Kasaragod: A house that might collapse any moment. But, within the house here is a talented student who dreams of becoming a lecturer one day. The situation of her house has become an hurdle to her dream.

Savitha is the daughter of Mahabala Rai and Sumita couple residing in a dilapidated house at Padi in Cherkala Panchayat in Kasaragod taluk. She is a B.A. graduate achieving third place in Kannur university level. The family’s survives on the income of her father who works in cultivation and her mother who ties ‘beedis’. Being a good achiever in education, Savitha’s only wish is to become a lecturer. But, it is not getting realized!

Savitha and her family reside in a 30-year-old mud house. Due to heavy rains, the mud walls of the house have corroded. The roof is made up of dry straw which is covered by a tarpaulin sheet. Even though the family adds straw and tarpaulin every year, there has been no reprieve from the seeping roof. Since the last couple of days, when it rains, the inhabitants are forced to sit under an umbrella throughout the night.

Mahabala Rai had taken a bank loan to marry Savitha’s sister, but has not yet been able to pay it back. The loan amounts close to 1 lakh rupees and carries an annual interest of 20,000 rupees, which is extremely difficult for them to pay back.

Their house has no toilet. Though there is a well for drinking water, during summer, it goes dry, thus giving rise to the difficulty of procuring water.

Observing the pitiable condition of Savitha’s family, the Rastriya Seva Yojana Group of Manjeshwar Govind Pai Smarak Government College has come forward to construct a small house for the family.