Kuttanad: Most of the people are hesitant to give away even a single inch of land from their property when it comes to road development. But after the road is constructed, its major beneficiaries would be the same people. But Santha and Vilasini, two women from Kuttanad, happily gave a share from their 3-cent plots and became a model for all.
Santha Rajan lives in Ambedkar Bhavan in Thalavady panchayat. Santha received the 3-cent plot 25 years ago as the land was occupied by her family for a long time according to Kudikidappu rights. She is living in a small hut set up on the land. The attempts to construct a road in the area had started about one-and-a-half years ago.
The width of the 3-metre road was reduced to 1 metre in the front of Santha's house as the authorities could not ask her for a share of the small plot. Knowing the situation, Santha gave 1.25 cents of her land for free without any hesitation.
Santha's neighbour Vilasini also gave her 0.75 cent of her land for the road. Vilasini had been working as a housemaid since childhood and she managed to buy the 3-cent plot 10 years ago for Rs 75,000 using her savings. She lives with her brother and family in a house built on the land.
"We saw a man of nearly 85 years being carried on shoulder a few days ago. If there was a road, they would have been able to take him out easily. I gave my land thinking no other person from here should face such a situation in the future," Santha Rajan said.
Tarring started in the area between Madathil Kalungu to Kothappally on Wednesday. The 300-metre road has 3 metre width and is beneficial for 41 families in the area.
The construction was completed using funds from the 2019-20 financial year. The road will be inaugurated on Friday, said panchayat member Ajith Kumar Pisharath.
