Ouseph and Mariamma, an elderly couple in their seventies, lived contentedly in a village near Kochi, Kerala. Their two sons, Jaison and Wilson, were married and well-settled in the United States. Though Ouseph was a graduate, he hadn’t sought government employment, having inherited four acres of fertile land. This land provided a good income through the cultivation of rubber, coconut, cocoa, and nutmeg, enabling him to provide his sons with excellent education. Both Jaison and Wilson became IT engineers, securing high-paying jobs in the USA, as did their wives. Their children were enrolled in schools there.
The two families made it a point to visit Ouseph and Mariamma annually during the Christmas season, spending a month together. These visits were particularly cherished by the grandchildren, who reveled in the presence of their grandparents.
A Grand Plan Unfolds
One day, Ouseph shared exciting news with Mariamma:
Ouseph: Mariamma, Jaison just called. His family and Wilson’s family are coming for Christmas on December 15th, and they’ll be with us for a month.
Mariamma: What wonderful news! We’ve been longing for them; it’s been a year since they left.
Ouseph: True. When they arrive, we need to make some decisions and prepare a will.
Mariamma: What decisions? Why write a will now?
Ouseph: Mariamma, we’ve been blessed with immense happiness, and there’s nothing to worry about. Our children are well-settled, and we have more than enough here. Just look at this luxurious house our children built for us. Have you ever considered the laborers who toiled and sweated for its construction? While we sleep comfortably here, those who built this grand house have no homes of their own. They’re in rented houses, struggling to make ends meet.
Mariamma: You’re right, they are poor and can’t afford land or houses. It’s their lot. What can we do for them? What’s your plan?
Ouseph: You might be shocked, but please don’t say no to my wishes.
Mariamma: Have I ever said no to your wishes and plans? Please, tell me what’s on your mind.
Ouseph: Mariamma, we are old and will depart this world any day. We can’t take these lands and this house with us. All we need is six feet of land in our parish cemetery. Why don’t we divide and distribute our land to the houseless, especially the laborers who served us? Let’s keep this house and about twenty cents around it. The rest of the land, we’ll donate to the poor and houseless. What do you say?
Mariamma: I have no objection, but do you think our sons will agree to your proposal?
Ouseph: They are our sons, and I’m sure they possess the same humane and compassionate heart as us. Moreover, this four-acre land is ancestral, and our sons’ families will never wish to live in this rural area. They are settled in the States and will never return to settle here. Their children, brought up in Western culture, can never adjust to our culture here.
Mariamma: In that case, we’ll seek their permission and do as you wish when they come. But if we find beneficiaries and donate our land, how will they find money to build houses on the plots?
Ouseph: If they own land, they can get grants from the government under housing schemes. However, that grant won’t be sufficient to complete the structure and interior. They’ll need to save some money. My plan is to divide our land into 10-cent plots, each with an approach road. We can create 25 to 30 such plots. About twenty laborers who served us will receive plots, and the rest will be given to other deserving poor people in our locality.
Mariamma: That would be a divine service; we can create heaven here.
Ouseph: I am immensely happy that you like my plans and give full support. The Creator has given us this wealth not for us alone to enjoy. After all, this planet is for all its inhabitants. Resources are for everyone to enjoy. Look at the animal world—there’s no ownership, division, or restriction. That’s what the Creator expects from human beings as well.
Mariamma: How philosophical you are! I’ve never heard such philosophy from you before. It’s late now. Let’s go to sleep.
Ouseph: Oh! 10 o’clock. Let’s sleep.
The Sons’ Approval
On December 15th, Jaison and Wilson arrived with their families. Ouseph and Mariamma greeted them with immense joy. The grandchildren rushed to hug their grandparents, and a special dinner was prepared. During dinner, Ouseph began to speak.
Ouseph: Dear children, I have a surprising decision to share with you. Kindly promise me that you will not say no to the decisions and plans I am about to present. As your father, you can be assured that any decisions or plans I make will never be detrimental to you and your families.
Jaison: I will never say no to your decision, dear Papa.
Wilson: I too will not say no to you, dear Papa.
Ouseph: Okay, fine. Jaison, do you need any share of our landed property?
Jaison: No, Papa. We are settled in the States, and we don’t need any share of this land.
Ouseph: What about you, Wilson, do you need any share?
Wilson: No, Papa. We are well-settled in the States and don’t wish to live here with a house.
