Mayor Beena Philip giving sweets to Sosamma, a member of the Pakalveedu at Kunduparamba in Kozhikode, after the facility won the award for the best Sayamprabha Home in the State. Welfare Standing Committee Chairman of the Kozhikode Corporation P. Divakaran is also seen.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
Senior citizens at the Pakalveedu at Kunduparamba here were on cloud nine on Friday (September 26), the day after their daytime home won the award for the best ‘Sayamprabha Home’ in the State from the Department of Social Justice.
They celebrated the occasion by sharing sweets with Mayor Beena Philip, City Corporation welfare standing committee chairman P. Divakaran, and members of the management committee of the home, headed by Councillor K. Reeja.
The recognition comes soon after the home was elevated as a model Sayamprabha Home by the department, considering the facilities that it provides to the elderly.
The Pakalveedu at Kunduparamba has been in the news since it was founded in 2022 for all the right reasons. The elderly people here came forward to learn vocational trades and made their leisure time profitable by manufacturing cleaning solutions. The handwash and dishwash under the brand name ‘Grandmom Magic’ is now available in stores in the city. Recently, they ventured into agarbatti making and are planning to start vegetable farming on the terrace soon.
Though there are 468 members, only around 90 of them visit the home daily. They often go on field trips and engage in board games and other activities at home. They share their stories and have a merry time together, celebrating all festivals as their children and grandchildren are away for work or studies. The home is located on the premises of the public health centre at Kunduparamba. The members undergo regular health check-ups, besides being provided with mid-day meals and snacks.
“The management committee of the Kunduparamba home is very proactive, which is one of the reasons why the home is winning accolades repeatedly. The senior citizens are also very demanding and smart. Besides, there is timely intervention by the Corporation as part of its efforts to make Kozhikode a truly elderly-friendly city,” Mr. Divakaran told The Hindu on Friday.
There are nine homes within the city limits. Six of them — those at Karuvissery, Mokavoor, Eranhipalam, Thadambattuthazham, Poolakkadavu, and Kunduparamba- are directly managed by the Corporation, while the remaining three — at Eranhikkal, Madhathil Mukku, and Kolathara — are managed by community groups.
Published – September 26, 2025 08:42 pm IST
