Minutes of the program on launch of “Support services for the Urban Elderly” July 16th 2009 at Mekastar Auditorium, OU, Hyderabad   The programme started at 4 p.m, with a prayer song by Mr. David Victor a Sr.Citizen and volunteer of Help Line 1253. The lighting up of Lamp was done by the guests and the session started formally. Around 300 Sr.Citizens from 69 Associations have participated from Hyderabad in the meeting. Dr. Harvinder S. Bakshi, National Director, Advocacy, HelpAge India and Mr. Prem Poddar, Sr. Manager, HelpAge India has participated from Head Office, Delhi. Dr. Rao Chilkani, President, FAPSCO,   Mr.Gopal Rao, Organizing Secretary, FAPSCO, Mr.Potham Setty, Organizing Secretary, APSCON, and Mr.P.Srinivasulu, Project Director, AASARA.  Help Line 1253, have chaired the meeting. Mr. S.Dass, Joint Director, A.P welcomed all the Sr.Citizens Association members and has briefed the participants about HelpAge India activities Nation wide and also explained about projects being implemented in A.P. He has clearly explained how HelpAge India is moving from welfare mode slowly to Development, he also very clearly explained now HelpAge India is not only working for older people, it is also working with older people. Mr. Prem Podar, Sr. Manager, HelpAge India, explained about the concept of “Support Services for Urban Elderly” and the role of Hi and Sr.Citizens in this program as per the CORDAID project. He also told that similar program has been initiated in Shimla, Delhi, Bhopal and Hyderabad. The main idea behind this program as whole is to unite all the Sr.Citizens Associations and Federations under one Umbrella and make them to raise their voice from one single platform. According to Mr. Prem Poddar, this forum will be helpful to get through Advocacy activities which the older people are en_title_d to. Dr. Rao Chelikani, President, FAPSCO, in his speech explained that Socio Economic context of the present Sr.Citizens changed drastically, and that previously, the elders were not prepared to face the challenges during their retirement life; but now Sr.Citizens are well equipped and planned to face all this and are ready to enjoy their post retirement life. He also explained that Support services are of three types Social, Economic and Health, and no single organization can meet all the above. It is only possible when Society as a whole comes forward to render a helping hand for the well being of elders. He said that in changing Society new institutions are emerging like Sr.Citizens Associations, Old Age Homes, Day Care Centers etc. In this changing Society the concept of Elders for Elders has to be inculcated among the Sr.Citizens. He quoted that in those days elders believed that they could secure their old age by accumulating money and looking after their family. But this is not working now. He said that FAPSCO (Federation of Andhra Pradesh Sr.Citizens Organization) motto- “Society for Elders and Elders for Society”; is aimed at overcoming the negative factor, ‘Dependency’ which is prevalent amongst the elders. Mr.P.Srinivasulu, Project Director, AASARA.  Help Line 1253, in his speech, expressed his gratitude to Dr.Bakshi for visiting the Help Line. He also appreciated Mr.S.Dass, Joint Director, A.P and his team for extending all the required services for elderly in Hyderabad. He whole heartedly congratulated the two staff of Help Line, Mr.Mrinal and Mr. Rajesh for their commendable work being done for the Elders living in Urban areas. He said that they both, in coordination with Sr.Citizens Associations and Volunteers in Hyderabad built a strong network and also issued 34000 Id Cards for Elders. He said that through HelpAge India Help Line 1253, 1000 volunteers have been enrolled till date and that the Sr.Citizens Associations are now concentrating and adopting the near by slums, trying to address the needs of the elders living in un served sectors.He has greatly appreciated the SCA and volunteers for their tremendous support being extended towards Help Line 1253, further he requested Mr.S.Dass, Joint Director, A.P to look into the possibilities of initiating new MMU services for the slums located in Hyderabad. Secondly, recruitment of some extra staff in Help Line, as the scope of expansion of activities is tremendously increasing in Help Line.  Further he expressed that elderly women too should be involved in Help Line 1253 activities. In this regard he requested the Sr. Citizens Associations to pay special attention in enrolling women force into AASARA programs. He stated that awareness has to be created among the weaker sections, further explained about the training being imparted to volunteers on providing Bed side assistance for elders and also requested HelpAge India to extend their support in this regard. Mr.Gopal Rao, Organizing Secretary, FAPSCO, appreciated HelpAge India for initiation of ‘Elders for Elders’ program and said that it is a novel approach to elder’s issues. He categorized the problems of elderly _base_d on their economic status as Poor (Their main need is basic amenities), Middle Class (Health problems) and Upper Class (Emotional problems). But few health problems are common to all elders in the society.   