JAC of Senior Citizens Demands for BMC Elections 2022

 Joint Action Committee (JAC) Press Conference was held on 8th June 2022 at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Mumbai.

Silver Shakti!!!!!!!!

To make the 'Silver Voices' heard loud and clear and to make the 'Silver Presence' in society graceful and dignified; we have formed the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of various Organizations, NGOs working for Senior Citizens, researchers and academicians dedicated to the cause of elderly in Mumbai.  The Committee will strive to work with the BMC and various Political Parties to mainstream the special needs and demands of senior citizens.  We demand all Political parties to include issues of Senior Citizens in their Election Manifesto, as they are not only an important vote bank but also the important stakeholders with an estimated 25% of the Voting Population. If the Political Parties and Leaders fail to meet our Demands, we as the Powerful Vote bank will be forced to use NOTA in the upcoming BMC Elections.

A report released by the Ministry of Statistics, GOI in March 2019 said that the number of citizens over the age of 60 jumped by 35.5 per cent — from 7.6 crore in 2001 to 10.3 crore in 2011. In the upcoming elections, this population will be a major factor in deciding who comes to power. In Maharashtra, Senior citizens form around 10% of state population, which comes to an estimated 1.30 crore of Maharashtra’s and in Mumbai itself constitutes approximately 15 lakhs. 

The right to vote is the foundation of any democracy. The vote represents the voice of people and is therefore a powerful tool to exercise to bring about a change in their city and their country as a whole. Senior Citizen are Committed Voters and understand the importance of voting and engage in the process to become egalitarianism warriors in their own communities. Issues such as health care, medical facilities, prices of medicines, pensions, Shelter, retirement schemes and transportation, special attention for poor and homeless, will be upper most in the minds of the older people. To make sure that their needs are met and concerns are heard is the very need of the hour. 

Based on constitutional and legal provisions, Government of India and Maharashtra state government has formulated various policies and devised various programmes for the elders including National Policy for the Older Persons 1999 and Maharashtra Senior Citizens Policy 2013 and subsequently in 2018. However, these have remained only on Paper. After advocacy and constant struggle by Senior Citizens Originations from 2010 to 2013, The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on 5th August 2013 through its Resolution no. 622 cleared the Senior Citizens Policy in its general body meeting, which is first such policy by any Municipal Corporation in the country. This policy, which includes the provision of day care facilities and recreation grounds for them in every municipal ward as also medical helpline services and amenities in open spaces, was announced on 2013.  Further benefits included in the policy are, dedicated spaces for senior citizens in large housing complexes, library with books on spirituality and health, and ramps, railings at public toilets. Senior citizens would also be provided specialized healthcare at select civic hospitals for hypertension, diabetes, loss of vision and other ailments.  For the first phase of implementation, BMC had agreed to form a committee headed by the then Mayor Sunil Prabhu.

But it is with great regret and disappointment we note that a pittance of the expected work has been done by BMC after announcement of this Policy. A few Day care facilities and a few Nana Nani parks have been set up only at the whims and fancies of the Councilors. To make it worse there is no Budgetary provision has been made for the implementation of the Policy. It is shameful to state that an RTI filed for details of expenditure has received no response.

Based on the recommendations of the United Nations to which India is a signatory and the policies for senior citizens to which Central and State Governments have committed, the JAC demands the following:

                            I Finance and Planning  

a) Make a definite budgetary provision for the welfare and security of elders in the Senior Citizens policy, allocate 10% of BMC budget to Senior Citizens Policy 

b) Raise CSR funds for effective Implementation of initiatives for elders 

c) Corporators need to spend minimum 10% of their allocated funds for the welfare of Senior Citizens 

d) Form ‘Senior Citizens Policy Committee’ at HQ as well as at all the 24 administrative wards for Planning and Implementation. Senior Citizens Policy Committee’ to meet regularly for monitoring and evaluating implementation and progress of initiatives.  

