When Hiren Mehta started managing a day care program for seniors in Mumbai , he had certain ideas about what older India wanted. "We used to have spiritual discourses and old movies here originally," he says in his office next to a temple off a bustling side street in South Mumbai. "Then they said we don't want old movies. We want sexy ones like the young people watch." Mehta spiced up the movie selection and also added salsa classes. It is not my grandmother's India anymore.
Harmony Foundation, which runs the day care center does not even call them seniors. It calls them Silvers. Every year they give out the Silver Awards for exceptionally active seniors. Mehta showed me a calendar with the 2009 winners. Bhausaheb Thorat, 84, launched one of India's most massive tree plantation drives. Kambel Chulai, 69, designed eco-friendly crematoriums to help conserve trees. "Old age does not mean you have to just go to the hospital or the temple," says Mehta. "We want to celebrate age."
That is taking some adjusting all round. 80 million Indians are already over 60. But they are just starting to understand the power of those numbers. "We are not an organized sector," complains M R Parasuram sitting in his air-conditioned office in Bangalore. "We must show how much of a vote we command." Parasuram is 79. A retired industrialist, he comes to his home office every day at 10 am in a crisp shirt and tie. "I am still following the British style," he says with a smile. These days Parasuram is not running his business anymore. Instead he runs the Federation of Senior Citizen Forums, which tries to be a nodal agency for some 130-odd organizations scattered around the state working with senior citizens. "I have done donkey's work for 50 years. My children are settled. Now I have told them not to come to me for money," says Parasuram. "Now I earn the money. And I spend the money."
All of this is new territory for India. Though the welfare of older citizens is written into the Indian constitution, it is mostly on paper. For the lucky, old age was about grandchildren and religious hymns. For the unlucky, it meant being warehoused in one of the government's dreary homes for the aged or even cast out on the streets. But now a growing number of India's seniors are starting to take their future into their own hands.
Read More:The Silver Generation: India's elderly: Rediff.com India News
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
HelpAge India’s ‘Report on Elder Abuse in India” brings out some startling facts marking WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY 2010
June 15, New Delhi (National).
Today, on the “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” (which falls on June 15), HelpAge India, the nation’s premier charity working for the elderly brought out some startling facts from a study it conducted across 8 cities in India on Elder Abuse.
The methodology of the study was primarily through HelpAge India’s network of Senior Citizen Associations and individuals. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. The main survey was quantitative with structured interviews among elderly men and women in the age group of 60+ years primarily among the educated middle class. A sample size of 800 (approx.) was carried out in 8 cities with 100 per city (approx.). The 8 cities were: Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai, Patna and Hyderabad.
The qualitative component included In Depth Interviews carried out with respondent * such as Legal Experts, members of Senior Citizen Associations, Police Officers, Medical Experts, Social Welfare Officer, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Psychologists, Corporate and Individual donors.
One fifth of the elderly did not know what constitutes abuse and among those that were aware, more than one third felt elder abuse constitutes: from feeling disrespected to verbal abuse, economic abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and physical abuse. Topping the kinds of abuse faced was: 40.2% elderly felt disrespected, followed by verbal abuse (37.8%), neglect, economic abuse (28.2%), emotional abuse (25.8%) and physical abuse (14.1%).
Bhopal had the highest percentage of elderly who faced abuse (79.3 %) and Delhi came out as the good city with the lowest (15.4%). Physical abuse was the highest in Kolkata (22.8%), Hyderabad (21.7%), Mumbai (21%) & Ahmedabad (20%) in comparison to other cities.
44% elders consider Neglect as a form of abuse and of those abused, 33.7% stated that they faced neglect. Topping the reasons for Neglect stated by the elders was that family members were too preoccupied with their own lives & work.
Nearly 50% of elders live with their sons (49.5%) and of those that are financially dependent - 57% are dependent on their sons. Of those facing abuse, 53.6 % of the elderly stated, they were abused by their own son followed by a close second by their daughter-in-law (43.3%).In Delhi, Domestic help was another source with 19% elderly feeling abused by them.
The reasons for taking no action against abuser were mainly: the belief that nothing concrete will happen, second a sense of shame in the community, followed by fear of further abuse.
53.4% elderly took no action when faced with abuse and 25.5% elderly prefer to discuss it with family or community to resolve matters.
