Kerala: The loners of Barton Hill

Thiruvananthapuram: The number of old people living alone in Barton Hill colony is small, but not insignificant. Some like 68-year-old J Madhavi Amma keep the lights on at night. “I still feel scared,” she says.

In the background of the Perumbavoor incident, the security of those staying by themselves needs to be reviewed. Barton Hill Colony Association Secretary G Appukuttan says, “At least in three-four cases, when we suggested that they be put in old age homes where they would receive some attention, the relatives were against the idea.”

Madhavi Amma has been living alone for decades as her husband passed away early, and she has no children. To add to her difficulties, the house she has rented has no water connection. “I have to take water from a public tap,
in the morning. These days, there is no water,” she says.

There are more than seventy senior citizens here, of which the number of people who stay alone would be less than 10, according to Selavaraj A, President, Ayyappa Swamy Seva Samithi. “There are 240 houses here, and most are brick houses. There are very few concrete houses,” he says.

The houses are connected to the road with just a flight of stairs. Barton Hill Colony Association President Antony is now ill, and had to be moved to his daughter’s house, as hospital visits from here are not easy.

The colony has a considerable number of people who, despite living in a thickly populated place, are fighting their battles by themselves. “There is a lady who stays with her father who is mentally unstable. We are thinking of doing something for them after the elections,” says Kunnukuzhy councillor I P Binu.

Since the Institute of Management in Government, Government Law College and Government Engineering College, Barton Hill, are nearby, the place is always monitored by police, according to Selvaraj. “This provides much security,” he adds.

There have been reports of fights between goonda gangs in the colony. However the presence of thugs only makes the place safer, says K Sasimohan, a resident. “They won’t allow anyone to harm the women here,” he says.