THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Syro-Malabar Church in the state has a chequered history over the years of leading its flock in search of greener pastures and empowering them as a formidable force in society. If it was in search of virgin soil in Malabar and the High ranges decades back and later in the South Canara belt, the changed times also is bringing out the undying spirit of the church hierarchy to find a new meaning in sermonisation and helping the faithful in their struggles and travails for a living. With a view to address the ever-growing and expensive housing needs of city dwellers among those belonging to the community, an exclusive township costing Rs. 1,100 crore is being planned under the Changanassery Archdiocese on a 100- acre plot near the city.Christened as Mar Sleevapuram project, the land for the ambitious venture has been identified near Technopark and the proposed Technocity. The project has been conceived as part of the 125th year jubilee project of the Archdiocese.The proposal is to rope in 3,000 members of the community with a membership fee of Rs. 50,000 each and bank interest tagged with Rs 5 lakh each as deposit, to float a charitable company and set the project in motion. The project, with a slew of facilities from kindergarten to old age homes , a 100-bedded hospital, school, a professional college, convention centre and a 2.5 lakh square feet measuring shopping mall is estimated to cost Rs. 1,136 crore, out of which the land cost comes to an approximate Rs 150 crore. It will be completed in six years time. “ The idea is to provide a helping hand for at least a few community members who are working in the capital, leaving behind their families in far-flung areas. Many of the families in the community who are already living here are struggling to meet the educational needs of their children and medicare,” according to Changanassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthotttam. “ The project may materialise soon,” he told ‘Express’. Fr Sony Mundunadakkal, coordinator of the project, told ‘Express’ that the response to the proposed venture was good and even those working abroad had evinced keen interest in it . ”On completion, villas and apartments costing far less than the existing rates in the city can be handed over,” he said with confidence. There will be 2000 apartments and 250 villas in the project. “Community living and fellowship rooted in an own culture of residents will also be a desired result of the initiative,” he hoped. A meeting of those who are keen to see the project a reality will be convened at Lourdes Forane church here by this month-end. “ Everything depends on the total number of people who want to associate with the project. In case of insufficient numbers, the project will have to be downsized or redesigned for being taken up in different phases,” the coordinator said. At the initial stage, only Syro-Malabar Church members will be given priority to become part of the colony project.
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