Due to the impact of our war-torn social structure, the welfare of the elderly has become a pressing need of the hour. While it is the moral responsibility of children to care for the parents who gave them life, in today’s society this duty is often neglected. “We are becoming ungrateful towards those who made us who we are,” said Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The Karavai Welfare Home, located in Thunnalai, Poonthottam, Kovitkadavai, was officially inaugurated by the Governor on 5 August 2025.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor noted that many members of the Tamil diaspora are making investments in the Northern Province. “Some invest here for earning, while others reinvest the returns generated from their ventures for the benefit of the community. There are also those who contribute specifically to initiatives such as care homes for the elderly,” he said.
The Governor extended his appreciation to Kathiravelu Manoharan for establishing this welfare home, commending him on behalf of the people of the Northern Province for his dedicated service to society.
At the same time, the Governor noted that there have been instances where individuals from the diaspora, who extended their support and assistance, have been deceived by certain people locally. “I am not sure whether the nature of the government at that time may have shaped the mindset of the people, leading to such behaviour. There is a proverb that says, ‘Arasan evvaliyo, kudikal avvali’ — meaning ‘As is the king, so are the people,” he remarked.
Today, both husband and wife go to work. Parents are needed to take care of their children. Children who are kept at home as long as the parents are functional are left outside when their functional capacity decreases. Such homes will be a refuge for such parents.
“We are increasingly becoming ungrateful. We too easily forget to care for the parents who made us who we are. Our parents — our elders — are the greatest asset we have. There is no better teacher in the world than experience, and our elders are the living embodiment of that wisdom. Yet, our younger generation is losing these invaluable assets,” said the Hon. Governor.
At the same time, we are also becoming those who do not know how to respect the elderly. Today’s youth do not know what society is. They do not know who the people around them are. These children do not even grow up to be bookworms. They are raised as ‘tuition’ insects. They grow up to be those who do not know how to help others. That is why such homes are becoming an essential need for our society as well, said the Governor.
