SILVER TARANG: Evening Programme for Senior Citizens 50 +

Silver Innings Active Ageing Center Presents 'SILVER TARANG' Evening Programme for Senior Citizens 50 + .

The programme promotes concept of Successful ageing and provides Elderly to come together for activity that reflects their experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage involvement with the community.

Day: Every Friday

Time: 5.45 pm to 6.45 pm

Venue:
Cosmopolitan School, Ground Floor, Near Ganesh Mandir, Sheetal Nagar, Mira Road, Mumbai, India. Pin 401107


Contact:
Tel: 9987104233; Email: silverinnings@gmail.com

This programme is organized by Silver Inning Foundation with support from Cosmopolitan School

We need Speakers , Alternative Therapist , Health Camps, Activities, Recreation and Entertainment for our Elderly,pls let us know if you could help.

IBM to Develop Mobile Apps for Rural, Aging Population

IBM is joining hands with eminent academic institutes in India and Japan to find out solutions which would help make mobile phone usage more convenient for people who are illiterate or aged.

In India IBM has partnered with institutes of repute like IIT, NID and Indian School of Business.

IBM has recently partnered with the Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) to find out new designs for mobile device interfaces. The collaboration would develop applications for mobile platforms which are simple and easy to use.

“IBM believes that close collaborative innovation with world-class academic institutions such as IIT Bombay, is the key to finally bridging the digital divide and putting the power of information sources and services in everyone’s hands,” said Dr. Manish Gupta, Director, IBM Research – India and Chief Technologist, IBM India/South Asia.

The IT giant already has a partnership with National Institute of Design (NID). Under this partnership, NID research team is visiting various states and conducting surveys to understand the accessibility challenges in those states.

"The NID students by talking to people of various states try to find out what stops the rural populace from using the mobile phone beyond just making phone calls," an IBM India spokesperson said.

The NID team takes feedback from the villagers irrespective of geography or education level which helps them understand the need of the population who are not comfortable in the traditional method of using a mobile phone.

"We want to develop applications which they want and in a way they want to use it," said the spokesperson.

The applications coming out from the collaboration with the academic institutions would be multimodal which can be used by any one irrespective of education level, socio-economic barriers and linguistic challenges, he added.

He also said that the applications would be available to the public through open source.

“The collaboration between IIT Bombay and IBM is not only mutually beneficial but also intends to address larger socio-economic challenges.” said Prof. Anirudha Joshi, Associate Professor, IIT Bombay.

Similarly, IBM has joined hands with University of Tokyo, Japan to develop applications that can be easily used by the aging population.

"Japan is a country with a huge number of aging population and for whom using various features of a mobile phone has become a real problem," said the spokesperson.

To make the usage of mobile phones and its features comfortable, IBM and the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo are jointly developing various applications.

"The findings can be extrapolated to other countries having similar situations including India," the spokesperson said.

Source: IBM to Develop Mobile Apps for Rural, Aging Population


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

63 years of Independence , But Senior Citizens deprived of Freedom

Senior Citizens in India to observe 16TH August as BLACK DAY

Senior Citizens’ National Protest Day 16th August 2010


After 63 years of Independence and democracy experiment there are segments of people who are not treated at par with others, there is injustice and discrimination towards them. One of the most neglected and ignored segment is of Senior Citizens. Elders are not considered as part of mainstream, there is unjust treatment to those who gain 60 years of age, and they are suddenly considered ‘Retired’, good for nothing. Government and Civil Society are not bothered of this experienced and skill group of people.

For several decades, Governments at the center and in the states have been neglecting the problems of senior citizens. Just look at the plight of elders and gross indifference of our Rulers:
• Out of 10 crores of older persons, 66% go hungry every day; 90% have no social or health security; 37% are lonely and neglected.
• National Policy on Older Persons – Announced in 1999 – Not a single state has fully implemented this policy so far
• Only 3 states out of 35 have effectively implemented the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act – though three years have passed.
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme implemented by only a few States
• There is no comprehensive medical or health care for old people even after 60 years

Several sincere and serious attempts to get Governments involved and to listen to our problems and demands have failed. Should we take it lying down any more? No, we should make our needs and demands known to public and pressure the Rulers to take notice. Therefore, a Protest Day, on an all India basis, will be observed on August 16. Nearly thirty State and National level organizations connected with senior citizens from all over India are taking part in this massive movement.

