“My cousin is in her fifties and she’s already waiting to join us here!” The room erupted in laughter as Mrs. Kamala gestured toward her friends at My Happy Home. In a world where old age homes often carry stigma, this place defied every expectation.
A Family of 40
When Professor Madhavan from IIT-BHU adjusts his reading glasses to share a morning joke with the caretaker, it’s clear this isn’t just professional duty. The owner and staff don’t manage this place—they inhabit it.
With nearly one caregiver for every resident, My Happy Home operates more like an extended family than an institution. Close to 40 senior citizens call this place home, cared for by 35 dedicated caregivers in different capacities. This staggering number was pleasantly astonishing, something that isn’t usually expected or seen. This goes to show that there is a huge potential for human care professionals in the elderly care sector which is expected to make up 347 million of the country’s population in 2050. For these 347 million senior citizens, there will be a requirement of millions of young caregivers in different capacities.
“The atmosphere here is much better than our own homes.”
— Resident at My Happy Home
From Dawn to Devotion
Mrs. Lakshmi’s day begins at 6 AM with in-room tea service—a small luxury that sets the tone. After refreshing baths, residents participate in yoga sessions that include both asanas and breathing exercises, creating a mindful start to their day.
Morning nourishment includes breakfast in the common dining area, followed by the delightful 10:30 AM serving of Ragi Jawa and spiced buttermilk. “Such thoughtful care,” Mrs. Lakshmi expresses her gratitude for these considerate touches.
The afternoon brings Bhagavad Gita classes led by ISKCON teachers, followed by rest and a substantial lunch. As evening approaches, residents choose between walks outside or socializing in the common area.
Rich Backgrounds: During conversations, remarkable life stories emerge. One resident was a Professor at IIT-BHU in Varanasi, while another served as a Special Grade Collector in Nellore—experiences that reveal hidden depths.
Cinematic Memories
When conversation turned to favorite films, the room came alive. Names flowed like cherished memories: “Devdas,” “Maya Bazaar,” “Missamma,” “Bhakta Tukaram,” “Malleshwari,” and “Pandava Vanavasam.”
“Maya Bazaar!” was mentioned multiple times, with residents appreciating how the 1957 classic combined a variety of rasas of ancient mythology with poetry and songs. The film had woven itself into their collective memory.
Then Mrs. Sita began to sing. Her melodious rendition of “Vivaha Bhojanambu” from Maya Bazaar transformed the afternoon, adding a beautiful layer to the conversation.
“It’s during festivals that we get to wear our chosen saris from our elaborate collection!”
Mrs. Radha, whose husband added that she has “a few almirahs full of saris” to roars of laughter
Rituals that Bind
On Shivaratri, Poornima, and Ekadashi, residents gather for devotional activities—chanting stotras and performing homas. These aren’t just religious observances; they’re threads weaving individual lives into a shared tapestry of meaning and connection.
Towards the end of the visit, residents gathered for a variety of games that not only captured their interest but made them burst into laughter. The games included clapping hands in different patterns, “Name the Fruits & the Veggies” which is a fun and a simple game where all the people involved have to name a fruit or a vegetable. The atmosphere was a beautiful reminder that with the right kind of impetus in the form of conversation and activities, joyfulness and laughter is always just around the corner. At My Happy Home, both care and joy are in abundance.