The life of Unnikrishnan, a 65-year-old from Thirunavaya, Malappuram in Kerala is nothing short of a family drama movie. One day, he was an expatriate, then a jeweller; from there, he fell into neck deep destitution. The life of Unnikrishnan, whom locals call as ‘Unniyettan’, is full of eventful turns, having climbed out of that State by holding onto the lifeline of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Scheme (EPEP) initiated by Kerala Government.
Unnikrishnan, who worked in Qatar and Dubai for 25 years, returned home in 2002, ending his expatriate life. After building a house in his hometown, he used his savings to start a gold shop called ‘Thrupti Jewellery’ in Kadanangadi, thus becoming a jewellery owner. While living well with his wife and four daughters, problems arose with his family members.
There was a dispute over the ownership of the house and 20 cents of land, which led to a court case. In 2006, Unnikrishnan had to leave the house. Having left empty-handed, he started living alone in a house registered in his mother’s name in nearby Purathur. Soon after, the jewellery shop he had run for 13 years also had to be shut down. "I still have three lakh rupees due to me from the jewellery business. Everything was gone. Complete collapse," Unnikrishnan recalled.
The former jewellery owner slowly sank into the depths of poverty. The massive financial downfall alienated him from the local community. He became reluctant to face people. The old-age pension became his only financial support. Extreme Poverty Scheme to the Rescue After being surveyed and included in the Extreme Poverty Eradication Scheme, Unnikrishnan’s life got a fresh start. The house where he was living, registered under his mother’s name, was renovated.
A toilet was constructed for him. He also began receiving free medicines for his continuous ailments, which include asthma and injuries sustained from an accident to his spine. That wasn’t all; as a means of livelihood, the Thirunavaya Grama Panchayat provided him with a tea shop within the Panchayat premises, under the Kudumbashree’s ‘Ujjjeevanam’ scheme. Six months ago, the tea stall, named ‘Unniyettan’s Idam’ (Unniyettan’s Place), opened its doors.
Amidst the laughter and friendly chats of the people in front of the shop, Unnikrishnan gradually started to come back to life. It was an unbelievable return in old age for a person who had fallen into the deepest depths of destitution. "I have great peace now. The Panchayat staff are my family these days. I can never forget the Government and my Panchayat, even if I die. They gave me a rebirth in that sense," Unnikrishnan says, his voice choked with emotion. He added that the shop provides enough for his personal expenses.
P Babumon, the Village Extension Officer of Thirunavaya Grama Panchayat, says that since starting the tea shop, Unnikrishnan has regained his lost social life by talking and interacting with people. The staff members watch with wonder as the affection surrounding Unniyettan grows and his life blossoms under the loving care of everyone.