Life in Kerala as I saw it
I VISITED Kerala and just came back. I made the following observations of life in Kerala.
The elderly people or the senior citizens are the most lonely and many cases having a tough life. My parents' generation and before, even though they live alone, they had cousins and friend living nearby and when needed help, they were there.
They never felt lonely. People visited them and enquired about their welfare.
Things have changed now. Most of their children are abroad and visit them once a year or once in two years, spend some time and leave. Those who have money hire some help. Those who are disabled or sick, stay in assisted living or senior care places.
The life of those who are poor is very bad. There are senior organizations in religious places, YMCA etc. for them to gather and socialize. Only those who can travel and healthy can join those gatherings. Seniors' life is mostly lonely in Kerala now.
The next generation is generally well off. About half of them work and live abroad. Those who live in Kerala are mostly well off, regular working class, business class doing business in hospitality, health care, supply chain and other services. Then there are are working class like auto operators, drivers, hotel workers etc. The lower level workers are mostly migrants from Northern states of India.
The third generation living in Kerala are sort of a lost generation. Most of their cousins and relatives have gone abroad and working and living there with very limited connection with them. Those who are living in Kerala are qualified and working, but they have limited friends and relatives to socialize with.
Kerala has become a rich state with no poverty except for the disabled and sick. Many people suffering from cancer, heart disease and kidney dialysis are suffering because of high cost of private health care. They get limited help from government.
In Kerala, elderly need help to get them out of the loneliness. The new generation need to develop better link with their counterparts all over the world to support the sick people with no money.
