Your locked ancestral home is not a burden. It is Pungudutivu’s oil.
In our last article, we spoke the hard truth: Pungudutivu is becoming a “Ghost Village.” Hundreds of majestic, traditional houses (Valavu) stand empty, decaying under the sun, reclaimed by snakes and weeds.
For many Diaspora families, these houses are a headache. You pay someone to clean them once a year. You worry about encroachment. You wonder if you should just sell the land for cheap.
Stop. Do not sell. We are sitting on a gold mine, and we don’t even realize it.
The “Roots Tourism” Opportunity
There is a new generation of Tamils born in London, Toronto, Paris, and Zurich. They are now in their 20s and 30s. They want to connect with their roots. They want to see where their grandparents walked. But when they come to Pungudutivu today, where do they stay?
- They cannot stay in your ancestral home—it has no running water, no AC, and is full of dust.
- They cannot stay in a hotel—because there isn’t a decent one.
- So, they stay in a hotel in Jaffna town and visit Pungudutivu for only 4 hours.
They take a selfie, eat a bun, and leave. Their money leaves with them.
The Solution: The “Community Homestay” Model
Imagine if we converted 50 of these empty “Ghost Houses” into boutique “Heritage Homestays.”
This is not about building 5-star concrete hotels. It is about restoring the Thinnai (veranda), polishing the cement floors, installing modern bathrooms, solar power, and WiFi.
How it works:
- The Asset: You (the Diaspora owner) provide the house. You don’t sell it; you retain ownership.
- The Investment: A Diaspora Investment Trust funds the renovation (approx. £5,000 – £10,000 per house).
- The Workforce: We employ local Pungudutivu youth. They are trained as managers, housekeepers, and guides. They cook traditional Pungudutivu meals (Odiyal Kool, Seafood) for the guests.
- The Profit: The income from bookings is split. Part goes to the local staff (creating jobs), part goes to maintaining the house, and part goes back to the investor.
Why This Changes Everything
- It Kills the “Ghost Village”: Houses are cleaned and lit up 365 days a year, not just during festivals.
- It Creates Dignified Jobs: Instead of asking for handouts, a local youth becomes a “Hospitality Manager.”
- It Brings the Youth Back: The 2nd and 3rd Generation Diaspora will come and stay for weeks, not hours. They will spend money in local shops. They will learn the culture.
Chettinad Did It. Why Can’t We?
Look at Chettinad in India. They turned their massive, empty ancestral mansions into world-class heritage hotels. Today, tourists flock there, and the local economy is booming. Pungudutivu has the same architectural beauty. We have the beaches. We have the history.
The Choice: We can let our grandfather’s house crumble into the dirt until it is worth nothing. OR We can polish it, open the doors, and welcome the world.
Pungudutivu is ready for business. Are you?
