Bengaluru Bengaluru

April 2014 Antithesis That Makes One Great Talk by Sudhanva Desai at Oct 2014 Acupressure – Talk by Dr. Balasubramanyam Reddy was organised at Hebbal Coffee Chavadi Vidyaranyapuram Chavadi

April 2014 Dr. Venkatesh from Fortis Hospital: a talk on Cardiology. Nov 2014 Kannada Rajyotsava Celebration, a wonderful state festival celebrated and enjoyed by members. April 2014 Pot luck organised at Mahalakshmipuram Chavadi where Dignitarians came out with their new recipes Nov 2014 Visit to IISc by Vidyaranyapuram Chavadi – A two day seminar.

April 2014 Organ Donation by Members Of Good Hearted Souls Nov 2014 Talent show of Members organised at Vijayanagar Chavadi.

April 2014 Diabetic Information by Dr. Radha Dec 2014 CSR activity by Standard Chartered Bank made Dignitarians play games and enjoy refreshments sponsored by them. May 2014 Enjoy dance by Seema, aerobics instructor Dec 2014 Quiz on Physics was organised by Hebbal Chavadi by May 2014 “Stealth in Modern Electronic Warfare” our Dignitarian Shakuntala. – Mr. PSR RAO had a wonderful talk with slide show Dec 2014 Anita Chandra from New Jersey U S A made herself free to educate May 2014 Legal tips - Mr. Murthy retd. Manager SBI, wonderful legal hour at Dignitarians on “Maintaining Your Health” at Jayanagar Chavadi. Vijayanagar Chavadi Dec 2014 Preventing disease as you age: a Talk June 2014 Held the first Carom Tournament in the month of June at Jayanagar Chavadi. Dignitarians participated in good numbers and Dec 2014 Recollecting our four Years of the centre -- 4th year Anniversary prizes were awarded to the winners. celebrated at Vidyaranyapuram Chavadi

June 2014 Talk on Satellite Technology and its application was held at Dec 2014 M C Rangarajan talked on “Tata’s New Car Running On Air” Vidyaranyapuram Chavadi. – Automobile idea sharing by Members

July 2014 Maiya's a well known restaurant demonstrated their recipes at the Jan 2015 Rajeshwari from Sagar Hospital spoke about prevention of Fall and Jayanagar Chavadi, and they had brought all the ingredients, and Preventive at Jayanagar Chavadi. held demo of many recipes. Jan 2015 Story Telling-Akbar Birbal/Tenali Ramakrishna – Dignitarians went Aug 2014 Image building through Soft Skills (In English) by Mr. MSR Rao, back to their school days and recalled stories they remembered. a stimulating full hour with the scientist. Feb 2015 Frontiers in Medicine at Narayana Hrudayalaya on 24th 25th of Sep 2014 Fancy dress competition at Jayanagar Chavadi. Dignitarians February 2015. dressed themselves like brides and bridegrooms of different culture and demonstrated the unity in diversity. Feb 2015 NU Hospital organised a mega health camp and free health check up was done for Dignitarians. Sep 2014 Interesting and useful information about DD Magazine was discussed. Mar 2015 Dr. Radha Murthy of Nightingales Medical Trust gave a talk on Active Ageing. Sep 2014 Talk on Mother Theresa at Vidyaranyapuram Chavadi. It seemed Dignitarians comprehensively understood the depth of her suffering Mar 2015 Ali Khwaja of Banjara Academy related to seniors at Hebbal Chavadi.

