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Desperately seeking hangouts

Photos: Rohit Panikker

Chill out zones Youngsters make a beeline to places such as Kanakakkunnu Palace or a Milma booth near Althara Junction

It’s early evening and people throng the line of tea shops between the Napier Museum and Kanakakkunnu Palace. The crowd consists mostly of young people who stand around in groups and chat. The strong aroma of tea dovetailed with the assorted s mell of ‘vadas’ and ‘bajjis’ are difficult to ignore. As it becomes dusk, the crowds become larger. This is a scene at one of the most popular hangout places in the city.

However, the city does not have a reputation for being a place that is youth friendly. It is also the only capital city in South India that has not taken to the mall, multiplex and Mocha (a Coffee shop chain) concept. Youngsters don’t have many choices when it comes to places where they can hangout with their friends. Sabarish Levan, 21, a final year student at Sri Chitira Thirnal College of Engineering (SCT), says: “Of course there are places like Café Coffee Day and Ambrosia to sit and have a nice time with friends, but we can’t really go there every day. It’s too expensive. We’d prefer the museum tea shop any day. It’s inexpensive and a place all of us love to go to.”

Some others get to-together at places like the museum, Shangumugam beach, small eateries in and around Kedaram shopping complex in Kesavadasapuram, Arabian Team juice shop at Kaudiar (which has now closed down) and even a Milma booth at Althara Junction.

“The milma booth never cheats,” says R. Nithin, 21, a final-year student at SCT College. “Be it a bandh, hartal or even late nights, we know that the place will be open. The milma booth has become a popular landmark at Althara Junction and its regular customers include popular film and TV serial actors.

“When we were in school, our common hangout places used to be Minus 24, Style Plus and on some evenings we used to go and sit in the sprawling compound of Kanakakkunnu Palace. We used to just sit there near the Nishagandhi auditorium and talk. Those were some of the best times I’ve had with my friends,”’ recalls A.D Dhanush, 22, who is now doing his final year MBA in PSG College of Management, Coimbatore.

Movies are another alternative. Unlike in other States, a trip to the movies is an inexpensive affair in the city. “Where else, but in Kerala would you still get a balcony ticket for just Rs. 40,” he asks.

Soma John, a final-year student at Kerala Law Academy Law College, says, “We girls don’t have many options when it comes to places where we can hangout. It’s usually the Coffee Day or Ambrosia or some other place like that. These places are mostly crowded. Another location which we frequent is the museum, not because it’s a lot of fun, but because we don’t have any other places to go to. The boys have it much easier.”

Franchises like Subway and Dominos have opened on the Technopark campus but the distance from the city makes it inaccessible for a lot of people.

“All these new outlets that come to Thiruvananthapuram are tech-centric. They don’t open in the main city and it’s not possible for us to go all the way to Technopark every time,” says Sabarish.

He continues: “Well, we are glad that all these places are at least opening here because of the Technopark. It’s sad though that such outlets have not opened a branch in the city.”

Whatever be the problems, youngsters in the city have still managed to find their own special places to meet and spend time with friends. They don’t hanker for more. Be it the small tea shop or the expensive coffee shop, the youth here is making the best out of what they have and they’re making it good.

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