33% of those that registered a complaint against the abuser felt nothing concrete came out of it. Maximum number of the senior citizens felt that the elderly should be given protection by law enforcing agencies followed by home visits. Close to two fifth (38%) of the elderly perceive the role of police and lawyers as non supportive.
The main context of abuse was Property (35.4%) followed by Lack of Emotional Support (30.2%). The percentage of elderly who owned property was highest on Delhi (68.3%), Patna (68%) and Bhopal (62.1%). The main source of income for most elderly was their Pension (45 %) with Delhi once again topping the list with 62%.
Nearly one third each of the elderly reported facing abuse because of lack of emotional support (30%) and lack of basic necessities (29%).
A large number of elderly are unaware of existing laws to protect them, with only one third of the elderly (33%) being aware. The awareness of laws and programmes is highest in Delhi (53.8%) followed by Mumbai (44.7%) and Kolkata (40.3%). The awareness level is lowest in Bhopal (8%).
‘Having steady cash flow’, ‘making adjustments within family’ and ‘having own property to reduce economic dependency’ are the major measures suggested by the elderly to control elder abuse.
The qualitative study respondents* suggested that families need to interact with one another and maintain harmony and peaceful relationships to control elder abuse. The children and the elderly both need to make adjustments. Donors feel that civil society needs to be made more aware of the issue of elder abuse. To facilitate this, the Corporates are willing to support the cause as they believe that they are part of the society and it is their social obligation to participate in social issues.
HelpAge India feels that Awareness about Elder Abuse is the first concrete step in tackling the problem. Awareness of what it constitutes, of the laws available to tackle it and most importantly open and healthy dialogues between people though discussions, forums, educational mediums among other things.
ABOUT HELPAGE INDIA
HelpAge India is a leading humanitarian, development and campaign organization working with and for older people in India for the more than 30 years. It advocates strongly for their cause and supports & also runs age care programmes throughout the country to make lasting improvements in the lives of disadvantaged older persons. It strongly believes in the potential of the elderly and their undeniable contribution to society. It also advises & facilitates the government in formation of policy related to the elderly. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
For more info contact:
Sonali Sharma: 9810676562
SALIENT FINDINGS:
1. The mean age of the elderly across the cities is 68 years. More than half of the elderly in Kolkata (54%) are of 70+ years.
2. Three fourth (74%) of the elderly are currently married, while one fifth (23%) are divorced.
3. The mean number of children the elderly have is 3, with 2 sons and 1 daughter in all cities except Hyderabad, Kolkata and Patna where it is 4.
4. Half of the elderly stay with son, while one fourth (27%) stay with spouse. One tenth (10%) of the elderly are living alone and their children come to visit them.
5. Emotional abuse was reported more in Delhi (62%) and Kolkata (54%).
6. Four fifth (82%) of the elderly are literates with one fifth (19%) and one tenth (13%) being Graduates and Post Graduates respectively. Close to one fifth (18%) of the elderly are illiterate.
7. Half (51%) of the elderly own property and this is highest in Delhi (68%) and Patna (68%) and lowest in Hyderabad (28%) and Kolkata (36%).
8. As regards the last main occupation, 26% of the elderly were homemakers, while 19% were working as unskilled workers.
9. One fifth of the elderly are currently engaged in economic activity.
10. More than two fifth (45%) of the elderly currently economically active are self employed/ professionals. Nearly one fifth of the elderly are shop owners.
11. The average monthly household income of the elderly is Rs. 12,045. About three fifth (59%) of the elderly have a monthly household income of less than Rs 10,000.
12. More than two fifth (45%) of the elderly have pension as the main source of income and one fifth get income from interest on savings and fixed deposits.
13. Close to three fourth (73%) of the elderly are living in their own house while 18% are living in a rented place.
14. More than two fifth (46%) of the elderly are financially dependent on others, with highest being reported in Chennai (63%) and Kolkata (61%).
15. More than half (57%) of the elderly are financially dependent on their son and around one fourth are dependent on their spouse.
16. More than two fifth (44%) of the elderly consider negligence as elder abuse.
17. More than one third each of the elderly feel that elder abuse constitutes emotional abuse (39%), verbal abuse (37%), economic abuse (35%), showing disrespect (34%) and physical abuse (34%).
18. About one third (35%) of the elderly feel neglected with 21% of the elderly in the age group of 60-69 years feeling so.
19. Feeling of being neglected stems from the family related factors such as family members not spending time and not interacting.