He said that HelpAge India alone cannot afford to support all the programs in addressing the issues of elders which are vast and complex in nature; unless the philanthropic people, Corporates and the Government come forward to fund such programs to strengthen the elder _base_d projects and make them run successfully. He criticized the political set up which is biased and are not bothered about Elders issues in the society. He also emphasized to help the needy elders rather than spending money on cultural ceremonies. In order to showcase the strength and voice of Sr.Citizens, he suggested the SCAs to organise processions and rallies on 1st Oct 09 to draw the Government’s attention to Elders issues. Dr. Harvinder S. Bakshi, National Director, Advocacy, HelpAge India, greeted the participants in Regional language (Telugu) and further he released the National Old Age Home Directory 2009 and formally inaugurated the ‘Elders for Elders’ program. He shared his experience from his visit to Help Line 1253 Office located in GHMC premises on the same day and has much appreciated the services of Help Line 1253. He suggested that the _title_ of the programme should be “Support services by urban elderly” instead of Support services for urban elderly. Further he explained about the issues related to aging; and said that the prime responsibility lies with the Government in providing a secured life to the Elders. He also explained that the efforts of HelpAge India yielded its result in the formulation of ‘National Policy on Older Persons’ (NPOP) in 1999. HelpAge India’s initiation and lobbying also resulted in the formulation of ‘Parents and Sr.Citizens Welfare Act 2007’. The process of implementation of the said Act is in slow mode and needs to be speeded up by SCAs efforts. He said that HelpAge India has the largest fleet of Mobile Medicare Units in Asia and has been recognized by the Limca Book of World Records.    The idea behind the “Elders for Elders” program is to provide a platform for the Sr.Citizens and Federations to fight for their Rights and En_title_ments. OPEN HOUSE: S.Dass, Joint Director, A.P started the Open House session and stated the need of all SCA’s and Federations to “come under one Umbrella and present as one voice”. He further requested all the Sr.Citizens to think over this issue and come up with their decisions in the next Quarterly meet so that a way forward can be decided together. He further said that HelpAge India is a member of the planning commission, State Advisory board and has lobbied in getting ‘Parents and Sr.Citizens maintenance Act 2007’. However this is not being implemented effectively due to lack of coordination between Sr. Ctitzen Federations in demanding the Government for proper implementation of the Act. In this regard, he stressed on the need to get all the Elders in A.P together under one Umbrella and with one voice to fight for the Rights and En_title_ments. When this happens, Elders together can even draft their demands and project to all the Political parties declaring that Elders will support the party which assures the implementation of their demands. He also assured that if all the elders come together, HelpAge India will be by their side and facilitate in strengthening and Capacity building of the Sr.Citizens on their Rights and En_title_ments. Mr. David Raju, member of Sr.Citizens Association, expressed that a moral and emotional support by elders to each other has to be inculcated, also an interactive session for elders along with family members can be initiated on 1st Oct every year. Mr.Potham Setty, member of APSCON, said that a separate queue for Elders in all the Government Counters has to be made mandatory and display boards to be placed in front of the Counters. The Concession in Bus Transport is very meager and it has to be increased. A Silent procession for Elders issues can be initiated in coordination of all the Sr.Citizens Associations in Hyderabad. Mr.Seetharama Swamy, member of Sr.Citizens Association, Malkajgiri, said that Political parties fail to keep up the promises made during the election campaigns once they come into power, so it should be strongly conveyed to them that the elders will not entertain such parties. Mr.Anjaneyulu, Sr.Citizens Association, Nagole, made the participants aware of Articles 21, 41, and 46, he stressed on the need to fight for the Elders Rights and En_title_ments basing on these Articles. He also explained with paper clippings about the different G.O’s and statements made by Government which have not been implemented till now. He strongly stated that Elders should come together and join hands and raise their voice as
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