Any major move calls for weighing its pros and cons; more so when it is contemplated way past one’s prime.
Two Paripalana Retirement Home families that I know of returned to Bangalore for different reasons. One, when he was hospitalized, his son in Bangalore told him that it would be difficult for him to make it to Coimbatore often and suggested his parents to move back to base.
The other responded in Shakespearean style, “Not that I like Coimbatore less, but that I love Bangalore more.”
Against this backdrop we have equal number of families who moved permanently to Paripalana. One argued, “You know we were right in front of Forum mall, and just ten steps away from Konanakunte Metro station in Bangalore. Regardless we took the plunge for the Retirement home after a few last-minute back and forth stays in both the places.”
The other family had a sprawling house in a calm and serene locality where pollution-free air is the chief attraction. Still they decided to move here.
Comparisons are invidious. One can’t help doing it at times. In our case a permanent shift from Bangalore will mean moving from a 900-apartment complex, built in eight towers of 20 to 26 storeys where community living takes the cake. Name any festival, and it is celebrated – Ekatva, Rajyotsava (birth of Karnataka), all religious and regional festivals such as Onam, Christmas, Holi and what have you.
Next to our gated community is Madheswara temple on a hillock where mass catering for every festival is the name of the game. Turahalli forest, declared thus by an act of legislation, borders ours. Precisely why our complex is named Sobha Forest View. Chirping of birds and dancing of peacocks in merriment greet us every morning.
“Small is beautiful,” on the contrary, describes aptly, as it is meant to, the life in Paripalana 3. Lord Guruvayurappan presides over the complex enjoying the best of breeze from the adjacent coconut grove, leaving the rest for the residents. In the last ten days that we are here we have been a party to Rama Navami, Panguni Uttiram celebrations, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Vishnu Sahasranaman, Pradosham Rudram chants, and practice sessions of Bhajan, Narayaneeyam, Bhagavatam…, and a day trip in two Tempo Travels to a Kerala temple.
You need to cover just four floors in the lift to reach to the ground, and not descend to earth from the 19th floor to buy vegetables. Sorry, no need for vegetables here. You just walk to the Dining Hall three times a day and enjoy your breakfast, lunch and dinner – all announced a week in advance. That allows one to take a call on whether to skip a particular menu and order from a private lady caterer nearby.
Yes, the list is endless – on both sides. It is a tie, to sum up. But the scale at times tilts slightly towards the Retirement Home. The reason? Charity begins at home. I have enjoyed retirement for more than two decades, but the lady of the house never had a moment of respite. My retirement has only added to her woes, with my occasional hints: ‘how about a little second coffee - or even buttermilk?’ Or, “it’s raining outside, how about frying some pakodas to go with it?” Otherwise during my working days, once off to work at 7.30 am, she had all the time for herself till 5.30 pm.
“Be that so, but do you necessarily have to relocate just to give her respite,” confront me those who want us to stay back in Bangalore. “You can engage a cook, just order vegetables online, and enjoy the dishes of your choice,” they argue.
As confused as ever.
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8 comments:
We have not really got confused on this one so far. You didn’t mention the food you get. May be decent but not necessarily what you require or like. So as of now, our motto is “jeena yahan, marna yahon, is ke siva jaana kahan”.
I do agree that the lady of the house should be given a respite / break But then will it not be that the food would have the same taste and flavourful.There won't be any surprises one day spicy the othe day very mild Some days without salt and other days with more salt Yes someday you can order food from outside Like minded people can meet and discuss various things.I have a similar problem a house in Mumbai a d another in SFV I have solved it by having two establishments in both the places with all the necessary things.When I feel I need a change I shift to Mumbai But I know it is difficult to maintain two establishmentsand I am managing for the present
If you are in the age group of 60-75 and interested in religious activities,healthy,and interested in travel and tour then it is better to move to retirement home in coimbatore/ chennai where there is air connectivity for your son/ daughter to come immediately in case of emergency
Sir, can you please share complete contact details of PARIPALANA for me...my whatsapp No. 8095503153
K Sesha Kumar
You may like to maintain both the establishments for a couple of years by which time, both you and Maami will be in a position to take an informed decision that meets / fulfill your needs / expectations. Namaskarams. Balachandran Nana Nani Homes
You can treat Paripalana as a holiday home, so that whenever you both need a change and Akka needs rest, you can be there for a month or so.
Surely life in SFV is much more happening for both of you. You can participate and
enjoy in all the activities in the community and you have a huge social circle and your family and relatives are all here..
You can treat Paripalana as a holiday home, so that whenever you both need a change and Akka needs rest, you can be there for a month or so.
Surely life in SFV is much more happening for both of you. You can participate and
enjoy in all the activities in the community and you have a huge social circle and your family and relatives are all here..
Mama , in life as you know , there are no better choices or worse , the very fact that both of you have chosen the retirement home as a part (time ?)living choice means you must have already weighed the pros and cons of the decision vis a vis status quo . Guess you have to just go with the ebb n flow , experience the life as is and take it as it comes . We do hope your paripalana stay gives you a refreshing change you needed and it is enjoyable and suits your health and routine. Wish you and Mami all the very best.
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