20. More than two fifth (46%) of the elderly reported that the family members are busy with their own work/lives and thus neglect them.
21. The elderly faced various types of abuse with showing disrespect being the most common form of abuse followed by verbal abuse, neglect, economic abuse and emotional abuse.
22. More than one third (36%) of the elderly have experienced any type of abuse with this being reported highest in Bhopal (79%) followed by Chennai (59%) and Kolkata (44%) and lowest in Delhi (15.4%).
23. Abuse in terms of showing disrespect was reported more in Chennai (71%) and Kolkata (54%).
24. Verbal abuse was reported more in Mumbai (79%), Ahmedabad (57%) and Kolkata (53%).
25. Physical abuse was reported more in Kolkata (23%), Hyderabad (22%), Mumbai (21%) and Ahmedabad (20%).
26. Abuse is reported more from the family members, with son and daughter in law emerging as the major abusers.
27. Abuse by son was reported most in Bhopal (70%) followed by Patna (57%), and Kolkata (54%).
28. Abuse by domestic help was reported more in Delhi (19%) and Ahmedabad (13%).
29. One third (35%) of the elderly faced abuse due to property issues.
30. Nearly one third each of the elderly reported facing abuse because of lack of emotional support (30%) and lack of basic necessities (29%).
31. Half (53%) of the elderly did not take any action when they faced abuse. This is reported highest in Chennai (80%), Bhopal (69%) and Ahmedabad (62%).
32. Most (92%) of the elderly did not register any complaint against the abuser.
33. Among the elderly who registered complaint, 33% reported that nothing concrete came out of it, while 27% reported about the police carried out home visit, as a result of the complaint.
34. Nearly half of the elderly (48%) are willing to take concrete action against abuse in future.
35. Unwillingness to take any action against abuse stems from the perception among the elderly that - ‘nothing concrete will happen’ if any action is taken, followed by a sense of shame in the community and fear of further abuse.
36. Awareness about laws, policies and programmes against elder abuse is low among the elderly.
37. One third (33%) of the elderly are aware of existing laws and programmes against elder abuse.
38. Among the Elderly who are aware of the laws, policies and programmes, majority (88%) are aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen’s Act, (56%) of the elderly are aware of the National Policy on Older Persons, (67%) are aware of the Protection for Women against Domestic Violence Act.
39. Awareness of the law enforcing agencies is low as only one fifth of the elderly (18%) are aware of these.
40. Close to two fifth (38%) of the elderly perceive the role of police and lawyers as non supportive in tackling abuse.
41. One fourth of the elderly (26%) did not know about the role of the law enforcing agencies in controlling elder abuse.
42. More than one fourth (27%) of the elderly are of the view that the Police is not equipped to handle cases of elder abuse.
43. The major measures to be taken up by the law enforcing agencies suggested by the elderly include ‘giving protection’ and ‘carrying out home visits’.
44. It was also suggested that the Police should assist the elderly in getting maintenance from the children under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen’s Act.
45. ‘Having steady cash flow’, ‘making adjustments within family’ and ‘having own property to reduce economic dependency’ are the major measures suggested by the elderly to control elder abuse.
Silver Inning Foundation thanks Helpage India for this excellent report and supports the fight to STOP Elder Abuse.
World Elder Abuse Day- Abuse by Governments : Senior Citizen warns government of India
15-6-2010 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 98 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 11 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
Ministry of Social Justice entrusted to implement this Policy feels that Policy is for guidance only! All other Ministries believe that they are not concerned with Policy and only Nodal Ministry has to deal with the subject!! Only 6 States & UT’s, out of 35 States and UT’s, have so far accepted [not implemented ! ] this Policy,99. Remaining 29 States/UTs have not even taken cognizance of it. Even out of the 6 States/UTs, none has really implemented it to any considerable level!!
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is implemented partially in only three States in three years! Senior Citizens in 32 States and UT’s are still deprived of its benefits.
No State/UT has made any progress for providing Old Age Homes in each District, as mandated in MWPS Act, 2007.
