Pakhu Ram, 65, lives on a daily wage. He migrated to Guwahati in search of a job and now lives in Bamunimaidan's Baikuntha Nagar in Guwahati. A stone cutter by profession, all his life he has lifted heavy weight materials. This being his only source of his livelihood. With growing age, he started suffering from severe hypertension, weakness and developed chronic back pain. His only sole support, a walking stick. The back pain aggravated due to the daily climb to his hillside dwelling. His wife does small odd jobs in neighbors houses, but still it isn't enough to sustain their home. Pakhu is unable to afford special medication while his two children are still very young.

He became one of the first people to avail the services of the newly opened physiocare centre by HelpAge in Guwahati, a first in the north east. There has been a remarkable change in his health since, with considerable relief from pain. Today, Pakhu walks without a stick and is urging his community to avail the services of the physiocare centre. Guwahati has a geriatric population of nearly 1.5 lakh, therefore physiocare is a much required need for the elderly residing there.

Anjali Dey, of Kolkata, suffers from left sided Hemiplegia resulting from a Cerebro Vascular attack two years ago. The right hemisphere of the brain controls the movement of the left side of the body. A stroke in the right hemisphere often causes paralysis in the left side of the body. This is known as left sided Hemiplegia. Anjali is unable to hold any object with her left hand and is not able to blow out of her mouth. She can't even walk without support. Today, she gets home visits from the HelpAge physiotherapist and feels hope returning into her life.

preading its wings across the nation to address problems of the elderly HelpAge Elder Helplines have now been established in Guwahati, Patna, S

Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Puducherry. These Helplines address problems such as isolation, neglect, facilitate emergency responses, provide information on access to various government schemes for senior citizens and linkages with the government, police, rescue & relief services along with offering counseling services to elderly in distress.

On the other hand Physiocare is now being provided in 12 state capitals such as Delhi & NCR, Shimla, Bhopal, Dehradun, Kolkata, Srinagar, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Lucknow, Puducherry & Chandigarh. More & more senior citizens are receiving much required treatment earlier inaccessible.

HelpAge India conducted Certificate Courses for Managers & Caregivers of old age homes in some cities. The interesting part was the mobilization of Senior Citizen Associations (SCAs) through periodical meetings of SCA members for their involvement in agecare activities in their respective cities. Members assist in counseling through the helplines, help conduct local need

assessment surveys and volunteer their professional services such as those of – doctors, lawyers, media, civil engineers etc. Some physiotherapy centres are now being managed by SCAs such as those in Shimla, Solan, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Bhopal, Kolkata, Chandigarh & Puducherry.

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EDITOR SpeaksEDITOR SpeaksEDITOR Speaks

Kapil KaulCountry HeadAdvocacy, Resource & Communications

survey conducted by the S e n i o r C i t i z e n Assoc ia t ions (SCAs) A

across the country to bring out the impact of price rise on the lives of the elderly proved to be an eye opener. 82.5 % of the e l d e r l y s u r v e ye d , w e r e adversely affected, forcing many to drastically cut down on their medicine and nutritious diet. Beyond the figures is the larger message that the elderly continue to be amongst the most vulnerable sections of society, their needs must be mainstreamed and the National Po l icy on Older Persons implemented in letter and spirit. A message one receives on numerous occasions while interacting with the elders. Every time I have felt that our reach and resources were too little in comparison to the task at hand.

A beginning has been made with the launch of a new campaign, which brings back focus on the issue of disregard and neglect of elderly. Our website was redesigned to serve as the main v e h i c l e o f c a m p a i g n dissemination. It is heartening to see a surge in the number of visitors to the site. The formation and expansion of the Senior Citizen Associations and the Federations is the next logical step. Over 700 such Associations with close to three lakh members, across the country have been identified and a number of programmes ranging from health camps, p h y s i o c a r e c e n t r e s a r e underway, being launched in co l laborat ion w i th these Associations.

