Cooperative Bank sets up homes for aged

For the first time in a cooperative sector, a service bank is setting up cottages exclusively for senior citizens. The Mutholi Service Cooperative Bank has been working towards this goal for the past 10 years, saving up money towards development fund for the project. The initiative gains significance as many people who migrate for better job opportunities are forced to leave their elderly parents alone these days. With the opening of this ‘Sahakarana Vishramabhavanam’, at least some of them would be a relieved lot as the bank assures a secured atmosphere at a reasonable cost for the old.The cottages will come up on 4-acre plot owned by the bank. “Our target is to build 25 cottages of which 10 have already been constructed. We are expecting financial support from affluent people to achieve the goal,” bank president Jacob Mannanal said.Besides 25 cottages each of which can accommodate two people, the project includes a main building consisting of an office room, dining room, reading room and recreation room. The bank also  plans to set a playground and a kitchen garden on the site. Construction of the ‘Vishramabhavanam’ is expected to be completed within two months, said Mannanal.