Kerala old-age home residents get first taste of Vande Bharat, Kochi Water Metro

Residents of the Government Old Age Home in Inchavila, Kollam, traded their daily routine for a day of new experiences on Monday, September 7, 2026. The excursion, organised by the Kollam District Women's Council and Y's Men International, took the group of elderly women to Kochi for a journey many had only dreamed of.

District Collector Annie Jula Thomas flagged off the trip, after which the women boarded the high-speed Vande Bharat Express. Upon reaching Kochi, the group enjoyed a two-hour cruise on the Kochi Water Metro, taking in the backwaters and the modern skyline — a first for many of them. The itinerary also included a visit to the Vallarpadam Basilica, where the women spent time in quiet prayer.

A particularly moving moment came when the visitors met residents of another government old age home in Kochi. Though initially strangers, the two groups quickly connected over shared stories and experiences, forming bonds of friendship. Several women were seen in tears of joy, saying it was the first such journey of their lives. Staff at the Inchavila home noted that no similar excursion had been organised for the residents before.

The idea for the trip took root in May, during Mother's Day celebrations, when organisers spent time at the home listening to the residents' wishes. What began as a plan for a local outing and a movie gradually expanded into a multi-stage initiative, with the Kochi trip being the third phase.

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 officials from Y's Men International.