e) Permanent Office for ‘BMC Senior Citizens Bhavan’ at a central, convenient accessible location.

f) Appointment of a Nodal Officer at the rank of Joint Commissioner/ Deputy Commissioner to monitor the progress of the implementation of the policies and programmes as well as to address the grievances of the senior citizens

g) The Community Development Officer (C.D.O.) / Social Worker at BMC to work on Seniors program, projects awareness, planning, implementation 

II Health Care and Nutrition - Health care should be affordable and accessible to all senior citizens 

a) Free medical treatment for all senior citizens at all Government Hospitals and Primary Health Center 

b) Establishment of a Geriatric ward at every Government hospital. Appoint Geriatric Expert / Doctors in all BMC hospitals

c) 'Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana' to be implemented at all hospitals and specially for Elders with no documents and homeless

d) Free / Subsidized Medicines / Generic Medicine to be made available

e) Reserve 10% bed for Geriatric population in private hospitals / nursing homes

f) Introduce the WHO Recommended Adult Vaccination Programme. Priority to senior citizens in all Vaccinations and Health Care initiatives

g) OPD special section / desk for Seniors / Display of Notice board at every hospitals of available facilities for Seniors  

h) Free / Subsidized Diagnosis at Government hospitals and clinics

i) MMC (Mobile Medical Clinic) for elders living in poor communities and elders below BPL

j) Wellness and Prevention program like Yoga, Alternative Therapies, AYUSH, Health camps for Seniors

k) Mental Health Screening in collaboration with BMC Hospitals 

l) MID Day Meal to be extended to poor seniors. To initiate GOI POSHAN Abhiyaan / Shiv Bhojan like scheme 

III   Shelter and Welfare: 

a) Multipurpose Senior Citizens Full Day Care Centre

b) Dementia Day Care Centre 

c) Respite Stay Centre

d) Homeless Elders Night Shelter

e) Policy for protection of Senior citizens during natural and manmade disasters  

f) Specific spaces and facilities to be reserved in Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), SRA and MHADA for Senior Citizens - Day Care Centres

                   IV    Protection of life and property of Senior Citizens

a) Legal Aid Cell to work on issues and problems faced by the elders

b) Special concession in Water and Property tax for Old Age Homes and Seniors Day Care Centers 

c) Provision to establish BMC Retired person's special cell  

d) Involve NSS and Civil Defense officers and volunteers for Safety and Security of Seniors

e) Special Call Center for Senior Citizens issues  

V Accessibility, transport and Age friendly environment

a) Application of WHO Global Age-friendly Cities Guidelines to city planning

b) Accessible, affordable and safe public transport

c) Age-friendly driving conditions and parking facilities

d) Age-friendly buildings, pavements and walkways, safe pedestrian crossings and adequate rest areas

e) Affordable, well-designed and safe housing 

f) Auto, Taxi, Water Transport to be sensitize towards Seniors

g) Special Concession and Travel arrangement for Senior Citizens in BMC Buses 

h) Age Friendly, Accessible Public Washroom and Sanitation 

VI Capacity Building and Visibility

a) Training of Caregivers, Para Professionals, Medical professionals  

b) Mandatory Celebration of Days of Senior Citizens : 15th June World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; 21st September World Alzheimer's Day  and 1st October World Elders Day  

c) Training and Sensitization of Senior Citizens Associations towards formation, management, of Trust / Society and various program and schemes of BMC

d) To give visibility to BMC Senior Citizens program and projects through Print, Audio Visual and social media 

e) To strengthen research and documentation in social gerontology

We the Senior Citizens of this City, State and Country are Responsible Citizens; we have wisdom, experience and time, we are asset to the Society, we are always willing to help government and authorities for welfare of society at large, we need Independence, Freedom, Security and Dignity; we can’t be ignored or neglected any more. We expect that we will see the importance of senior citizens and their demands in the election manifesto of your party and your candidates.

