THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A police officer on duty near Killi River here happened to see an old-timer standing on Pazhakutty Bridge. As the lockdown is in effect, the officer asked the old man to go to his house. The man pointed towards the bridge and said that's his house.

The police officer was angered with his response. He thought that the man was making fun of him. The officer went under the bridge and realized the man is indeed staying there. A shelter of plastic sheet and torn bags where only one person can get in. The locals gave the man a name as well-'Palathinadiyile Chellappan' which means Chellappan from under the bridge.

Chellappan always dreamt of his own house. But he couldn't find enough money through his farming in a wasteland near the bridge. He managed to have food with a petty sum he made during his heydays by mining five to ten baskets of sand near Killi River. Even after hard labour, he couldn't find enough money to buy land.

Housing schemes didn't find Chellappan. Due to the intervention of some leaders, he got his voter's ID. In his 67th age, he also got a welfare pension. The auto drivers nearby also lend a hand.

Flashback

Chellappan is one of the 10 children born to Yonas and Mary of Chellamkod Colony, fifth child to be exact. Two cents of land was all his family had. All his siblings married. With no assets, Chellappan built a shelter in a wasteland in Kallampara. In the name of road widening, he was evicted from the place. Leaders promised him a house. He extracted sand from Killi River and sold it for a living. He also assisted vendors and auto drivers. Chellappan found shelter under the bridge. In between, he stayed at his brother's house in Kottoor. During his time there, Chellappan fell in love with Lalitha-a neighbouring girl.

Chellappan promised Lalitha that he'll taker her with him once he gets a house from the government. The wishes never came true.

"Lalitha didn't marry as well. She passed away 7-8 years back", a teary-eyed Chellappan said.