Ouseph: In that case, it is your mother’s and my will to donate this land to the houseless poor, particularly those laborers who served us. This house and about 20 cents around it will remain for us to live in. Some 25 to 30 poor, houseless people can build their houses on the 10-cent plots we are donating. There will be roads connecting all the plots. This is our dream plan. What do you say?
Jaison: Marvelous, Papa! We will forever be remembered for this humane act.
Wilson: This is the best service we can do for society, dear Papa.
Ouseph: I expected this positive response from both of you, and I am extremely happy. There are more than five lakh houseless households in Kerala. I deem it our duty to help the poor as much as we can. It’s not because of our merit that we are rich, and not because of their fault that they are poor. It’s all fate. I believe in the policy that the more we give, the more we get. Our salkarma or nishkama karma will be rewarded. Perhaps the wealth and happiness we enjoy are the result of our former births or that of our parents and grandparents. If we don’t share our wealth with others, we will suffer in our next births.
Jaison: You are absolutely right, Papa. What you have stated is present in Hindu philosophy. However, by giving land alone, the poor can’t afford to build houses. Do you have any plan regarding house construction, Papa?
Ouseph: The beneficiaries can approach the government and get grants under the housing schemes of the State and Central governments. But that won’t be sufficient. If both of you can donate some amount, the project can be accomplished.
Jaison: I will donate a large amount, Papa. In addition, I will request the firm where I work to donate some amount under its charity scheme.
Wilson: I will also give a good amount and request my firm to donate under its charity scheme.
Ouseph: Excellent! Before you return, we shall find the beneficiaries and donate the plots to them. As they are illiterate, we will help them in obtaining grants from the government as early as possible. Getting government grants is a time-consuming process, so we will start the work immediately with the money you both donate.
Jaison: Agreed, Papa. Tomorrow itself, call a land surveyor, and we shall divide the land into as many 10-cent plots as possible.
Wilson: Yes, Papa, we shall complete our project at the earliest.
Mariamma: Heaven has descended on our house! What a glorious thing we are going to do! Now, finish your dinner. It’s already 10 o’clock. You are all tired from traveling. We shall go to bed after dinner.
The Paradise Villas
The next day, Ouseph called a land surveyor who, with his assistants, divided the land as instructed. Twenty-six plots of 10 cents each were created, with 12-foot-wide roads connecting them. Ouseph’s house and the 25 cents around it were kept separate. Ouseph then contacted the beneficiaries—his houseless laborers and dependents, and other poor people living in rented houses in his locality. He shared the joyous news, asking them to meet him. Thrilled by the surprise gift, they brought the necessary documents for registration.
Within a week, the registrations were completed. A reputable construction company from Kochi was commissioned to build all houses in a uniform pattern: three bedrooms, a drawing room, a dining hall, a kitchen, a sit-out, and a small car porch, totaling 1200 square feet. The agreement stipulated that all houses be completed within a year. Jaison and Wilson contributed 50 lakh rupees for initial expenses, which was given as an advance to the construction company. Foundation work began within a few days.
As Jaison and Wilson’s families prepared to return to the States, Ouseph bid them farewell, saying: “When you come for next year’s Christmas vacation, the construction of all the houses will be complete, and we will have a grand inauguration, handing over the keys to the beneficiaries.”
The construction progressed rapidly. Fortunately, the beneficiaries’ applications for government housing scheme grants were approved within six months, and 50% of the 3 lakh rupees per house was sanctioned. Additionally, Jaison and Wilson secured substantial amounts from their firms’ charity accounts, ensuring that money was not an issue. By the end of November, all houses were completed.
When Jaison and Wilson’s families arrived for their Christmas vacation, the date for handing over the keys to the new homeowners was set for December 26th.
The inauguration of “Paradise Villas,” as the new housing colony was named, was a magnificent event held in the vast front yard of Ouseph’s house. Dignitaries including the Minister for Revenue and Housing of Kerala, the District Collector, the Panchayat President, and the Ward member attended. About two hundred people, including the beneficiaries and neighbors, were present. In his presidential address, the Minister lauded the sublime service rendered by Ouseph and his family to the poor and houseless. He emphasized that if wealthy individuals followed Ouseph’s example, Kerala would no longer have houseless people. The Minister insisted that Ouseph himself should hand over the keys to the owners. A roar of applause erupted as Ouseph presented each person with their house keys. The meeting concluded with tea and snacks for all. A gentle breeze, followed by a refreshing shower, swept through, as if Nature itself celebrated this divine service.
BY
K V Dominic
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