40 41 Chennai Chennai

April 2014 We ushered in the Tamil New Year with a ‘pattimandram’ – a debate Sep 2014 The Steering Committee, Helpline Committee and Events Committee in Tamil on the topic “Science & Technology or Spiritualism – What comprising of enthusiastic Dignitarians were formed .They are now helps senior citizens in their Golden Years” by members of the very active groups and support all activities of D.F. Kamban Kazhagam and a karaoke on yesteryear melodies. Oct 2014 We conducted Suraksha Bandhan where we went to schools and April 2014 Dignitarian, S.V.Sekar released the 1st issue of our bilingual encouraged the children to tie Suraksha Bandhan bands to their Newsletter which we have been rolling out month after month since grandparents with a vow that they would never do anything to hurt 2013. It has helped us share and discuss our projects, our them. Painting, slogan and quiz competitions were conducted for kids achievements, our hopes and has become a forum where our on the theme of grandparents. “Quizzing with your grandparent” was members could express themselves in both Tamil and English. the theme where each participating team had to have one senior and a child. It was a beautiful evening where at the event children who May 2014 We started the “Summer Camp with a Difference” – where our had not come with a grandparent and seniors who had come without Dignitarians spent time with children, taught them life skills and a child quickly bonded, formed teams and were soon guessing away! recreated the atmosphere of ‘summer at patti, thatha’s house’. Two It was conducted by The Hindu Young World Quiz Master summers down and this has been a great success! V.V.Ramanan, who held the audience’s attention all the time. May 2014 D.F. was awarded the Rolling Shield for the Best NGO by Bahaii Oct 2014 World Elders Day was celebrated and the theme was “Anecdotal Association at a grand event at Chinmaya Vidyalaya Evidence”. We discussed the helpline cases that we had received and June 2014 We celebrated the 19th Anniversary of Dignity Dialogue. We the solutions to their problem. The panel comprised of former DGP, honoured Sahitya Academy Award Winner Asoka Mitran. Danseuse Letika Charan, Hon’ble Justice Mathivanan, Madras High Court and Dr. Anita Ratnam spoke on how literature and art could be a window senior Journalist Ramalingam. The session was moderated by Raza to one’s expression and emotions. Author Dr. Kamalie Sripal and Narayanan. R.V.Rajan encouraged seniors to write, read and learn new things. We recognised contributors to our magazine and Dr. Anita Ratnam Oct 12, 2014 We celebrated World Arthritis Day at GRT Convention Centre. released Dignitarian Malathi Subramanian’s Anthology of Poems. Starting with a good breakfast, we held games for seniors, Dr. Arumugham spoke on “Winning Arthritis” and actor and July 2014 We conducted a “Health and Wellness Camp” for the benefit of comedian Ramesh Khanna had the audience in splits with his senior citizens at Gallery Shree Parvathi Hall. It was a weeklong humour. programme where Uma, a yoga and wellness exponent from Maldives, taught them simple yoga and relaxation techniques for 45 seniors Nov 2014 We organised a 3 day tour to Courtallam – the Spa of South India in with music and dance. This was very well received. the Western Ghats. Dhanapaul and Sasi Rekha accompanied 18 Dignitarians on a tour that came back with great memories to Aug 2014 We celebrated the Independence Day at the office with flag hoisting cherish. and a tour of “Known places but Unknown facts” by Raza Narayanan, a visual tour of places where the Freedom Movement was Dec 2014 To create awareness about D.F, the problems of the elderly and the significant in Chennai. support they require we organised a “Walkathon on the Marina”. Our Dignitarians, senior citizens, students and members of different Aug 2014 We also started celebrating the birthdays of our members at different organisations in Chennai participated. It was a fun event starting old age homes so that we double our joy and make life more with yoga, warm ups, flag off by Actor Sivakumar and his ever interesting for the less unfortunate. We had also collected and inspiriting talk. We ended having a scrumptious breakfast donated clothes and rugs for the residents. Dec 2014 The 5th Anniversary of our Dementia Day Care Centre was Sep 2014 The Free Legal Clinic which is an offshoot of DIGNITY HELPLINE celebrated on the lawns of the Centre in Palavakkam. M.K. was inaugurated by Justice Bhaskaran. It was spearheaded by Narayanan, ex-governor, West Bengal was the chief guest and Advocate Raza Narayanan. Every month ungrudgingly he helped us Dr. P.V. Dhananjayan, dance maestro was the special guest. We had deal with and advice seniors on legal entanglements. Through the over 100 invitees. Free Legal Cell more than 150 seniors had benefitted. This initiative brought us lot of public visibility.

42 43 Chennai Goa

Jan 2015 We kick started the New Year with an “Appraisal and Planning April 2014 to Frontiers in Medicine Meeting” March 2015 A day out for Piku movie Investor’s awareness programme Jan 2015 Celebrated Republic Day at our office with flag hoisting and Kreeda Eat right and Stay right games -- which brought in their wide array of board games and toys Investment opportunities for seniors of yesteryears. Dignitarians enjoyed reliving their childhood days and Usage of smart phone for seniors shared memories of playing them in their younger years. Women’s day celebration

Jan 2015 We celebrated Pongal with the traditional Pongal Panai and games Jan 10, 2015 Regular chai masti sessions commenced like tug of war and ‘uri adikirathu’.

Jan 2015 We organised a three day trip to Yelagiri - a hill station in the Vellore District. Dignitarians thoroughly enjoyed the break and company.