JAC Spokespersons for Coordination:

Dr. Rekha Bhatkhande  - Spokespersons

Vijay Aundhe - Spokespersons 

Prakash Borgaonkar - Spokespersons 

Adv. Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar - Spokesperson

Sailesh Mishra - Coordinator

LIST OF JAC MEMBERS:

1. Adhata Trust

2. All India Bank Retirees Federation  

3. All India Central Government Pensioners Association

4. All India Retired Insurance Employees Federation

5. All India Retired Reserve Bank Employee Association

6. Brihan Mumbai Pensioners Association 

7. Brihan Mumbai Retired Employees Association

8. Center for Life Long Learning , TISS

9. Centre for the Study of Social Change (RRTC Mumbai) 

10. College of Social Work ( Autonomous) Nirmala Niketan

11. Dignity Foundation 

12. Dilasa Kendra of Shushrusha Citizens Cooperative Hospital, Mumbai

13. FESCOM  

14. General Insurance Pensioners, All India Federation  

15. GIC Pensioners Association 

16. Help Age India 

17. Indian Association of Retired persons (IARP) Mumbai 

18. Money Life Foundation

19. MTNL Pensioners Workers Associations

20. Silver Inning Foundation 

21. Sophia College (AUTONOMOUS)

22. The Family Welfare Agency 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 Report

This year due to Corona Lockdown, WEAAD could not happen on ground, but we tried Innovative ONLINE Global event.

It was one of most successful event, hundreds of people of different age group, across globe from different country - India, Nepal, Africa, Australia, USA, South America, Europe participated with enthusiasm in this unique Online event, Posing with Purple Dot, creating awareness and raising voice against Elder Abuse. They posted Photo's with Purple Dot on all Social Media Platform including - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, ,Linkedin.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

How did this happen ?  Our INPEA active member Sailesh Mishra from India who is social media expert came with idea to involve all age and gender people across globe with mass reach out, the whole program revolved around Two Hastag #StandWithOlderPersons AND #PurpleDotChallenge. Susan Somers - Inpea President and Ellen Graham- Secretariat Coordinator of Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, approved the idea with deliberation. 

A hashtag, is sign #, is a type of metadata tag used on social networks such as Twitter and Instagram and other microblogging services. It lets users apply dynamic, user-generated tagging that helps other users easily find messages with a specific theme or content.

Some of photo's and images have been captured by Google search:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%23PurpleDotChallenge&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBD_enIN874IN874&sxsrf=ALeKk00S8WnfZ0p5gJmVHe9Tgx8Fv5rdWQ:1603339916100&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP0JzRqsfsAhVDzjgGHY1_BeUQ_AUoA3oECAQQBQ&biw=1366&bih=625

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Please find below content and image that was used for successful Program: 

  

We #StandWithOlderPersons and accept #PurpleDotChallenge to raise Awareness and Prevention of Elder Abuse.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

INPEA wants social media users to post a picture of a #PurpleDot on their palm or any other place or paper and express their thoughts about Elder Abuse, Awareness, Stigma and Prevention.

INPEA has created a separate hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons to take a strong stand on Elders issues. Accept the Purple Dot Challenge and post it on your social media handles with hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons and #PurpleDotChallange

So friends let’s #StandWithOlderPersons and send your Purple dot challenge pictures with your thoughts on our / post social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

This Challenge is open from 1st June to 30th June. 

We will also post your support on our all social media accounts.

You can also forward us your pictures through E-mail at silverinnings@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 91+ 9987104.....

Creative Support by Web Solutions India.