There will be protest activities in every city, town, district and Panchayat to highlight the indifferent attitude of the Governments to our concerns and to press our following major demands:
• Health insurance for all Senior Citizens without any age related restriction or that due to pre existing health condition.
• Immediate implementation of the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act all over the Country.
• Cover all BPL inmates of Old Age Homes including the terminally ill under fully subsidized health insurance and pay those eligible the Old Age Pension.
• Truthful and honest implementation of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme all over the Country and payment of minimum of Rs 500/- pension.
• 50% concession in Railway and State Bus fares for all Senior Citizens.
• Exclusive Ministry and National Commission for Older Persons at the Centre.
• As India is Signatory to UN ‘Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002’ we hereby demand to implement/adopt all the principals of Madrid plan in NPOP (National Policy of Older Person).
• Uniform Age of 60 yrs


All senior citizens are requested to actively participate in observing the Protest Day to voice our above demands. What have you to do on the Protest Day?
• Wear a black band through out that day
• Write Post card for Protest to President ,Prime minister, MOSJE, CM’s ,Municipal corporation of state
• Participate in any rally, procession, walkathon, human chain, signature campaign, public meeting, submission of memorandum to local MP’s, MLA’s, etc that may be organized by your local Senior Citizens’ or Pensioners’ Association.

The entire exercise will be peaceful, dignified and devoid of any violence – keeping in line with the expectations of the public from senior citizens. Please contact your local Senior Citizens’/Pensioners’ Association and get to know the programme for the Day.

We request all stake holders including NGO’s, Academicians, Institutions, students and Senior Citizens themselves to come ahead and Protest against the neglect and abuse of Senior Citizens by central and state government.

In Mumbai on 16th August 2010 thousands of Seniors Citizens are going to assemble for Protest Meet at Azda Miadan, near CST station at 2pm to 4pm and submit Memorandum to Chief Minister and Governor for Maharashtra,.



Senior Citizens National Protest Day, Maharashtra Supporting Organization
16th August 2010

1. AISCCON
2. FESCOM
3. Silver Inning Foundation
4. International Longevity Center - India
5. Harmony for Silvers Foundation
6. GIC Pensioners Association
7. The Family Welfare Agency
8. General Insurance Pensioners, All India Federation
9. Brihan Mumbai Pensioners Association
10. All India Bank Retirees Federation
11. Jeevan Adhar Seva Sanstha
12. Dignity Foundation
13. Help Age India
14. Indian Federation of Ageing
15. Shree Ramanugrah Trust
16. All India Retired Reserve Bank Employee Association
17. MTNL Pensioners Workers Associations
18. All India Central Government Pensioners Association
19. Brihan Mumbai Retired Employees Association


Issued by Joint Action Committee for organizing Senior Citizens National Protest Day

On behalf of Joint Action Committee, Mumbai:
Dr.S.P.Kinjawadekar, President AISCCON - 9820639773
Vijay Aundhe – Gen Sec. FESCOM – Mumbai - 9969845225
Keshav Samant, Gen Sec, General Insurance Pensioners All India Federation - 9869279034
Sailesh Mishra,(Coordinator, JAC All India Committee)President, Silver Inning Foundation - 9819819145 .
Email: sailesh2000@gmail.com

Youth for Senior Citizens (YS) :Bridging the gap between youth & elderly

It’s rightly said ‘Young people are god's creation; Old people are work of experience’.

George Bernard Shaw said “Youth is a wonderful thing,”

We believe 'The youth caters for revolutions, The elderly for evolution’.

At Silver Inning Foundation we strongly believe that ‘Youth and Elderly should work together for a Strong Tomorrow’ that’s the reason we have started this community/forum Youth for Senior Citizens (YS) , that aims in Bridging the gap between youth & elderly.

Youth has energy and that needs to be channelize into positive force for welfare and betterment of our elderly. Recent research suggests that youthful energy may not be “wasted” after all. Through social interactions alone, the young can pass some of their vigor on to the elderly, improving the older generation’s cognitive abilities and vascular health and even increasing their life span.

Stress and depression are relieved through social interaction and giver and receiver benefit. It’s said that those who reach out to others to help them bring positive benefits to themselves.

