But even in the greenbacks country of Kerala, Mariam Thoma's universe is a pale grey. The grey of old age, of loneliness and frustrating silence.Septuagenarian Mariam, mother of five, all settled in the US, is restless on her morning bed. Mariam and her night watchman are waiting for the arrival of the home nurse to replace her filled up catheter.

In nearby Mallappally, 74-year-old Daniel George, is counting his days in solitude. With all his three children and their families in the US, this cancer patient has been alone, with just a nurse to look after him, for the past four years.

The homes of non-resident Indians in Tiruvalla and surrounding areas are fast transforming into little islands of loneliness. With the massivemigration of the younger generation to the US, their aged parents are struggling to cope with problems of infirmity and loneliness.

Mariam and George may still be at their homes but several others have deserted their posh houses and moved over to various old-age homes run by religious institutions in the district. To be with people with similar problems and similar memories.

Says Dr. Raju George of Fellowship Hospital, Kumbanad: ``Money is not their problem, most of them are rolling on dollars. What they miss is a shoulder to lean on during their final days. Occasional telephone chats with their children and grandchildren are the only interludes in their monotonous days.''

A recent survey conducted in the area by the youth wing of Mar Thoma Church found that at large number of parents are facing similar problems. In spite of the fact that they are badly in need of medical care, many of them do not consult a doctor for want of physical help or mobility, the survey found.

Following the findings of thesurvey, Fellowship Hospital, patronised by the Mar Thoma Church, launched an attempt to operate a mobile clinic. ``Nearly 100 patients sought the service of the clinic instantly and their number is going up,'' says administrator John Joseph.

Dr Annie Mammen, who is in charge of the mobile clinic, feels that most of her patients were craving for a psychological mooring rather than medical care.

The presence of a good listener would cure the ailments of most of them, she says. ``Sleeplessness and anxiety are their main problems,'' she adds.

For Anne Abraham, 63, a widow, dearth of faithful servants and reports of increasing number of burglaries has increased insecurities. To feel better, Anne has been running a day-care centre at her home after her four children decided to settle in Dallas four years ago.

Red Cross Society here is receiving more and more applications seeking the service of home nurses. According to its honorary secretary C. George, the society is offering the service of 380 nurses thisyear.

There are also complaints that some parents are being forcibly admitted to old-age homes by their children who want to settle aboard. Most of the parents hate to accompany their children to the alien land.

Recently, the women's wing of the Mar Thoma Church opened a centre for such people at Kumbanad and invited parents facing identical problems to spend their days at the centre.