It is heartening to note that the SCAs have risen to the challenge and are in the process of recast ing themse lves as representatives of the elders of India. It is efforts such as these, that have led to the formation of a review committee by the Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, on the National Policy on Older Persons.

Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4

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Website: http://www.helpageindia.org Email: headoffice@helpageindia.org

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meeting of representatives of Senior Citizens Associations was held in December in Delhi, who jointly voiced A

the formation of a strong representative body for senior citizens. As a result, a "Confederation of Senior Citizens Associations of Delhi” has been registered, of which HelpAge India is a permanent Advisor and Mr. J. R. Gupta selected as Chairperson. This is a significant step towards building the advocacy drive for the cause.

Senior citizens come together as one force

Urban agecare programme spreads its reachHelplines & Physiocare

A lady receives phsyiocare in Lucknow. Senior citizens living below poverty line, will receive free Physiocare at the centre.

BOOK POST

HelpAge physiocare centre in Saproon, Solan District, set up in association with the Solan District Senior Citizen Forum.

Bollywood actors and father-son duo Shekhar Suman & Adhyaan Suman at 'Luxurion World 2009’ a luxury event which took place in Mumbai, where they painted for the cause. A special thanks to former Miss India & well known painter Ms. Anjanna Kuthiala, the force behind the event.

Cele

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•Lecole Chempaka School, Kerala•Ryan International Group of Schools -Surat (Gujarat), Rohini (Delhi), Ghaziabad(UP) & Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

•Bentinck Girls Hr. Sec. School, Chennai (TN)

•Little Flower Convent, Ranipet (TN)•Sri Rangam Girls Hr. Sec School, Trichy (TN)

•Saint Xavier's High School, Vapi (Gujarat)

•Saint John High School, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)

•Cambridge School, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)

•Saint Francis High School, Nasik (Maharashtra)

•Thakur Public School, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

•Narayan Vidyalaya, Nagpur (Maharashtra)

•Dnyan Mata High School (Maharashtra)

•DPS - Cuttack (Orissa) & Jamshedpur (Jharkhand)

•Saint Mary's School, Port Blair (A&N Island)

•Nirmala Sr. Sec. School, Port Blair (A&N Island)

•Navy Children (Montessori) School,

Port Blair (A&N Island)•BSP Group of Schools, Durg (Chattisgarh)

•Garden High School, Kolkata (WB)•Calcutta International School, Kolkata (WB)

•Army School, Ramgarh Cantt. (Jharkhand)

•The Heritage School, Rohini (Delhi)•Aadharshila Vidyapeeth (Delhi)•Mira Model School (Delhi)•Chinaya Vidyala (Delhi)•Jingle Bells, Nagpur (Maharashtra)•Sandipani School, Nagpur (Maharashtra)

•J.N.Tata Parsi Girls High School, Nagpur (Maharashtra)

•Narayana Vidyalayam, Nagpur (Maharashtra)

•Modern School, Koradi Road, Nagpur (Maharashtra)

•Delhi Public School, Farakka (WB)•Kendriya Vidyalaya # 1, Port Blair (A&N Island)

•Holy Cross School, Baruipur (WB)•St. Xavier's H.S. School, Bettiah (Bihar)

•D.P.S, Bokaro Steel City (Jharkhand)

•St. Paul's School, Bokaro Thermal (Jharkhand)

•St. Joseph's School, Nawada (Bihar)

•St. Joseph's School, Mosabani (Jharkhand)

•St. Joseph's School, Bhagalpur (Bihar)•St. Joseph's School, N.T.P.C Kahelgaon (Bihar)

•Sant Nandlal Smriti Vidya Mandir, Ghatsila (Jharkhand)

•Ursuline Convent, Purnea (Bihar)•DPS, Meerut (UP)•DPS, Jamshedpur (Jharkhand)•Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 15, Panchkula (Haryana)

•Govt.Girls Hr.Sec.School, Kadirkamam, (Puducherry)

