Malayalis think big on houses, vehicles : Census 2011

Malayalis have a fancy for humongous houses and a fetish for cars and two-wheelers.

It does not matter to him if the bungalows remain vacant for years.

But when the germ of building a house worms into his mind, the Malayali never hesitates to think big.

Much like how his peg of alcohol should be nothing but large, he unabashedly fantasises a home with a huge hall brushing shoulders with a large dining room and bedrooms, and probably, a few more on the first floor.

The new census data reveals that though over 60 per cent households have just four or less members in them, 32.2 per cent of the houses have three dwelling rooms.

While 25.1 per cent of the houses have two dwelling rooms, 20.6 per cent of the houses have four rooms. Only 1.1 per cent houses do not have exclusive rooms.

Interestingly, of the total 11,217,853 houses, 1,189,144 houses are vacant. Among other States and Union Territories, 30.7 per cent of the houses in Manipur, 27.5 per cent in Lakshadweep, and 24.6 per cent in Goa have three dwelling rooms.

The neighbouring Tamil Nadu has almost 40 per cent of houses with just a single dwelling room and 30.5 per cent with two rooms. Only 13.8 per cent have three dwelling rooms.

When 48 per cent of families in Kerala have opted for concrete houses, 34.8 per cent households have used tiles for roofing. More than 61 per cent houses have cement floor while 22.9 per cent houses have used Mosaic floor tiles.

Two-wheelers and cars have long been the status symbol of Keralites. The census shows 24.1 per cent households own two-wheelers and 10.2 per cent own a car, jeep or van. Small wonder, Kerala has emerged one of the biggest market for new vehicles.

- Mini Muringatheri, The Hindu