Feb 2015 The free library for seniors was inaugurated in our office by noted journalist and author His Highness, Shree Kumar Varma and Prof. Aludiapillai. We now have an exclusive collection of more than 1000 books from the personal collections of avid book lovers.

Feb 2015 We started a new Tehneer Arangam centre in Anna Nagar. The first programme was “ Vilaiyadalam Vaango” by Kreeda games

March 2015 We hosted the Healthcare event, a two day symposium on Allopathy and Alternate Medicine. Doctors from different specialties spoke on Kolkata the latest advancements in healthcare followed by an interactive session.

March 2015 We celebrated International Women’s Day, where we honoured July 2015 We support Health and Hygiene Project in different Old Age Homes well-known author Sivasankari, Meiyammai Murugappan, Visalakshi in Kolkata. “Sohomormi” an Old Age Home in Dhakuria benefited Ramaswamy and Dr.P.Manorama – all elderly women who continue this time. We conducted a General Health Camp in Sohomormi on to inspire people with their work. 24th July. There was a general health check up including BP, Sugar, ECG, Height and Weight followed by Doctor’s consultation. As a part March 2015 In March we started working for the underprivileged seniors in the of the Hygiene support, we distributed Health and Hygiene products slums of Saidapet and Kannagi Nagar. We work closely with the like phenyl, lizol, handwash, soap, savlon etc to the residents. community to find out their problems, build trust and help them. We have conducted a free eye camp with Udhi Eye Clinic for the Aug 2015 On 15th August WBHIDCO invited D.F to Senior Citizens Park elderly in both areas. 20 free cataract surgeries were done and we (Swapna Bhor) at New Town in Rajarhat. There was a cultural sponsored glasses for 50 seniors who were prescribed the same. programme organised by all Four Chai Masti centres. The programme Health, financial inclusion, empowerment, skills development, started with the welcome speech of the Chairman, Debashis Sen introduction of Government schemes are some of the projects we are followed by the performances of the Chai Masti Centres... The working on. We are helping them open bank accounts and sponsoring Independence Day Special Programme was highly appreciated by the health/accident insurance put forward by the Government. We are nearly 95 seniors who were present in the auditorium. It was a great also working to get the govt sponsored schemes they are eligible to outing for the seniors on that day, as Transport facility (Pick and receive. Drop) was being provided by HIDCO.

Mar 2015 We have started the free ration service where we supply free ration to needy seniors who can no longer work and do not have anybody to support them. 30 seniors have benefitted from this scheme.

44 45 Pune Pune

April 4, 2014 Session on Managing Hypertension and Diabetes by Homeopathy Feb 24, 2015 Session on Water management....a challenge for the globe by Crispino Lobo April 15, 2014 ECG Checkup camp by Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanawadi, Mar 9, 2015 International Women's Day-A Documentary Screening April 27, 2014 Dignity Dialogue Anniversary Event at Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanawadi on Gender Equality

May 12, 2014 Hobby and Talent show. . Mar 10, 2015 Dental and General Heath check up by Apollo Dental Hospital,

May 13, 2014 Demonstration of Yoga Techniques and Pranayam by Mar 13, 2015 Celebrated the Holi festival of colours. Natasha Menezes April 2014 to 57 Govt of Maharashtra Senior Citizen’s ID cards were issued. July 4, 2014 Dr Sheilu Sreenivasan’s visit to DF Pune to address all members. March 2015 Members enthusiastically responded by signing up to volunteer in committees to run the activities. April 2014 to 190 Helpline cases received at Pune Helpline, out of which 98 cases March 2015 are active and 92 are closed after satisfactory resolution. July 22, 2014 Outing to New Iskon Temple April 2014 to Under the Dignity Companionship project 18 members were Aug 11, 2014 Wine tasting programme. March 2015 provided with companionship volunteers

Oct 6, 2014 Tried and Tested Ayuvedic Medicines from Haridwar, addressed by Dr Tabib April 2014 to Dignity Discovery to mitigate loneliness – a quarterly trip to scenic March 2015 sites near Pune. The trip encourages people to come together and Nov 12, 2014 World Elders Days Celebrations forge new friendships. One picnic to Iskon Temple was very popular.

