Badai Bazaar
It is a centre for elderly people totally free of cost.
The initiative is opened by Malappuram Municipality in Kerala.
The word badai means bragging or boasting in Malayalam slang.
As the name suggests, Badai Bazaars are meant to be spaces to while away time chatting and bragging.
A survey conducted by the municipality two years ago found that senior citizens were increasingly losing their space in public places.
Most of the senior citizens, irrespective of their financial status, craved acceptance and recognition.
This spurred the Municipality to set up the Badai Bazaar.
With Kerala witnessing a steady growth in the population of elderly from 5.1% to 16.5% in the last six decades, with the projected figure standing at 21% by 2031, the municipality’s gesture in geriatric care is widely hailed.
The Badai Bazaar will remain open for those aged above 60 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Newspapers, magazines, and television are being sponsored by business establishments.
Each centre will be managed by a committee of senior citizens who use them.
Programmes like check-ups and excursions are in store for those reaching Badai Bazaars.
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