A day out in Vande Bharat, Kochi Water Metro for residents of this old age home in Keralam

Residents of the Government Old Age Home, Inchavila, at Kollam railway station before the trip. Translating long-cherished dreams into memories, the residents of the Government Old Age Home, Inchavila here experienced an eventful day as they stepped out of their daily routine for a special excursion on Monday (September 7, 2026).Organised jointly by the Kollam District Women’s Council and Y’s Men International, the trip took the elderly women to Kochi as District Collector Annie Jula Thomas flagged off the journey. Bursting with excitement and curiosity, the group boarded the high-speed Vande Bharat Express and upon arriving in Kochi, they enjoyed a two-hour cruise aboard the Kochi Water Metro. For many, taking in the picturesque backwaters and the modern cityscape was an entirely novel experience. The group also visited the Vallarpadam Basilica, spending quiet moments in prayer and reflection.Poignant momentA deeply poignant moment of the trip occurred when the visitors met with residents of another government old age home in Kochi. Though they started off as strangers, the two groups quickly bonded over shared life stories, personal experiences, joys, and sorrows, forming instant friendships in a powerful demonstration of mutual empathy. Visibly moved by the experience, several women expressed through happy tears that it was the first time in their lives they had ever experienced such a journey. Staff members noted that this was also a first for the institution, as no similar excursion had been conducted before.The idea originally took shape in May during Mother’s Day celebrations, when the organisers spent time at the old age home listening to the residents’ simple desires. What started as a day out to explore the local city and watch a movie quickly evolved into visits to various places of worship, culminating in this ambitious third phase to Kochi.The residents were accompanied by Women’s Council vice-president Jane Alsil Francis, secretary Jayasree Rajeev, Geetha Zachariah, Beena Martin, and Asha Dulari, along with Y’s Men International officials. Published - September 08, 2026 07:07 pm IST