Social and cultural changes in society are giving rise to transitions in intergenerational relations. Both the younger and older generation complain of generation gap and a breakdown in communication between the two. How the young and old judge one another determines whether they can live harmoniously with each other. Their attitudes towards each other and the way they perceive each other needs to be properly understood if the gap needs to be bridged.

There are two broad areas to improve intergenerational relationships. One is to improve the attitudes and relationships of the young, especially the adolescents towards the old. The other is to enable the elderly to understand the perspective and outlook of adolescents and to act as mentors for them.

Promoting interactions between younger and older individuals is one of the goals of Silver Inning Foundation intergenerational programs. Our Intergenerational programs are aimed at dispelling negative attitudes and disparaging stereotypes of aging and foster more positive views of elders.

The study suggests that despite tensions and differences between the two generations, there is some amount of love and care shared by the two generations, which needs to be strengthened. Both need to realize that they cannot try to ‘make over’ the other and change others.

The elderly are our ‘future selves’ and teenagers will themselves be elderly one day and they need to be made sensitive to this.

This project will provide both seniors and youngsters with the unforgettable feeling of making a difference in someone else’s life and lessening the degrees of separation between the elders and youth.

Today there is need to strengthen youth character and creativity through social service and specially for our elderly.


Today’s youth, tomorrow’s senior citizens

So let’s Join Youth for Senior Citizens (YS) and make a difference to ourselves and our Elderly : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-for-Senior-Citizens-YS/140852855945513

7th August 2010


Email: silverinnings@gmail.com
Website: www.silverinningfoundation.org ; www.silverinnings.com
Blog: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/silverinnings
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/silverinnings


The concept idea given by: Mr. SAMAR MAHAPATRA

Senior Citizen's It’s time to STAND UP and FIGHT against ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT by Government

While one freedom struggle ended decades ago, another one rages on. It's time for a truly independent and equitable India that offers all its citizens the same opportunities. And we need you to join hands with us and reach out and touch the life of our Elderly striving for a peace, security & dignity in their silver years.

Senior Citizen's It’s time to STAND UP and FIGHT against ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT by Government.

Will you stand up and fight, this 63rd Independence Day?

Mumbai Marathon 2011- Run & Support Silver Inning Foundation

Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011 : 16th Jan 2011 – Silver Inning Foundation is participating First Time as NGO , support us for the cause of our Elderly.

We have taken pledge to collect Fund of Rs.5 Lakh (Five Lakh India Rupee) to support our ‘ Silver Innings Active Ageing Center’ a Day center for Senior Citizens who are 50+ at Mira Road, near Mumbai ,India.

At Silver Innings we are working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

Silver Inning Foundation was establish to uphold and secure the rights of elderly and actively works towards improving their quality of life by networking, advocating and researching elderly issues and providing a wide range of services. Working for Dementia and Alzheimer’s is one of the focus areas.

Silver Innings Active Ageing Center is a center where Senior Citizens come together for services and an activity that reflects their experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage involvement with the community. As part of Comprehensive community strategy to meet the needs of our elderly, center offers services and activities within the center and link participants with resources offered by other agencies. Center programme includes variety of individual and group services and activities. The center provides our Elderly opportunities to interact with others in the community, and their mental, physical and emotional stimulation through social activities.

If you love and care for your parents and grandparents & also want to invest for your future when we all grow old then support us to make this world elder friendly.

Would you like to be a part of this movement called ‘Silver Innings’ working for Elderly Friendly world....
...If yes, Support Silver Inning Foundation in upcoming Mumbai Marathon 2011....

Run for a Cause of our Elderly, Run in Mumbai Marathon 2011 ... Support Silver Inning Foundation

To know more about us visit:www.silverinnings.com ; www.silverinningfoundation.org

Email: silverinnings@gmail.com
Call us for further details: 9819819145 / 9987104233/ 9029000091


Register here: http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/ ; http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/

PLEASE HURRY as the registration in on full swing and we want more and more people to run for Silver Inning Foundation.Please tell your friends to register and support Silver Inning Foundation through this Marathon.


Dates to remember:
1. Registration for 21 and 42kms has already begun! So hurry if you are interested as this registration gets filled very quickly.
2. If you want to run for the Dream Run (7 kms) register on the 1st of September itself.