Today the poorest among poor are Senior Citizens. The worst sufferers are the very old that is 65+ belonging to BPL category. 70% of them live in villages and survive by doing physical labour. They are miserable because they are unable to do hard work because of age related disabilities. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme assured them minimum of Rs 400 per month pension which would have made their last few years little comfortable, but it was not to be. Out of 35 States and UT’s, 24 have not bothered to look at this scheme. Among 11 which claim to have implemented it, it has become an instrument for extending political favour and majority of eligible are excluded. In Andhra Pradesh only Rs 200/- are paid and that too through self appointed community leaders and Panchayats, who pass on only Rs 100/- to Rs 150/-. Our random surveys showed that more than 50% of elders were deprived even of this.
Recently, three budgets were announced, Railway, Central and States but no Minister even mentioned about existence of 9 crore Senior Citizens. None of their demands was conceded though all the demands were simple and were driven only by considerations of social justice.
There is no Health or Social Security in most of the States/UTs. Though we have shown on paper that the cost of covering the 9% Senior Citizens under Health Insurance on the lines of Aarogyasri in AP will be negligible compared to other cost items, yet no action is taken on this proposal.
As on now only 5 out of 35 States & UTs [28 States + 7 UT’s] provide some sort of health cover to BPL category; the APL Senior Citizens are still left high and dry without any health security, whatsoever.
Our repeated demand for 50% concession in railways [for male Senior Citizens] has been ignored every time. Special suburban trains are run for ladies & separate coach is provided for handicaps but nothing is being done to provide separate coach for Senior Citizens. Similarly 50% concession in State Bus services has been turned down by all States except a very few progressive States. Grant of 2% higher interest rates on our savings was not even considered.
The Senior Citizens were ignored not for the first time. It was fourth time in a row. We have been facing this type of neglect not only in Budgets but even in the redressal of our legitimate concerns and the execution of our welfare schemes. Extremely poor response in most of the States to execution of various welfare schemes is an indication of their indifference towards us.
Frustrated Senior Citizens in all over the country have decided to observe 16th August 2010 as National Protest Day to highlight their grievances to the Governments, World Organizations, Society & Media and request on this World Elder Abuse Day to stop our Abuse & look towards us as their Elders, who have worked hard to get Freedom, Present Prosperity & Progress.
M.V.Ruparelia
mvrup@yahoo.co.in
M:9821732855
Silver Inning Foundation support this appeal and demand Rights for Elders. Stop Elder Abuse.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 98 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 11 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
Ministry of Social Justice entrusted to implement this Policy feels that Policy is for guidance only! All other Ministries believe that they are not concerned with Policy and only Nodal Ministry has to deal with the subject!! Only 6 States & UT’s, out of 35 States and UT’s, have so far accepted [not implemented ! ] this Policy,99. Remaining 29 States/UTs have not even taken cognizance of it. Even out of the 6 States/UTs, none has really implemented it to any considerable level!!
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is implemented partially in only three States in three years! Senior Citizens in 32 States and UT’s are still deprived of its benefits.
No State/UT has made any progress for providing Old Age Homes in each District, as mandated in MWPS Act, 2007.
Today the poorest among poor are Senior Citizens. The worst sufferers are the very old that is 65+ belonging to BPL category. 70% of them live in villages and survive by doing physical labour. They are miserable because they are unable to do hard work because of age related disabilities. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme assured them minimum of Rs 400 per month pension which would have made their last few years little comfortable, but it was not to be. Out of 35 States and UT’s, 24 have not bothered to look at this scheme. Among 11 which claim to have implemented it, it has become an instrument for extending political favour and majority of eligible are excluded. In Andhra Pradesh only Rs 200/- are paid and that too through self appointed community leaders and Panchayats, who pass on only Rs 100/- to Rs 150/-. Our random surveys showed that more than 50% of elders were deprived even of this.
Recently, three budgets were announced, Railway, Central and States but no Minister even mentioned about existence of 9 crore Senior Citizens. None of their demands was conceded though all the demands were simple and were driven only by considerations of social justice.
There is no Health or Social Security in most of the States/UTs. Though we have shown on paper that the cost of covering the 9% Senior Citizens under Health Insurance on the lines of Aarogyasri in AP will be negligible compared to other cost items, yet no action is taken on this proposal.
As on now only 5 out of 35 States & UTs [28 States + 7 UT’s] provide some sort of health cover to BPL category; the APL Senior Citizens are still left high and dry without any health security, whatsoever.
Our repeated demand for 50% concession in railways [for male Senior Citizens] has been ignored every time. Special suburban trains are run for ladies & separate coach is provided for handicaps but nothing is being done to provide separate coach for Senior Citizens. Similarly 50% concession in State Bus services has been turned down by all States except a very few progressive States. Grant of 2% higher interest rates on our savings was not even considered.
