With the wave of redevelopment making its presence felt onMalabar Hill, there is a section of society losing sleep over it. Our Senior Citizens. In the mad rush for new constructions and more FSI, their apprehensions are being overlooked. Coming to terms with a future, that seeks to displace them from their homes, at an age, when they are at their most vulnerable.
—poses a monumental risk and challenge. A majority of these citizens have lived in the same locality, for very many years. Some have never moved homes thus making this transition feel even more daunting. When one is in their golden years, all we want, is to lead a safe and comfortable existence. Amidst familiar people and environs. The prospect of having to move away from a much-loved home and area, for an uncertain period of time, and rebuild life in a new one—can be veryunsettling. Moreover, the caregiving networks already in place have to be created anew. Such as the domestic helper and medical resource communities which one is so dependent upon.
Nigel Kantawalla, 79, lives with his wife, in a well-appointed apartment in a 10-storeyed building on Nepean Sea Road. Which has a garden, swimming pool, and gym. In a recent inspection, this 50- year-old building was certied structurally sound. Nevertheless, some of its residents want to redevelop it. Mr Kantawalla fails to understand the logic behind their wanting to raze a perfectly good-in-condition building for extra FSI. According to him, the cons far outweigh the pros but citizens are blindsided by the lure of luxe high-rises. He is understandably wary of wading into unfamiliar waters at this juncture of his life. “What if, the building we rent a flat in, decides to also go into redevelopment”, he asks? “How many times are we expected to move houses in our old age? Moreover, if the developer turns defaulter, we could be living out of rented flats for the rest of our lives!” In her late 80’s,
Malti Sawhney, is looking for a rental flat since her building at Walkeshwar has already signed a redevelopment deal. Beingbed-ridden, Malti’s husband, is unable to help her in the househunting. Their daughter who lives overseas can’t either. The sheer thought of the process of emptying her home of the last 55 years, and moving into an unknown one, falls her with dread. Malti says, “My husband and I will most likely not be alive, by the time the new building is built. So why am I being put through this unwarranted ordeal? Why can’t we just live in peace?”
There are also other factors arising from this conundrum. Says Nadia Mehta, 70, a lawyer and resident of Altamount Road, “Redevelopment being essentially driven by the young, it is commonly noticed that it is the children, who often pressurise and emotionally-blackmail their parents into submission. Members not in favour of their society’s redevelopment, are bullied and ridiculed, and subjected to barbs by those who are. Elderly women living on their own, are particularly targeted, and also face coercion by the managing committee.”Moyna Sen, 63, is an artist who only a year ago, refurbished her flat on Carmichael Road. She went through considerable expense to do it up with the best of materials. She has now received word of her housing society’s decision for redevelopment. Says she, “It’s very disheartening that all the efforts taken, resources and finances used for the revamp—were an exercise in futility. Now I will have to live in a flat that will probably not be wellmaintained while my own home, which is in spanking new condition, will be bulldozed in the blink of an eye.”93 year-old Bhalchandra Joshi, an ex-Director, has lived in a sea-facing apartment on Breach Candy, for the last 52 years. Now with redevelopment knocking on his door, he has no choice but to vacate it, and most probably live out his last days in one, without a view. But more than this issue, it is the possibility of losing his staff of many years that he worries about the most. “Will my caregivers accompany me to the new house? What about my doctors? Will they do house visits there?”, he asks. “To let go of trusted staff members and employ new ones makes me very nervous. Safety is the main concern.”
The purpose of writing this article, dear reader, is to make us all pause and think. About the repercussions of our decisions taken in light of unjustied and needless redevelopment. In the mad rush for some extra FSI, or deluxe amenities, let us not lose sight of the fact that we have a responsibility towards our elderly, too. In their sunset years, they deserve not only peace of mind, but also, our empathy and support. Please give due consideration to those whose voices are going unheard. If your building is not in a dilapidated/ irreparable condition—we sincerely hope, you will not follow the trend. The winds of change don’t always blow in our favour.
All names have been changed to protect identity.
Written by : Pervin Sanghvi (Environmentalist, C4D Consultant, and a resident of Malabar Hill)
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