Once registered for the run, please forward your registration details to silverinnings@gmail.com , this will help us to print T shirts .

List of Registered NGO’s – pg 9 Silver Inning Foundation
http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/downloads/List%20of%20Registered%20NGOs%20-%20SCMM%202011.pdf



Thanks.
Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
Silver Inning Foundation



Why RUN FOR CHARITY:
World over marathons have been gaining immense importance as fund raising platforms, and the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is no exception. Ever since its inception, charity has been a key pillar of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. In its 7-year journey, the Event has been ideally used as a platform to help generate Rs 42.84 crores benefitting various causes, making it the largest charity generating platform in India.

An event like this is the perfect opportunity to do your bit for charity - it symbolizes community spirit, melts all barriers and provides a unique platform for fund raising.

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011, through various charity raising models, presents an ideal opportunity and platform to bring together the development sector and those who want to support it.


5 reasons why you should support and contribute:
• YOU can choose to support a cause and the NGO closest to heart.
• The Charity Partner will ensure that funds raised by you go to your chosen NGO.
• Running for charity can help raise awareness on the cause it works for.
• The public exposure you will lend by supporting your chosen NGO will help it build a good reputation and encourage people to donate.
• Whatever may be the amount raised by you, your contribution will make a marked difference to your charity and the cause it helps.


If you'd like to get involved and run for charity, here's how:

Charity running places
NGO's who have registered themselves with United Way of Mumbai, Event's official Charity Partner, have taken up set number of running places in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, which they will allocate to runners on the basis that such runners will raise an agreed amount of money for them.

The Dream Team:
This is a special category meant for those highly motivated individuals who feel passionately about a cause and commit to raise a substantial sum of funds towards their charity. http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/charity/dreamteam.php

The Corporate Challenge:
The Corporate Challenge is a category specially designed for companies who wish to sponsor employee teams to participate in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011 and raise funds for charity. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=136 ; http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/charity/corporatechallenge.php

Dream Champion: This category has been created for a select group of Individuals who commit to raise more than Rs. 10 lacs in pledges for a charity of his/her choice. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=139

Dream Wizard : The Dream Wizard is an individual who commits to raise a minimum of Rs. 5 lacs up to Rs. 10 lacs in pledges, for a chosen charity of his/her choice. A Dream Wizard raising amounts in excess of Rs.10 lacs will automatically fall in the category of Dream Champions. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=140

Dream Maker : The Dream Maker is an individual who commits to raise a minimum of Rs. 1 lac upto Rs. 5 lacs in pledges, for a chosen charity of his/her choice. A Dream Maker raising amounts in excess of Rs.5/10 lacs will automatically fall in the category of Dream Wizard/Dream Champion as per the amount raised. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=141


Pledge Raising:
Fund raising through the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, is encouraged through pledges. Pledges are donations/contributions received from friends, family, and colleagues in support of the charity/cause chosen by the fund raiser. http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/charity/pledgeraising.php




People for Social Cause Blog: Mumbai Marathon 2011- Run & Support Silver Inning Foundation

ILC-I instituted B.G Deshmukh awards for Qualitative work in field of Ageing in Maharashtra,India declared

These awards have been instituted to honour the contribution of Shri B. G. Deshmukh,former Cabinet Secretary, GoI & Vice President, ILC-I, for social causes especially in the field of ageing.

The Selection Committee for the awards was chaired by Dr. K. H. Sancheti, the renowned orthopaedic surgeon. Many eminent personalities from Pune were the other members of the Committee.

The awards were distributed on the 3rd of July 10 at the hands of Hon’ble Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari in Pune. Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, President, ILC-I presided over the function. Shri B. G. Deshmukh was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. The other dignitaries who were on the dais were Dr. Arun Nigavekar, Vice President, ILC-I, Mr. Jayant Umranikar, Chairman, ILC-I, Dr. Vinod Shah, President, Janaseva Foundation and Dr. K. H. Sancheti.


The three senior citizens organizations which were given the BG Deshmukh award for “Excellence in Promoting Qualitative Ageing” were-
1. The Jyeshtha Nagrik Sangha, Sangvi.
2. The Sanmitra Jyeshtha Nagrik Sangha, Naupada, Thane.
3. The Jyeshtha Nagrik Sangha, Yavatmal.