The Senior Citizens were ignored not for the first time. It was fourth time in a row. We have been facing this type of neglect not only in Budgets but even in the redressal of our legitimate concerns and the execution of our welfare schemes. Extremely poor response in most of the States to execution of various welfare schemes is an indication of their indifference towards us.
Frustrated Senior Citizens in all over the country have decided to observe 16th August 2010 as National Protest Day to highlight their grievances to the Governments, World Organizations, Society & Media and request on this World Elder Abuse Day to stop our Abuse & look towards us as their Elders, who have worked hard to get Freedom, Present Prosperity & Progress.
M.V.Ruparelia
mvrup@yahoo.co.in
M:9821732855
Silver Inning Foundation support this appeal and demand Rights for Elders. Stop Elder Abuse.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
TISS Diploma in Gerontology (Work with Older Adults) 2010: Creating a professional cadre to work for Elderly
THE ELDERLY DESERVE BETTER
Let us join hands to create a professional cadre of workers to provide services for Senior Citizens.
Centre for Lifelong Learning TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES is offering a Diploma in Gerontology (Work with Older Adults) Starting from 18th June, 2010.
The one year course will be offered on Fridays (5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) on Saturdays (10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.)
The dates for the applications are extended till July 1, 2010.
The Programme is for graduate adult learners above the age of 25 years and is certified by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
- Special fee and preference for those above 55 years.
- Detailed information and the application form can be downloaded from the website: www.tiss.edu
For further details, please contact:
Section Officer – Short Term Programmes
Tel: 2552 5000 (General)
2552 5252 / 2552 5253 (Direct)
E-mail: stp@tiss.edu / cll.tiss@tiss.edu
For more info on syllabus: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2010/04/one-year-diploma-in-gerontology-2010-11.html
A Concept Note on the Study of Older Adults (Gerontology)
Gerontology is a study of late Adulthood and of Older Adults as a special group. Gerontologists are concerned with understanding the many aspects of ageing right from cellular processes involved in improving quality of life of older people. An interdisciplinary approach is not only appropriate but necessary, given the complex health and mental health, social and economic concerns of Older Adults.
In 1989, sociologist and demographer, Alfred Savvy said that “The 21st century will be the century of ageing of mankind”. The elderly population in India is second largest in the world (Approx. 90 million), next only to China.
Throughout the 20th century, the proportion of people aged over 60 has increased in all countries of the world. This is also referred to as population ageing. Population ageing all over the world is the result of human victory over death and diseases as well as unwanted child bearing. According to the World Bank, due to improvement in mortality figures and decline in fertility levels, in the 20th century, Older population across major regions of the world except Africa has been growing at a rate faster than ever before. It is only since the last century that a sizable proportion of population has survived to experience old age. This extension of life has the potential to enrich society provided the wisdom and experience of Older Adults is integrated into life and living. As a consequence, in our time Ageing has become an important issue.
India, with a great deal of heterogeneity and diversity, has to face the challenge of ensuring that needs of Older Adults are adequately met especially with reference to their: health and nutrition; work and finance; security; property and housing; sensitization of family and community towards elderly issues; protection from neglect, violence and destitution (elder abuse); self-fulfillment; death with dignity. It is necessary that these are fulfilled as rights and not as charity.
Centre for Lifelong Learning
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Website: www.tiss.edu
Blog: http://www.centreforlifelonglearningtiss.blogspot.com
International Training Programme in Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation & Monitoring of the Madrid International Plan of Action - Oct 2010
The International Institute on Ageing, United Nations – Malta, for the third consecutive year, will be organising an International Training Programme in Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation and Monitoring of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. This is going to be held in Malta, between 11th – 22nd October 2010.
Read more: People for Social Cause Blog: International Training Programme in Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation & Monitoring of the Madrid International Plan of Action - Oct 2010
Read more: People for Social Cause Blog: International Training Programme in Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation & Monitoring of the Madrid International Plan of Action - Oct 2010
Senior Citizens NATIONAL PROTEST DAY: AUGUST 16, 2010, India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, STOP ELDER ABUSE
Senior Citizens, in spite of their number, collective wisdom & experience will continue to be ignored and marginalized, unless they unite – Kofi Annan
Today Indian population of Senior Citizen’s is more than 96 million , around 9% of a total population of our Country, According to one survey 66% of them cannot afford two square meals a day, 90% of them have no social or health security, 73% are illiterate and can only survive by doing physical labour, and 37% are lonely cursing their age.