•OPA Trust Fund-Old Paulite Association, Kolkata (WB)

•School Education Department of Puducherry

•Hi-Tech Arai Ltd, Madurai (TN)•Asian Paints - Patancheru (AP) & Sriperumbudur (TN)

•KPMG Foundation, Hyderabad (AP)•Alkem Lab, Mumbai (Maharashtra)•SBI, Mumbai (Maharashtra)•Blue Cross Labs, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

•A.R.R. Charitable Trust, Chennai (TN)•Give India, Chennai (TN)•Tractors India Ltd. Kolkata (WB)•Girls Hr. Sec. School, Srirangam, Trichy (TN)

•Ryan International School, Ludhiana (Pb)

•Navyug Girls P.G. College, Lucknow (UP)

•Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2, Bhopal (MP)

Thank you

Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4

elpAge India, started year 2010 with the launch of its new campaign on the elderly: “LED India, FED India, TAUGHT India,” a tribute to forgotten leaders, in Delhi's PHD House. Special guest Ms. Shalini H

Dewan, former Director, United Nations Information Centre, along with Mr. M. M.Sabharwal, President Emeritus, HelpAge India, launched the new campaign website and felicitated veterans who had led exemplary lives, with the “Inspirational Achiever” award.

The aim was to honor those elderly who have worked hard and achieved milestones within their own field and continue to so, living life with strength and dignity, the underlining motto of the campaign. They included achievers such as – the Marathon Man of India, Dr. (Wg. Cdr.) Ashis Roy who has run more than 100 Marathons at the age of 78, 84 year old Mr. J.N. Chaudhry, Chairman, VIMHANS, 80 year old Keshav Malik, Poet & Arts scholar & critic, 87 year old Chander Dhawan, Pictographer, who has traveled to Leh via road at the age of 82 to capture its beauty in his camera, 80 + Ms.Nirmala Narula, President, Alzheimer's & Related Disorders Society of India, 70 year old social worker and pioneer in her field Dr. Avtar Pennathur, President & Founder Trustee, Harmit Trust & Home for Senior Citizens, 63 year old Chetan Chauhan, former Cricketer / Politician and last but not the least 98 year old veteran actor Ms.Zohra Segal, who due to physical frailty could not be there to accept the award personally. The campaign aims to highlight the contributions of senior citizens and evokes dignity rather than pity and urges people to sit up and take notice of their elders.

www.helpageindia.org

Elders demand the implementation of State Policy on Older Persons on World Elders Day

he march of elders in different states to put up a petition to national and state political leaders for implementing 'State Policy on Older Persons', on October 1, 2009, World Elders Day or alternatively T

International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) was an emphatic and momentous assertion by the elderly to put forth their demands.

HelpAge took stock of how effective the National Policy on Older Persons has been 10 years since its inception in 1999, in the presence of chief guest Mr. Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (Govt. of India), at a function organized in Delhi.

“The formation of the National Policy on Older Persons itself has been a great start, but 10 years down the line it's implementation has been very poor, with much left to be desired. We require greater fund allocation and hope, that the Government will speed up the implementation process and more positive results will be seen” said Mr. Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive, HelpAge India.

Earlier in the morning, HelpAge organized an intergenerational walkathon at Rajpath, New Delhi, which was flagged off by Mr. Mukul Wasnik, along with Mr. D. Napoleon, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment (Govt. of India). Similar walkathons were also organized in Patna, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Coimbatore where thousands of elderly marched in unison with the school children symbolizing the importance of intergenerational bonding.

Seminars with an objective of providing a comprehensive review on the progress of implementation of the provisions in the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) along with emphasis on implementation and analysis of the draft on the State Policy on Older Persons, were organized all across the country. Concrete recommendations were made to respective State Governments.

School students accompanied elders from five old age homes in Kolkata - Kalyan Ashram, Navanir-Chetla & Tollygunge, Tollygunge Homes and Shantiniwas, for a special river cruise to Dakshineshwar. Elders from the Nagapattinam coastal area started a signature campaign to mobilize local support and voice the rights of elders to live with dignity and be treated as equal citizens.