Nov 14,2014 Children’s Day Celebration April 2014 to Dignity Ration Programme: Monthly basket of basic provision to help March 2015 10 Leprosy families. Nov 18,2014 Free Medical checkup by Sanctus Healthcare

Dec 9,2014 Diabetes Management followed by free medical checkup and physio assessment by Sanctus Healthcare

Dec 15, 2014 Christmas celebrations

Jan 2, 2015 New Year Celebrations 20 st Jan 9, 2015 Prevention of Heart Disease by Dr. Kulkarni ru f T Years o Jan 16, 2015 Greriatric Health by Dr Rain

Feb 14&15 Frontiers In Medicine – two days of Talks by various 2015 physicians and therapists

Feb 20, 2015 A Bhajan Programme by Kadambari Bhajan Group

Feb 23, 2015 Session on Counseling and Mental Health issues of mentally challenged adults-conducted by Dr Neelima Desai

46 47 Loneliness Mitigation Centres A great variety of experiences members receive including outing, Talks, Celebrity meetings, spiritual inspirations, performances and Euphemistically referred other active participatory events. Around 1500 senior citizens come on a daily basis to the 18 centres across 7 cities – mitigating loneliness and enriching lives. The Chai to as ‘Chai Masti’ Masti centres are a beehive of activity, laughter, learning, and bonding, expanding of horizons and most importantly, of belonging.

The concept of Chai Masti is built on the sound Buddhist principles of Kalyana Mitrata. In Buddhist writings a friend is endowed with seven qualities, worth associating with: Life at Chai Masti…… 1. He gives what is hard to give. Life after retirement can be quite lonely as a person no longer has an active social 2. He does what is hard to do. circle. There is no meaningful activity that one has every morning when one wakes 3. He endures what is hard to endure. up and there could be a sense of loss of identity. All this leads to a deep sense of 4. He reveals his secrets to you. 5. He keeps your secrets. loneliness and loss of self-image. Even if some people are lucky to live with their 6. When misfortunes strike, he doesn’t abandon you. children, they realise that everyone is busy with their own lives and have no time or 7. When you’re down and out, he doesn’t look down on you inclination to talk to older adults. Loneliness leads to depression which in turns leads to many health problems. Despite the common image of the Buddhist as the ultimate solitary wanderer, we see from the above and other verses throughout D.F.’s Loneliness Mitigation centres are euphemistically referred to as Chai Masti Buddhism, the central importance of admirable friendship. Two sides centres. These centres provide a platform for senior citizens to interact socially, of admirable friendship are discussed: build a support network, boost their self esteem and lead an active life. The centres *The first is finding and cultivating admirable friendships, as opposed run from Monday to Friday for 2 hours, usually 4 pm to 6 pm. to our ordinary, everyday friends. Loneliness Mitigation Centres have structured activities to promote: *The second side is in how we, as friends, may best support one another on the path. • Social interaction and sharing with peers • Learning new skills Supplemented by Psychologist Eric Ericsson’s concept of Ego Integrity • Physical and spiritual well being as a very desirable goal to achieve in one’s senior citizen hood, this • Offer a platform to display their talents and get recognition Buddhist principle of Kalyana Mithratha has been implemented on Some of the key structured activities conducted at the Loneliness ground by D.F. in order to help senior citizens work towards a level of Mitigation Centres are: equanimity and self respect through the daily enriching programmes.

• Guided Tai Chi • Quiz • Yoga • Games • Bridge, Carom, Chess etc. • Old Hindi Songs/Movie Screening • Antakshari • Talks by doctors, financial experts, Lawyers, etc. • Birthday Celebrations • Festival Celebrations 20 st ru f T • Group Singing • Indian Dance Years o

48 49 function, and joined it with a wavering mind Chembur Centre Mumbai because 4 pm was not suitable to me. I thought maybe I will attend it once a week. Mira Road Centre But on 28th October my mother expired. I was grieving badly. On 31st October I got call from our Co-ordinator Elizabeth, that Dignity Chai- Masti will start from 1st November and I thought this as His divine intervention….and started attending its sessions. Since then I have never looked back. Every evening at the stroke of 4 I am at our popular joint Chai Masti. My personal thanks to Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan to have come up with this concept and lighten our Says Dignitarian Ravikumar Vutha lives forever! I can’t imagine life without it. Darshna Thakker, Coordinator (50) Life has truly changed its course after we