The three senior citizens above the age of 70 who were felicitated with the “Jeevan Gaurav Puraskars” for their unique achievements were-
1. Prof. Prabhakar Shankar Joshi(85 years). He became blind after the age of 60. It was then that he wrote a book in Sanskrit on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar- “Bhimayanan”.
2. Shri Ramakant Kulkarni (78 years). Since 1988 he ran a centre in his house for aiding senior citizens who were patients with assistive devices, at a very nominal rate. He also helped many of these patients’ surgeries to be sponsored by well-wishers. He later sold off his house and lives in a room given to him by his friend. The amount of Rs. 18 lakhs was donated by him to the Dnyanprabhodhini Medical Trust.
3. Shri Narayan Krishna Mahajan( 92 years). A true Scout Master of the Bharat Scout Guides Association, he has been an ardent mountaineer and adventurer. He has been para-gliding and climbing the Himalayas, the Sahayadris and is still doing so even at this age. He also has a record in the Limca Book of Records for having been the oldest para-glider at the age of 88 years.


The huge crowds at this function were fully appreciative of the work done by all these seniors and it was a grand success.


The awards were supported by Siporex Ltd., Bank of Maharashtra, Union Bank and the Janaseva Foundation.


About ILC - I:
The Longevity Centre (TLC) which was founded by Dr. S. D. Gokhale, eminent social scientist of international repute on May 4th, 2003 became the International Longevity Centre in April 2004 when it was admitted as the member of the Global Alliance of the International Longevity Centres.
ILC-I is registered as a not-for-profit company under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956.

Today, Dr. Gokhale is the Hon. President of ILC-I. Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, renowned scientist of international fame, is the President of ILC-I.
ILC-I is also fortunate to have Mr. B. G. Deshmukh, former Cabinet Secretary to the Govt. of India, is the Vice President of ILC-I along with Dr. Arun Nigavekar, former Chairman, University Grants Commission.
Dr. Jayant Umranikar, former Director-General of Police, Maharashtra, is the Chairman of ILC-I.

Website: http://ilcindia.org/

Chalo ( march to) AZAD MAIDAN, MUMBAI on 16th August 2010:Senior Citizens NATIONAL PROTEST DAY

Chalo (march to)AZAD MAIDAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mumbai : 'Senior Citizens National Protest Day' 16th August- 2pm - 4pm. Come one ,Come All and support our Elderly.

It’s sad to note that NPOP was formulated in 1999, but till date it has not been implemented by Central Govt. / Pan India, due to various reasons including lack of political will. Various NGO's and activist have been advocating its implementation and review. In this regards a ‘National Protest Day ‘is observed by all NGO’s, Senior Citizen associations/federation and Senior Citizens to press their demands on 16th August 2010.

During these 11 years the world has changed, there has been significant demography change in India's population due globalization and improved medical facility and lifestyle. The fall of joint family system and rise in nuclear family system has brought new dimension to the care and welfare of Elderly. Population of people above 60 years of age is estimated to be 96 million in 2010.The Life span has increased by 60% in 60 yrs. India has today second largest population of Senior Citizens. There is sharp increase in population of Young Old 60yrs to 69 yrs and Old old 80+. Due to this demand and needs of various age groups have changed. Now it is time for civil society and government to rethink their strategy to address the needs of Senior Citizens.

After 63 years of Independence and democracy experiment there are segments of people who are not treated at par with others, there is injustice and discrimination towards them. One of the most neglected and ignored segment is of Senior Citizens. Elders are not considered as part of mainstream, there is unjust treatment to those who gain 60 years of age, and they are suddenly considered ‘Retired’, good for nothing. Government and Civil Society are not bothered of this experienced and skill group of people.

The Indian subcontinent boasts of our ‘Great Joint Family’ ‘The Traditional Family’ System where we used to respect, care and love our elders, our parents. Due to Globalization and New lifestyle there is increasing number of Abuse, Neglect and Abandon case with regards to Senior Citizens. The gradual Urbanization of Rural India is also a new trend to worry.