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HelpAge India launches its new campaign LED India, FED India, TAUGHT India

Mr. Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment (Govt. of India) flags off the intergenerational walkathon at Rajpath, New Delhi. Looking on are (to his right), Mr. D. Napoleon, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment (Govt. of India) and Mr. Mathew Cherian (right), Chief Executive, HelpAge India.

Mr. Kapil Kaul (left), Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications), Mr. M.M.Sabharwal (second from left), President Emeritus and Mr. Mathew Cherian (right), Chief Executive, from HelpAge India along with Ms. Shalini Dewan, former Director, United Nations Information Centre launch the Brochure for the LED India, FED India, TAUGHT India campaign in Delhi.

Mr. D. Napolean (third from right), Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (Govt. of India), interacts with Ms.Poornima Singh (right), Joint Secretary, MSJE (Ministry for Social Justice & Empowerment), Mr. Rama Mohan Rao (second from right), Principal Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Mrs. Indrani Rajadurai (left), National Director (South & West), HelpAge India and other HelpAge staff members during the Awareness cum Sensitization workshop on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, in Chennai (TN).

Senior Citizens at Hyderabad call upon the Government of Andhra Pradesh for effective implementation of State Policy on Older Persons, in a walkathon organized by HelpAge on the occasion of IDOP.

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Review Workshop on State Policy on Older Persons

A representative of Senior Citizens Association from Delhi, addresses the audience during the “Review Workshop on State Policy on Older Persons in Delhi - NCR” organized by HelpAge to discuss the implementation of National Policy on Older Persons. It was attended by various representatives from Senior Citizen Associations. Looking on are (from right): Dr. H.S. Bakshi, National Director (Advocacy), Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications), HelpAge India and Mrs. C. Saraswathi, Dy. Director – National Institute of Social Defence , Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Dr. Archana Kaushik, Assistant Prof. Delhi School of Social Work.

Dr. H.S. Bakshi (standing centre), National Director (Advocacy), HelpAge India, acts as moderator during the Annual meet with Senior Citizen Federations in Andhra Pradesh (AP), to discuss support services for Urban Elders, where the State Level Coordination Committee for Senior Citizen Associations (AP) was formed. Leaders of various State Level Federations and representatives of Districts Level Federations from 16 districts of AP participated. This was a significant achievement in the efforts to unify the federations for better advocacy of elder needs. Also seen are (from left): Mr. R.N Mital, President, APSCCON (Andhra Pradesh Sr. Citizens Confederation), Dr. Rao Chelikani, President, FAPSCO (Federation of AP Senior Citizen Organizations), Mr. Mohd. Raza Mohammed, Deputy Director (Hyderabad), HelpAge India, and Mr. V. Gopal Rao, Vice President, FAPSCO.

Joining Forces

Senior Citizens get innovative & participate in an Auto-thon

Senior citizens in Auto rickshaws lead the way in Chennai (TN) as part of HelpAge's campaign aimed to create awareness on the challenges faced by senior citizens and sensitize the community on the importance of caring for the elderly.

Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4 Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4

he Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, seeks to make provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parent and senior citizens, guaranteed and recognized under the Constitution. The object is to ensure T

their maintenance by their children.

As per the rules, those who neglect their aged parents or fail to provide for their upkeep will have to face imprisonment up to three months or a penalty of Rs. 5000 or both. To create further awareness about this Act, a workshop was held in Chennai (TN) in coordination with the Directorate of Social Welfare, Tamil Nadu, where Mr. D. Napoleon, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (Govt. of India),

was the chief guest. He spoke at length of Government support toward the implementation of the Act. Ms. Geetha Jeevan, Minister for Social Welfare (Govt. of Tamil Nadu), was the guest of honor. Representatives from NGOs, Senior Citizens Federations, legal experts, educationists, social activists, senior citizens and other service providers were present on the occasion.