Thanks to all for your support 

Safety Tips for Senior Citizens Elder Parents

क्या आपके बुजुर्ग मां-बाप घर में अकेले रहते हैं?, तो ये वीडियो देखें और उनसे शेयर करें| Mumbai Tak - Do your Elder Parents Stay alone at home, watch this video for important tips to prevent Crime and Murder of #SeniorCitizens by Sailesh Mishra Founder Silverinnings AajTak #Mumbai

मुंबई में सीनियर सिटीजन कपल के मर्डर के बाद बुजुर्गों की सुरक्षा का मुद्दा फिर हाईलाइट हुआ है। अगर आप सीनियर सिटीजन हैं और घर में अकेले रहते हैं या आपके मां-बाप अकेले रहते हैं तो ये वीडियो जरूर देखें

#Silverinnings #AAJTAK #Mumbai

Senior citizens face biggest social problems: Dlamini

Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini, says physical abuse, abandonment and financial abuse are the biggest problems faced by the elderly in South Africa.

Dlamini, says more than 500 000 older persons collect social grant to look after their grandchildren. She says that is one of the reasons why they need to be honoured.

Dlamini spent the day with grandparents and pensioners in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

Grandparent's Day is observed annually to celebrate the positive contribution made by senior citizens to the country.

"We've also come to say to them thank you for looking after our children, because older persons are taking care of the children who no longer have parents and also thank you for ensuring that they grow up, they go to school and we also want to thank them because most of the children that stay with their grandparents perform very well at school," says Dlamini.


Emily Mate has three grandchildren and says even though she loves looking after her grandchildren, many grandparents struggle to cope with the responsibility.

"There are so many teenage pregnancies here, and they leave their children with their grandmothers, and it's too challenging, what if that grandparent is ill. What is he/she going to do with the children. And if you are a parent why do you not put a support grant here," says Mate.

Dlamini says her department is aware of the financial difficulties that many grandparents face.

She says government is dealing with private companies, who distributes grants and then deduct money for their services.

"We want to assure all of them that we are still dealing with the matter and we are also pleading with them to go to our front line offices if their monies are deducted. We are still busy with the dispute with the company that is paying out pensions," says Dlamini.

Many old people are also the victims of other forms of abuse.

Some of the old people who attended the event complained that they had to wait for more than four hours, without food or water in a warm tent for the minister to arrive.

Source: http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/1000ca004a1631e1ab96eba53d9712f0/Senior-citizens-face-biggest-social-problems:-Dlamini-20150410 

Toll Free Helpline for Senior Citizens Soon in West Bengal

KOLKATA:  A toll-free helpline will soon be introduced by the West Bengal government to provide assistance to senior citizens on the issues of health, legal and security.

"Senior citizens will be able to communicate using this toll-free number when they need any assistance be it on health issues or when there is any robbery at their houses," state Women and Child Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said.

"There are several senior citizens who are not getting their pension on time...We have to look into that. We are also considering if senior citizens can be given any subsidy in ration or whether there can be a separate counter for them at hospitals or at places where they need to visit every month," the minister said.

Stating that the state government is also planning to conduct counselling sessions for the elderly people to take care of their mental fitness. The state was also mulling over making legal assistance free for the community if needed, she said.

"The government is also thinking of training persons on Geriatric Care Management on whom the elderly persons can rely," she said.

She added that the government has "prepared a draft on the entire matter and are waiting to send it to the Cabinet for its green signal".

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/toll-free-helpline-for-senior-citizens-soon-in-west-bengal-1225442 

"Peeche ka Kamra" - A Poem by Anshuman Bhagwat - WEAAD2015

1. Published on Jun 15, 2015

1. 
   

1. This  Video is created by Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO working with Senior Citizens since 2008, on Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15th June 2015, in association with 'International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) to sensitize all stake holders and to work towards creating a Generation Friendly World.
   
   This poem is about a man who is doing everything he possibly can to improve his present and future but dismisses his old parents to the background because they could not keep up with his modern updated life style. But he is unaware to the fact that his own children are learning from him and in his old age he will be exiled to the same old back rooms that he dismissed his parents to.
   
