Calicut University to build 250 houses to mark golden jubilee

KOZHIKODE: Calicut University is constructing 250 houses for homeless people, 50 houses each in the five districts under its jurisdiction as part of the Golden jubilee celebrations. The project is being taken up by the University National Service Scheme cell through its 228 units in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad districts with the slogan ‘Home for Homeless’. The project will be officially launched on July 29 during the inaugural ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Under the projects, those houses which are unfinished under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana will also be taken up by the NSS. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, NSS Programme Coordinator and Students Welfare Dean P Valsarajan said the idea was to construct one house each by each of the 228 units. “In Wayanad we have less number of units, but in order to make up the figure, we are also taking up those houses under the PMAY which are presently halted due to financial difficulties,” he said. The Coordinator added that NSS’s alumni units presently active in over 60 institutions would also actively take part in the project.

“Last year our slogan for the flagship project was ‘Back to Agriculture’ and we were able to convert 1000 acres of land for agriculture outside the regular agricultural land. This year also similar projects can be taken up by individual units, but the flagship project under the umbrella banner of the University is the house construction for needy,” he added. The NSS is constructing houses in association with the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD). Ahead of the implementation, the project will be presented before the principals of affiliated colleges during a conclave to be held on Wednesday.