Senior citizens gained information on the various agecare schemes implemented by the State and Central Governments, besides the nuances of the Act. They further gave their recommendations for the implementation of the Act.

Creating Awareness to demand what's rightfully theirs

s per a random sample survey of about 400 Senior Citizens conducted through Senior Citizens Associations across the country by HelpAge, it was found that 82.5% of the elderly have A

been affected adversely by the rise in prices over the last year and 92.4% feel that the Govt. has taken no action to counter it.

In order to understand the perspective of Senior Citizens pan India, the survey was conducted amongst 12 states namely: Delhi, Maharashtra, Kolkata, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

The lower and the middle income groups were hit the hardest. 71.6% elderly cut down on their health expenditure and 40.8% curtailed expense on nutrition in their diets. 27.8% witnessed tension/anxiety levels grow within their families due to which their relationships were strained.

A strong need was seen in demand for subsidized food articles through ration shops & subsidized medical services, a stunning 84%. 82% want further exemption in Income Tax. 58% elderly across India are looking for a structured re-employment programme by the Govt. Also, an astounding 71.1% want IT exemptions for children who are spending money to maintain their elderly parents.

75.4% senior citizens in Delhi, 76.8% in Kolkata, 70% in Maharashtra and 91% in Tamil Nadu, want elder-friendly and easy-to-access Health Insurance Schemes.

These startling numbers were an eye-opener in understanding elderly needs.

Inflation hits hard at Senior Citizens: HelpAge India does a nationwide survey

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Healthcare for the tribes in Keonjhar

An elderly woman puts in the finishes touches to her home in a village in Keonjhar District (Orissa), where HelpAge is planning to launch its MMU service to provide primary healthcare to the villagers for whom the nearest District Headquarters Hospital is nearly 25 kms away.

Mr. Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive, HelpAge India, gives resourceful insights into HelpAge's Palliative Care project ”Project Kiran” which has a demonstration module running in Cuddalore (TN) during the Trichy International Palliative Conference held in Tiruchirappalli (TN). Palliative care is given when a patient's disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment and life expectancy is relatively short. Under the project, 62 patients have received Palliative care and the project has expanded to 52 villages with over 200 volunteers. Looking on are experts (seated from right): Dr. Michael Minton, Dr. Saraswathy Devi & Dr. Mhoira EF.Leng.

Understanding the importance of Palliative Care

HEALTHCARE ON WHEELS

he Mobile Medicare Units (MMUs) and Mobile Eldercare Units (MEUs) are mini dispensaries on wheels, fully equipped with medicines, a doctor, pharmacist and a social worker to provide basic healthcare to needy and destitute elderly. Promoting health consciousness and encouraging attitudinal transformation with respect to well being of older persons is an integral part of this T

healthcare programme.

Meet Vastala Vishnu Surve, from Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) who feels she is too young to be 83. A learner with a spirit of an 8 year old. For her age is certainly just a number. Inspite of being the 'only educated one' in her village, her parents got her married at sixteen. She took care of her land while her husband worked at a printing press. She lost her husband just four years into the marriage. A few days later, she delivered her second child. A month later, her mother-in-law threw her out of the house. Living on just Rs.10 per day, that she received from her father through money order, she decided to move to Mumbai with her two children. She was all of 20 years back then.

To support her two young children, she joined a government program, as a teacher, which aimed at teaching adults who had missed school early in life, where she earned Rs.35 per month. Later, she started teaching in municipality schools in Mumbai. Her earnings gradually increased and soon she became the Headmistress of Mahanagar Palika School. By the time she retired, she was eligible for a pension of Rs. 5500 per month, but it wasn’t enough to sustain her entire family. With increasing age, physical weakness became apparent. Visiting the hospital meant an endless wait of hours for one’s turn. But Vastala refused to give in, she started visiting the HelpAge MMU in her area & got treatment. She says, “Live with dignity, with 'swabhimaan', never ever beg. I have always lived life on my own terms, and will continue to do so.”A dignified teacher by profession and a humble learner by choice. HelpAge salutes her spirit!