   We would like to Thank the following for their invaluable contribution to make this happen :
   Anshuman Bhagwat - Poet
   Darrpan Mehta - Narration
   Hira Mehta - English Subtitles
   Ramaa Subramaniam - Coordination
   Sugar Mediaz - Audio Video Production
   
   Our Partners - INPEA, Silver Innings Helpline, A1 Snehajali, PushpaMa Foundation and The Metrognome
   Jeroninio Almeida and iCONGO for support
   All our Elders and their Families for their support for making this video.
   
   Old age is a beautiful stage in every person's life and an undeniable truth of life too.In old age physical strengths reduce but mind and heart are brimming with hopes and aspirations. But at this stage if the elderly are relegated to the back rooms their remaining life becomes hell.
   
   But young ones who do this to their old parents should remember this, that one day their own children who are observing the treatment meted out to their grand parents may think that this is the way it should be and do the same to their parents in their old age and dismiss you to the back room of their homes and lives.
   So if you want to make your future better, give your old parents respect and comfort in their old age.
   
   #‎WEAAD‬ is marked each year on June 15 as an official ‪#‎UnitedNations‬ International Day acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. Since 2006, communities throughout the country and around the world have used this day to raise the visibility of elder abuse, by sharing information about abuse and neglect and promoting resources and services that can help increase seniors’ safety and well-being.
   
   ‪#‎INPEA‬, Elder Abuse Awareness networks and organizations across globe are planning multiple WEAAD activities across the countries to mobilize community action and engage people in discussions on how to promote dignity and respect of older adults. The key objective of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is to raise awareness of elder abuse (which encompasses neglect or mistreatment) throughout the world.
   #WEAAD2015 #EldersMatter #INPEA #SilverInnings #SeniorCitizens #ElderAbuse #WearPurple #Ageing #Aging #Gerontology #Geriatric #Poem #World #UN
   
   Disclaimer : The images used are for representation only.
   Photos & Video Copyright - © Silver Innings 2015

Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders: Native American

Native American elders pass down their knowledge.

Though attitudes towards death in contemporary American culture are largely characterized by fear, Native American cultures traditionally accept death as a fact of life.

There are over 500 Native American nations, and each has its own traditions and attitudes toward aging and elderly care. But in many tribal communities, elders are respected for their wisdom and life experiences. Within Native American families, it's common for the elders to be expected to pass down their learning's to younger members of the family, according to the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Courtesy:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/what-other-cultures-can-teach_n_4834228.html?ir=India

Helpage Elder Abuse India 2014 Report

Elder Abuse rate spikes up to 50%, more than double from last year
reveals HelpAge India’s report marking ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’

Friday, June 13, 2014.
Today, just two days before “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15)” HelpAge India releases its report on Elder Abuse in India (2014) revealing an alarming growth of Elder Abuse in our nation.

Shooting to a disturbing 50% of elders experiencing abuse, from last year’s 23%, the report findings indicates an unsettling future for India’s elderly. Women seemed to be more vulnerable with 52% women facing abuse as against 48% men.

The HelpAge research report pans 12 cities across 8 states, with a sample size of 1200 elders covering both Metro (Tier I) and Non-Metro (Tier II) cities. It aims to find out the existence of Elder Abuse, the reasons for its occurrence, its extent and what as per elderly were the most effective measures to deal with the problem.

What was most disconcerting, was that the Abuser was a trusted source from within the elders family, with the Daughter-in-law (61%) and Son (59%) emerging as the topmost perpetrators. A trend that is continuing from the previous years. Not surprisingly, 77% of those surveyed, live with their families. An unsuspecting entry amongst the top 3 Abusers is now the Daughter as well.

Though the national capital, Delhi, ranked the lowest in Elder Abuse with 22% amongst Tier I cities, it also indicated a marginal increase of the same from 20% last year, showing a slow but disturbing growth. Bengaluru ranked the highest at 75% within the Tier I cities surveyed, while in the Tier II cities Kanpur was the lowest (13%) and Nagpur highest at 85%.