Indian Government is signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002 when it committed to halve the old age poverty by 2015 but the reverse seems to be happening. According to another estimate while the population of BPL (Below Poverty Line) category has gone down below 22% , that in case of the Older Persons has exceeded 66%. This segment thus is becoming larger and larger at the same time is getting poorer and poorer. The poorest among the poor are Senior Citizens.
All this is happening because of the gross neglect and ignorance by our rulers of concerns and problems of Elderly. You will agree with the fact that our elders have waited for years on end to get attention from our rulers but all that they have received is indifference towards elder issues. While Senior Citizens are keen to play role in the development of the Country and the activities for the welfare of community, they are also demanding that their concerns must be addressed.
To address various issue and neglect of Elderly a Joint Action Committee has been set up for Organizing Senior Citizens' National Protest Day on August 16, 2010.
August 16th is going to be one of the historic day for Elderly in India, more than 25 national and state organizations & gerontologist, social activist working for Senior Citizens have come together and have set up a United Front to fight for basic rights of elderly.
Read in Detail:People for Social Cause Blog: Senior Citizens NATIONAL PROTEST DAY: AUGUST 16, 2010, India
Senior Citizens, in spite of their number, collective wisdom & experience will continue to be ignored and marginalized, unless they unite – Kofi Annan
Today Indian population of Senior Citizen’s is more than 96 million , around 9% of a total population of our Country, According to one survey 66% of them cannot afford two square meals a day, 90% of them have no social or health security, 73% are illiterate and can only survive by doing physical labour, and 37% are lonely cursing their age.
Indian Government is signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002 when it committed to halve the old age poverty by 2015 but the reverse seems to be happening. According to another estimate while the population of BPL (Below Poverty Line) category has gone down below 22% , that in case of the Older Persons has exceeded 66%. This segment thus is becoming larger and larger at the same time is getting poorer and poorer. The poorest among the poor are Senior Citizens.
All this is happening because of the gross neglect and ignorance by our rulers of concerns and problems of Elderly. You will agree with the fact that our elders have waited for years on end to get attention from our rulers but all that they have received is indifference towards elder issues. While Senior Citizens are keen to play role in the development of the Country and the activities for the welfare of community, they are also demanding that their concerns must be addressed.
To address various issue and neglect of Elderly a Joint Action Committee has been set up for Organizing Senior Citizens' National Protest Day on August 16, 2010.
August 16th is going to be one of the historic day for Elderly in India, more than 25 national and state organizations & gerontologist, social activist working for Senior Citizens have come together and have set up a United Front to fight for basic rights of elderly.
Read in Detail:People for Social Cause Blog: Senior Citizens NATIONAL PROTEST DAY: AUGUST 16, 2010, India
Friday, June 11, 2010
3rd Annual Essay Competition on Elder Abuse :LAST DATE EXTENDED 25TH June 2010
On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2010, Silver Inning Foundation, a ‘Not for Profit’ dedicated organization for senior citizens and their family members will be commemorating Elder Abuse Day on 15th June’2010. It has taken the initiative to create awareness among civil society and Government to eliminate elder abuse at both micro and macro level.
SILVER INNING FOUNDATION invites an Essay of maximum 2000 words in following category and topics:
1) For all age group:
‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’
2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th:
“My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”
3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :
'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'
The Last date for submission of Essay is 25th June 2010.
Email your essay on or before 25th June 2010 to info@silverinnings.com and copy to silverinnings@gmail.com .
The winners will be announced online by email after 15th July 2010. For further information please call on Tel no. 09987104233 – Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.
Read in detail: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2010/05/3rd-annual-essay-competition-2010.html
SILVER INNING FOUNDATION invites an Essay of maximum 2000 words in following category and topics:
1) For all age group:
‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’
2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th:
“My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”
3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :
'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'
The Last date for submission of Essay is 25th June 2010.
Email your essay on or before 25th June 2010 to info@silverinnings.com and copy to silverinnings@gmail.com .
The winners will be announced online by email after 15th July 2010. For further information please call on Tel no. 09987104233 – Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.
Read in detail: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2010/05/3rd-annual-essay-competition-2010.html
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