Mr. Ravi Jain, Barmer District Magistrate, flags off the new Mobile Medicare Unit (MMU) in Barmer (Rajasthan), a project supported by CAIRN INDIA.

I try to learn as much as I can, whenever an opportunity arises.

An unexpected gesture

Ms. Taramati H. Khire, 74 year old resident of Pune, su f f e r s f rom genera l weakness, joint pains, blood pressure & anemia. She had no means to meet her medical expenses and has no support from her family members. The money she had invested in a Bank became useless, as the bank ran into bankruptcy and money blocked since the past 3 years. HelpAge's MMU service came as blessing in disguise

and soon she became a beneficiary, with her medical needs addressed. A regular now at the MMU site, she feels it's given her a second innings in life. In a surprise gift wholly unexpected she donated Rs. 1000 to the cause, when she suddenly received some of her money from the Bank. Her gesture has deeply touched all at HelpAge, despite the meagre amount she received from the Bank she decided to help someone needy by donating to the cause.

Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4 Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4

News for your use

any senior citizens were perturbed with the news which appeared in The Times of India (Delhi) on January 16, 2010, which spoke about proposed M

changes in the Motor Vehicle Act. As per which, the new norms being devised by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (Govt. of India) is weighing the option of barring

people over the age of 72 – 75 years old from getting a driving license.

Mr. J.R. Gupta, President, Senior Citizens Council of Delhi, says senior citizens at large have expressed their resentment and the matter was taken up by the Senior Citizens Council of Delhi on behalf of 9 lakh senior citizens living in Delhi with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi.

The Ministry has clarified their position saying: “It is correct to say that the Ministry is in the process of reviewing the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 by an Expert Committee. One of the stake holders had suggested that people having age between 75-80 years may be prohibited from driving. However, in no way that can be treated as the recommendation of the Committee, nor it may be construed that the Committee has recommended this. The Committee has to look into all the pros and cons of each proposal received by them from various stake holders and will recommend those proposals which are not only right but also just.”

Mr. J.R. Gupta

-Vastala Vishnu Surve registers herself at the HelpAge MMU

Living with dignity MMU launch in Barmer

GOOD NEWS!Mr. M.M. Sabharwal, President Emeritus, HelpAge India, has been appointed as a Member of the newly formed National Policy on Older Persons Review Committee by the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Mr. Sabharwal who holds the cause of senior citizens close to his heart, is working at putting forth the major issues the

Committee should flag in order to put meaningful recommendations to the Govt. of India.

n past six months HelpAge has been urging more and more school children to spend time with the elderly, to understand their Isensitivities, their needs and bring joy and laughter into their lives. Many initiatives were taken up, such as children taking on the garb of Santa Claus while celebrating Christmas with elderly residents in an old age home in Delhi or playing games and involving the elderly in fun activities during an outing in Baneshwar.

Mr. M. Kutralingam, I.A.S, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Education, Chennai, emphasizes that value education should be an integral part of class room teaching in both schools and teacher training institutions, during a seminar on 'Content Development for Value Education on Agecare' organized in Chennai (TN). Over 40 Educational Experts and Curriculum developers from across the southern states of India participated in the two day long seminar.

In June 2009, 60 plus Smt. Premlata, a resident of Delhi, went to the market to get some milk but never returned home. For her widowed sister,

84 year old mother and 3 year old daughter it was an endless wait. Finally a police complaint was filed. 8 months passed but Premlata couldn ' t be located. But the power of faith is strong, the prayers never stopped and hope never died. On Jan. 2010, television channel Aaj Tak was airing a n e w s p i e c e o n a felicitation programme being held at Mother Teresa

School, New Delhi, for the elderly residents of the HelpAge supported old age home, Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. As fate would have it, Premlata who was residing in the home, was immediately recognized in the news by her neighbors. Mrs. Gloria Paul, Sr. Executive of HelpAge's school education programme immediately got into action and with the help of the crew of Aaj Tak & staff of Mother Teresa School traced Premlata and reunited her with her family. Premlata had suffered from memory loss but still remembered her 3 year old daughter. Today, she feels life gave her a second chance and lives in the warm comfort of her own home. .

