,” says Lukose.

The aided LP school set up in the colony in 1968 is a reflection on the changing scenario. “A retired headmistress used to tell about parents struggling to secure admission for their wards in the school due to high demand once upon a time. Parents used to wait in queue the whole night with lighted candles as only 60 students were given admission on first-come first-served basis. Children from Girinagar and neighbouring areas studied in the school. Now, only children from neighbouring areas study here,” says headmistress Bindhu

Menon

.


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