Over and above a Step Motherly treatment by Federal and State Government is making situation worse for our Elderly. There is ministry for Women, Children, Youth, Environment; there is National Commission for Minority, Women and Human Right etc but the 8% of Elderly are represented by the congested and overloaded Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) .Senior Citizens is only part of NICE in NISD of MSJE.

In a reply to one of the RTI application it was shocking to note that most of the ministry like Finance, Transport, Health, Education were not aware of NPOP, nor there was any concert plan. It is sad to note that still today there is NO uniformity of age for classification of senior citizens between different ministry and state government.

With regards to protection from Law and Social Security there has been no tough initiative. In December 2007 Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act was passed by central government but still it has been not implement by many states and also those state who have implement the act, the local government has not made serious effort to make Tribunals and address the problems. There is need for pan-india political and social will.

A Private and Public partnership can be one way to provide innovation services and products. Psycho and social problems of the elderly needs to be attended urgently.

World over the Concept of Community base services and Ageing in Place is now promoted. The Welfare State concept is loosing its grip as government around the World can’t afford the expense. UN has now accepted the fact the Traditional Family is the best place to Age and best place to provide Care for Aged.

The 13% huge, powerful and unrecognized segment of Senior Citizens voters can’t be left alone, they can’t be ignored. Political Parties has to include projects and programmes for the benefits of Elderly in their respective Manifesto. Government has to address the issues and problem of ever growing population of Elderly.

We request all stake holders including NGO’s, Academicians, Institutions,students and Senior Citizens themselves to come ahead an Protest against the neglect and abuse of Senior Citizens by central and state government. i

As India is Signatory to UN ‘Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002’ we hereby demand to implement/adopt all the principals of Madrid plan in NPOP.

Please remember that “Ageing is not 'lost youth ‘but a new stage of opportunity and strength”.


Maharashtra and Indian government STOP neglect of our Elderly,give peace, security and dignity to Senior Citizens.


Contact:
sailesh2000@gmail.com

Mr.Vijay Aundhe : 9969845225
Dr.Kinjawadekar : 9820639773
Sailesh : 9819819145

Moneylife - Disha: One to one Free Financial counselling for Senior Citizens

Moneylife Foundation in association with Disha Financial Counselling is glad to announce One to one Financial counselling for Senior Citizens starting from 11th August 2010.

A senior counseller from Disha Financial Counselling will be offering Free financial advice (not investment advice) at the Moneylife Foundation office two days a week Wednesday and Friday from 2.00pm to 5.30 pm.


Venue:
Moneylife Foundation
305 Hind Services Industries Premises,
Off Veer Savarkar Marg, Shivaji Park,
Mumbai–400028
Tel: 022-2444 1060/59
Email: mail@mlfoundation.in
Website: www.moneylife.in

Time:
2pm to 5.30pm

Day:
Wednesday and Friday

About:
DISHA Financial Counselling provides valuable advice to help consumers maintain their financial health and well-being and endeavours to assist the vulnerable and disadvantaged consumer in financial crisis by analysing his/her situation, counselling, advising and providing alternatives on best effort basis. For more information, please visit www.dishafc.org.

Moneylife Foundation, started by Moneylife magazine, is a not-for-profit trust and intends to spread financial literacy through workshops, discussions and awareness campaigns; offer advocacy to bring about regulatory changes to protect the rights of investors; and assist in grievance-redressal through counselling and research. For more information, please visit www.moneylife.in.


Silver Inning Foundation urges senior citizens and others to take advantage of the same. Its our networking and advocacy effort,thanks to Sucheta Dalal of Money Life Foundation and '1298' Senior Citizens Helpline.

Moneylife Foundation conducts seminar for senior citizens

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, Moneylife Foundation welcomed over 40 enthusiastic persons to its first workshop, especially customised to the needs of senior citizens. This session took note of how senior citizens are coping in the post-liberalisation economy where their costs have soared so much that their savings have been eaten up by inflation. It touched on issues such as wills, insurance and reverse mortgage products that help those who are 'asset rich' but have a meagre income stream.

Sucheta Dalal (Managing Editor, Moneylife magazine) spoke on 'Safety, Security and Financial Independence for Seniors'.

Debashis Basu (Editor & Publisher, Moneylife magazine) looked at safe investment opportunities, spoke on how to avoid financial mistakes and focussed on the reverse mortgage product in some detail. As always, he advised people to consider index funds as a safer way to participate in the markets and benefit from growth.