Content Development for Value Education on Agecare

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t is difficult to work without the support of donors. In the recent past, a trend has Ibeen seen in the growth of corporate donors. More & more are now coming forward to support the cause of the elderly and are focusing on their CSR initiatives. Awareness levels are higher and the willingness to make a difference has become more focused. HelpAge is thankful to them for their support.

Children from Class 7 & 8 of Ryan International School, (Vasant Kunj), Delhi, become ‘Santa’ for the residents of ‘Gharaunda’, an old age the home in Delhi to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Children become ‘Santa’ for the elderly

Ms. V. S. Meena from Kamraj English Medium School, Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Island), receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Ms. Sharmila Majumder, Joint Director-Resource Mobilization (East), HelpAge India. The school contributed Rs. 1.94 lakh towards the cause. This is so far the highest collecting school in Andaman for 2009-2010.

Mr. George Jacob (fourth from right), GM, NLC Corporate & Secretary Jawahar Educational Society along with Mr. Ramachandran (fourth from left) Principal, Jawahar Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Neyveli (TN) hand over a donation of Rs. 6.09 lakh (approx.) by the school to Mr. V. Sivakumar (sixth from left) Deputy Director- Resource Mobilization (Madurai) & Mr. Arun Wilson (fifth from left) Manager - Resource Mobilization (Chennai) from HelpAge India.

Ms. Sunita Chopra (right) Principal, Delhi Public School, Rewari (Haryana), cheers on little Kanav Vats all of 3 years, as he is receives the HelpAge memento of appreciation by Ms. Anupama Datta, Deputy Director -Policy Research & Development, HelpAge India. Kanav collected the highest amount for the cause. Looking on is Ms. Mamta Pawar (left), his class teacher and Ms. Rojibala, Manager (Resource Mobilization), HelpAge India. Students of Delhi Public School, Rewari, donated Rs.1.23 lakh (approx.) towards the cause.

Ms. Samita Sinha, Principal, Surendranath Centenary School, Ranchi (Jharkhand) hands over a Demand Draft of Rs. 2.32 lakh (approx.) to Ms. Piya Mukherjee, Executive (Resource Mobilization) HelpAge India. The school raised this amount in 2009-10 making it the highest collecting school in Jharkhand.

M r . Kap i l Kau l , C o u n t r y H e a d ( A d v o c a c y , R e s o u r c e & Communicat ions) receives a cheque for Rs. 1.65 lakh on behalf of HelpAge India by Mrs. & Mr. C h a n d r a s h e k h a r Yadav, Headmistress a n d P r i n c i p a l r e s p e c t i v e l y o f M . A . S . D . P u b l i c School, Panipat, at ‘Gharaunda’ an old age home in Delhi.

A poignant reunion

Ms. Neeta Jethy, Director, Mother Teresa School honors Smt. Premlata.

Mrs. Gomathy, Headmistress, Kakkai Padiniyar Corp. Girls Hr. S e c . S choo l , Madurai (TN), hands over a cheque of Rs. 2 . 2 9 l a k h (approx.) to Mrs. B a g a v a t h y , V i z h i y a g a m project (Helen Keller Service Society for the D i s a b l e d ) .

Looking on are Mr. C. Radhakrishnan (left), Manager (Resource Mobilization) and Mr. V. Sivakumar (right), Deputy Director (Resource Mobilization), from HelpAge India (Madurai).

