Living under fear of collapse

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The home of J. Jayakumar, a 68-year-old physically challenged lottery seller, in a four-cent plot at Poojappura in the city is on the verge of collapse. 

The area is waterlogged. He knocked on the doors of all but in vain. The four-member family which includes two girl children are living in a pathetic condition.

Mr Jayakumar had constructed a small dwelling on the land belonging to his wife's family almost 20 years ago. During the northeast monsoon, rain played spoilsport and submerged his house. 

Local councillor R. P. Sivaji got a fire force team to evacuate the family. But once the rain receded, they returned.

"We are living in fear," Mr Jayakumar's wife, K. Prema, 55, told DC. 

"Any moment this house can cave in. The boundary wall collapsed in the recent rains. We are unable to make ends meet, then how can we elevate the waterlogged area and save our home?"

Mr Jayakumar keeps selling lottery tickets on and off, and that's the sole income of the family. Ms Prema used to work as a housemaid earlier, but now over the last three months, she is jobless.

Their younger daughter had scored 84 percent marks for her Plus Two last year, and her parents' present condition did not permit them to send her to college. 

Their eldest daughter recently completed her Bachelor of Ayurveda Medical Sciences from Karnataka for which they have incurred debts already.

"I get a meagre pension of Rs 500 every month after putting in few years' service at KELTRON. Most of these days I am unable to sell lottery tickets as I have difficulty in walking around, with no wheelchair. I wish and pray that some Good Samaritan will come forward to help us. Our immediate concern is our home."

Already the fire force had warned the family of the danger of staying there. But they are confused as to where to go.

"It was only last week I brought in irrigation officials to examine the area to clear the water," Mr Sivaji told DC. 

"Redtapism might delay it. I have asked the family to take it up with the local legislator, O. Rajagopal."