Mr Basu also explained the reverse mortgage product in great detail. There was a comparison between the product that was introduced in 2007 and the current one in 2009. The current product has two options. The first option will give more monthly income, but there is no return of purchase price. The second option will give less monthly income, but will return purchase price. The first option is apt for singles who do not want to leave any assets to anyone after death. The second option is apt for couples who want return of purchase price to legal heirs. The 2007 product gave out the least monthly income and hence was unpopular. The 2009 product is a much better one, because it has three-way collaboration between the life insurance sector, the banking sector and the housing finance market. The main drawback is that the monthly income is still taxable. There were a lot of questions from the audience on this topic, as it is a new as well as an interesting concept.

Seniors who attended the session also had the benefit of inputs from two key resource persons - Mr Nagesh Kini (Activist and Chartered Accountant who has audited insurance companies) and Mr Jayesh Desai (Partner of law firm Singhi & Company) - who participated in a very lively discussion on insurance products and the rules governing wills and transmission of assets.

India has nearly 100 million senior citizens but a very limited vision when it comes to senior citizens' issues; policies for senior citizens are announced but not implemented. And, even as they struggle to cope with soaring costs, senior citizens are often financially exploited - most often by family and people they trust - and they struggle to enhance income. A US study shows that 1 out of 5 senior citizens is the target of financial scams.

Ms Dalal warned seniors against investing in unregulated schemes or falling for chain and pyramid marketing schemes. She also spoke about the variety of Internet frauds that ensnare people, especially those who are unaware about how the Internet is prone to abuse. Ms Dalal also explained the difference between retirement communities versus old age homes, since the former are fast becoming an attractive option, with great facilities for seniors who are financially comfortable.

She also pointed out that senior citizens must use their experience and skills to consider a second job either as a source of revenue or as contribution to society. It was pointed out that many organisations were happy to offer flexible timings to seniors to benefit from their expertise.

Another issue that came up for discussion was the steep 500% hike in insurance premium by Reliance General. One audience member had purchased a Reliance policy for his parents three years back. It was becoming difficult to change the insurance company because the insured parents were now over 65 years old, hence it was difficult to get a new policy. There was also a discussion on insurers taking away cashless facilities from certain hospitals.

Read More:
Moneylife Foundation conducts seminar for senior citizens - Moneylife: Personal Finance Magazine

Open letter to NPOP Review Committee Chairman and Government of India for welfare and benefit of Senior Citizens

(This letter was submitted at Mumbai Meet)

Date: 23rd July 2010

To,
The Chairperson,
NPOP Review Committee,
New Delhi

Dear Smt. Mohini Giri,

We take this opportunity to congratulate you and government of India for taking initiative after 11 years to review/implement NPOP.

But it’s also sad to note that NPOP was formulated in 1999, but till date it has not been implemented by Central Govt. / Pan India, due to various reasons including lack of political will. Various NGO's and activist have been advocating its implementation and review. In this regards a ‘National Protest Day ‘is observed by all NGO’s, Senior Citizen associations/federation and Senior Citizens to press their demands on 16th August 2010.

During these 11 years the world has changed, there has been significant demography change in India's population due globalization and improved medical facility and lifestyle. The fall of joint family system and rise in nuclear family system has brought new dimension to the care and welfare of Elderly. Population of people above 60 years of age is estimated to be 96 million in 2010.The Life span has increased by 60% in 60 yrs. India has today second largest population of Senior Citizens. There is sharp increase in population of Young Old 60yrs to 69 yrs and Old old 80+. Due to this demand and needs of various age groups have changed. Now it is time for civil society and government to rethink their strategy to address the needs of Senior Citizens.

After 63 years of Independence and democracy experiment there are segments of people who are not treated at par with others, there is injustice and discrimination towards them. One of the most neglected and ignored segment is of Senior Citizens. Elders are not considered as part of mainstream, there is unjust treatment to those who gain 60 years of age, and they are suddenly considered ‘Retired’, good for nothing. Government and Civil Society are not bothered of this experienced and skill group of people.


Read in detail:
People for Social Cause Blog: Open letter to NPOP Review Committee Chairman and Government of India for welfare and benefit of Senior Citizens