On the occasion of Citi Global Community Day on Nov. 7, 2009, 10 volunteers from Citi Financials spent their day with the destitute older people residing at St. Thomas H o m e f o r t h e A g e d , Coimbatore and organized a free health camp for the elderly.

Mr. Sudhir Sinha (centre), Country Head-CSR, Arcelor Mittal India Ltd, hands over a cheque of Rs.12 lakh to Mr. Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive, HelpAge India, as support towards HelpAge’s MMU programme in Keonjhar District (Orissa), while Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications), HelpAge India looks on.

CORPORATE GIVING

A student of D.A.V. Public School, Pune, serves delicious food and snacks to elderly MMU beneficiaries on a “Grannies Day Out” organized by HelpAge to Baneshwar, south of Pune, to visit the Shankar Bholenath Temple.

(From left): Ms. Jaishree Bhargava, Principal and teachers Mrs. Vijaylexmi Nair & Mr. Rajendra Patidar from The Aditya Birla Public School, A d i t y a u r a m D i s t r i c t , Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) receive a Certificate of Appreciation from HelpAge representative Mr. Ambrish Kumar. The students of the school contributed Rs. 70,386 towards the cause.

Mr. Suresh Gaikwad, Principal, St. Paul's Modern School, Bokaro Thermal (Jharkhand) alongwith Ms. Piya Mukherjee, E x e c u t i v e ( R e s o u r c e Mobilization) HelpAge India, hands over a blanket to an elderly during a blanket distribution for needy elderly to survive the cold in early January this year. Looking on is Mr. Madhukar Gaikwad (left) a senior teacher from the school.

Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4 Oct.2009-Mar.2010 Vol.8 No.3 & 4

SCHOOL ADVOCACY & VALUE EDUCATION

S P E C I A L M E N T I O N

Arcelor comes on board

Citi volunteers pitch in their bit NHDC support

OCL SUPPORT

elping sustain healthcare services in Orissa, OCL India Ltd. supported the running cost of MMU Jagatsinghpur (Orissa) worth Rs.9.66 lakh.

H

Mr. M. S. J. Sinha (third from left), General Manager (HR) Narmada H y d r o e l e c t r i c D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation, Ltd. (Bhopal) hands over a cheque of Rs 72,000 to Mr. S. K. Sharma, Sr. Manager (Bhopal), HelpAge India on behalf of the company for supporting 10 destitute elderly through the Sponsor-A-Grandparent programme. Looking on are (from left): Mr. Ashok Kumar, Sr. Manager (HR) & Mr. A. K. Kapoor, Assistant GM (HR) from Narmada H y d r o e l e c t r i c D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation Ltd. and Mr. Ajay Bhosle Office Boy, Mr. Jai Kant Singh & Mr. Pramod Binani, Executives Resource Mobilization (Bhopal) from HelpAge.

REFERENCES

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Cheque/DD No................................................ Date..........................................in favour of HelpAge India.

Title.................Name ..............................................................Address....................................................

..........................................Nationality........................Occupation.........................Tel...............................

PAN No...............................Date of Birth......................................E-mail....................................................

For Payment by Credit Card* Credit Card No.

Name of the Card...................................Valid upto.......................Signature ..............................................

CVV No.(Last three digits of the number on the reverse of your card)...................................(for Diner Cards Only).

*Master/Visa /American Express/Diner Cards only.

YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE WHATEVER YOU WISH TO:

C-14, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-110 016 Tel. 011-41688955-56, 42030400, Fax:011-26852916E-mail : rm@helpageindia.org Website : www.helpageindia.org

All contribution to HelpAge India are 100% Tax Exempt under Section 35AC and 80GGA of Income Tax Act, 1961 for the projects covering medical care to old persons, leprosy and cancer patients, provision

of home to old persons, rehabilitation of old women and conducting eye camps.

Rs. 1,000/- Rs. 3,000/- Rs. 5,000/- Rs. 7,000/- Any Other Rs..............

NL/OCT.’09-MAR.’10