A day at Vande Bharat, Kochi Water Metro for residents of a nursing home in Keralam.

Turning their dreams into memories, residents of the Inchavila State Nursing Home experienced an action-packed day as they took a break from their daily routine for a special excursion on Monday (September 7, 2026).

The trip, jointly organized by the Kollam District Women’s Council and Y’s Men International, brought elderly women to Kochi when District Collector Annie Jula Thomas called off the trip. Filled with excitement and curiosity, the group boarded the Vande Bharat Express and on arrival in Kochi took a two-hour cruise on board the Kochi Water Metro. For many, exploring the picturesque backwaters and modern cityscape was a completely new experience. The group also visited the Vallarpadam Basilica, spending quiet moments in prayer and reflection.

Hot moment

The most touching moment of the trip occurred when visitors met residents of another government nursing home in Kochi. Although they were strangers at first, both groups quickly bonded over shared life stories, personal experiences, joys and sorrows, forming instant friendships in a powerful display of mutual empathy. Visibly moved by the experience, several women said through tears of happiness that it was the first time in their lives that they had made such a journey. The staff noted that this was also the first excursion for the institution, since such an excursion had not been conducted before.

The idea initially came about during Mother’s Day in May, when organizers spent time at a nursing home listening to the simple wishes of residents. What started as a day exploring the local town and watching a film quickly escalated into visits to various places of worship, culminating in an ambitious third leg of visiting Kochi.

The residents were accompanied by Women’s Council Vice-President Jane Alsil Francis, Secretary Jayasree Rajeev, Geeta Zachariah, Bina Martin and Asha Dulari and representatives of Y’s Men International.