Four years ago, many of NDTV's viewers donated generously to the fund to help tsunami survivors. Three months after the opening of an elders village in Cuddalore, built with viewer's contributions, along with Helpage India, life has got a new meaning to it. From despair to dignity, it has been an amazing turnaround in the lives of 45 senior citizens.
The 70-year-old Venugopal takes pride in attending to the cows in this shed. 62-year-old Pushpagandhi enjoys cooking everyone's favourite fish curry for lunch. The fish is caught from a pond and the vegetables are plucked from a garden that the kitchen overlooks.
73-year-old Murugiah relishes his job of making sure that everyone eats well. And 63-year-old Kamakshi loves to weave handbags from banana fibre and earn a little money.
It's a moving example of 'elders for elders'.
Devastated by the tsunami four years ago and many abandoned by their own children, they now lead a life of dignity at their new self-sufficient home in Cuddalore.
"It is the love we share here that keeps us going," said Rukmani, Resident, Helpage India, NDTV Viewers Elders Village.For 60 years, Vadivelu used his transistor to listen to cyclone warnings for fishermen. He had lost his children in the tsunami. Three months ago, he made this helpage home his home.
''All my needs have been met here. I can live in peace till my last days,'' said M Vadivelu, Resident, Helpage India, NDTV Viewers Elders Village.
85-year-old Kuppammal, the senior most resident agrees, as she gets ready to head to the TV room.
Being yourself, they say, is a 24-hour job. And these elders, tsunami survivors, have truly re-discovered the joy of being themselves, and of living together as part of one big extended family.
By Sanjay Pinto, NDTV
© Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2008.
