Students of Baby John Memorial College launch survey to ensure care for elderly

KOLLAM: The students of Baby John Memorial College at Chavara have launched a survey in their neighbouring villages to bring the senior citizens under a single roof to share their woes. This is part of extending the Kudumbasree’s special neighbourhood groups, Ayalkoottams, for the senior citizens. The students have also arranged special evening rest room in their college for senior women as part of a project ‘Elder care.’

“Elder care’ has been implemented using the funds provided by the UGC. The college ground is a meeting place of elder mothers who reside near the college and the students wanted to arrange a facility for their hangout. The project also intends to help them avail of various funds from the government for their welfare,” Dr. Biju Terrence, IQAC internal quality assurance cell coordinator, told Deccan Chronicle. The Kudumbasree has implemented an ‘Elders’ Ayalkoottam’ programme, a pilot project in the state, in the panchayats of Chavara, Neendakara and Thekkumbhagom.

The students conduct surveys in these panchayats to find out whether all elders have been included as its beneficiaries. They will also conduct a social audit to check how effective the project, funded by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), has been in the lives of the elderly. Each of these panchayats was given Rs 25 lakh for the implementation of the project. The students of the commerce department also conducted surveys in Thevalakkara and Panmana panchayats and handed over their report to Kudumbasree to extend the project to these panchayats. The students who arranged an ‘evening restroom’ have also planned an outing of the elderly women to various pilgrim centres in April. The elders come together and interact with the younger generation and get a link to various government schemes.