Verbal Abuse (41%), Disrespect (33%) and Neglect (29%) were ranked as the most common Types of Abuse experienced by the elderly.
While abuse has gone up, unfortunately still 41% of those abused, did Not report the matter to anyone. “Maintaining confidentiality of the family matter” was cited to be the major reason behind not reporting abuse (59%).

“It is a subject often pushed under the carpet. Most elders become silent sufferers and don’t talk about it as it becomes a matter of family honour for them. Since many live with their abusers, making a complaint only worsens matters as per them, due to fear of retaliation. The problem needs to be dealt with at its root. The degeneration of our value system has heightened this problem. Children are turning abusers. There is a dire need to sensitize them, starting young. HelpAge has started a unique HUG campaign which stands for Help Unite Generations, aiming to do just that” – says Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive Officer, HelpAge India.

The report revealed that though 64% of the victims were aware of the Police helpline, also the most popular redressal mechanism amongst elders, only 12% approached them. Most preferred approaching a relative (53%) or friends (42%).

 An interesting observation about the Reasons for Not Reporting abuse is that in Metro cities there is marked ‘lack of confidence in the any person or agency to deal with the problem’ and also there seems to be a general feeling of they “did not know how to deal with the abuse”. However “Fear of retaliation” appears in 3 out of 6 Tier II cities.

Interestingly, the top 3 Reasons for abuse were: Emotional dependence of the victim on the Abuser (46%), Economic dependence of the victim (45%) and Economic dependence of the Abuser (30%) on the victim.

While 17% of those abused, face it daily, 35% face it at least once a week. Elders who faced abuse ‘almost daily’ in Tier I cities, was highest in Hyderabad (42%) and lowest in Mumbai (26%), while those  in Tier II cities was highest in Guwahati (71%).

Dark Stories from the field
“At my son’s place, I am given just two chapattis in a day” - says Mansi Devi (name changed) a 60 year old widow residing in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar. Illiterate and with no income of her own, she is heart broken by the fact that the neglect starts with the denial of her basic daily food. Often, Mansi is tempted to leave everything behind and just run away. However, it is her concern for her handicapped daughter and love for her granddaughters that keeps her back.

“My own Nephews beat me so brutally, that I couldn’t move out of bed for 7 days” – says Gautam Das (name changed), a well-educated 62 year old Commerce graduate & resident of Selimpur, Kolkata who currently works as an accountant with an NGO.  He has a fixed steady income, lives in a joint family with his wife, son and families of his two brothers. Life seemed idyllic till his newly married niece committed suicide. Das was blamed for having supported his niece’s decision to marry the man of her choice. From that day on, his brother and wife started blaming him as the main cause for their daughter’s death and his nephew with his friends took to beating him up.  Das however suspects that the real reason is that they would like him to leave the ancestral home for the nephew to be able to hand it over to a promoter for developing the property.

“I don’t receive a word of love or affection” – says Dayavati (name changed), a 72 year old widow from the Kachiguda locality of Hyderabad, living with her son and daughter-in-law and their children. She longs for a word of love, a gesture of care; but all she gets in return are rebukes by her daughter-in-law and a son who doubts her.

“Our financial dependence on our son and daughter-in-law has turned us into their servants” - says a pained Ramanna (name changed) 68 years old from Bengaluru. Once a flower seller with his own income, advancing years forced him to give up his occupation and move in with his son and daughter-in-law. What followed has been years of abuse at their hands.

“My youngest son abuses me – he snatches the money I keep in my bag” – says Malika (name changed) a 61 year old widow, from Guwahati, is abused by her youngest son for money. An unemployed youth and an alcoholic, he is dependent on his mother for his expenses. When denied money, he shouts and abuses her.

About HelpAge India:  HelpAge India is a leading charitable organization working with and for older people in India for the past 36 years. It runs age care programmes throughout the country & advocates strongly for the cause of the elderly and fights for their rights. It also advises & facilitates the Government in formation of policy related to the elderly.