I will complete 3 years with D.F. by end of this have taken membership at D.F. It has year. When I joined Dignity as a chai masti co become a school for us at this age, educating Says Elizabeth Alfred (55) Coordinator, ordinator I thought I will have to be a person us on many aspects, giving us an Mira Road who will have to continually give pep talks and opportunity to meet new people, make I had spent a large part of my professional motivate the senior citizens to enjoy friends, celebrate various festivals, career as a nurse mostly caring for Senior senior citizens and society at large. life but I understand different cultures, organize Citizens. I joined DF on 8th October, 2007 was in for a pleasant shock. The senior citizens several events etc. We have all been in a as Coordinator. The Centre serves as a of Chembur chai masti centre are fun loving, cocoon of family responsibilities and career second home not only for the members but full of energy and child like enthusiasm. for all these years burying our inner talent & over the years for the Co-coordinators as skills. It was D.F. which pulled us out of the well. By virtue of sharing our joy, sorrow and I am no longer afraid of ageing because cocoon with flying colors and gave wings to happiness with the seniors, we often forget they have taught me to age gracefully, our creativity. A personality change has our domestic problems. I have by now while having fun. taken place. I am no more a shy person. Says Jitendra Prasad Verma, I joined in become a part and parcel of the organisation I now love dancing, singing, having fun with 2008; my very first day was most thrilling. It I have become a better daughter to my and its mission of service to humanity. I am my friends and most importantly, do not shy was a very great experience to meet together parents and am able to now truly understand confident that in the coming years we will all away from flirting with my wife in open! with seniors from all parts of India and all their needs. I have come to a stage where grow with expanded vision and dedication. I have again become a naughty teenager! faiths-- a real life case of unity in diversity in I feel that not just Chembur centre but Hence, there was always this fun, crazy, loving friendships. The programmes are very entire D.F. is my extended family. witty, unexplored side of me which got interesting and varied -- from Yoga, Tai-Chi, unraveled through D.F. Kudos to Dignity! I am truly grateful to D.F. for having faith Aerobics, Dancing, Talks, Games & Picnics; I We are really enjoying this second innings of in my work and giving me this opportunity to also enjoy all the programmes. I particularly our life! I eagerly look forward to attend my do good work for love the magazine Dignity Dialogue which is school nowadays! so informative and touching in covering great lives of simple people and celebrities...

20 st ru f T Years o Says Dr Vijaya Bhatia, I remember 18th October 2007 when Dignity Chai Masti was inaugurated at Mira Road; I attended the 50 51 Happy Times at Chai Masti Powai varied backgrounds. Coming from the world By Dr. Jeanette Pinto of technology I enjoy sharing my knowledge and skill to co-members. I am amazed at the I have been a member of the D.F. for the past 5 years or more. The Chai Masti session was then level of grasping and enthusiasm from people held in the basement of the ADAPT building in Chembur. We were about 25 active members ranging from 60 to 90 years! Today we have then. We had a young vivacious Coordinator named Dianne Tauro who addressed every one of one of the most active WhatsApp groups us as Aunty or Uncle, and who brought much life into the activities. This I suppose made us feel with over 200 messages daily. With this new like one big family. I enjoyed all the activities as per the schedule. group I have traveled far and wide to Bhutan, Dubai, North India, Daman, Over the years I have seen more new members join, and now our Dignity Recreation Center Lonawala etc. Every day at 5pm it is pure seems to be bursting at its seams. The hall in the same building is a vibrant place full of energy excitement to walk into our centre and greet and life on most days of the week. On an average there are around 40 -50 active people all. I strongly recommend seniors to join attending and participating in the various programmes. The activities are well balanced DF.CM. providing all seniors to enjoy their recreation/ Chai masti time fruitfully and with much joy. Some enjoy playing cards or board games, while some may even just sit and chat. There is excellent participation at the Birthday celebration of members and at the different festival Kadambari Joshi (72), Coordinator celebrations. Some of the ladies put in much effort to revive tradition in a creative way. I manage the Powai centre with 100 plus What is good about Chai Masti is that there is a physical routine, as well as a social platform for members from its inception in 2013. It is members to participate or even make new friends. There is fun, laughter and friendship galore. A very enriching to see people coming with couple of interesting talks too have been arranged. The atmosphere is very enervating and the personal emotional baggages but slowly and cuppa tea and an occasional snack complete the evening. Some brain games, book/ social issue steadily lighting up. Ours is a very energetic discussions, or perhaps short local outings would be welcome. Picnics have been fun too. Our group with lots of in-house activity through present Coordinator Darshna is a lady who has a pleasant nature and is encouraging and the week. Almost each month we get away motivating in her approach. She sees to it that all are having a good time, and also actively to exotic places such as Bhutan, Dubai, involves and participates in the various activities. Haridwar, Mt Abu, Daman to name a few. Personally, having retired as a teacher in Says Dignitarians Amita Mehta Personally I enjoy most sessions and would not miss an opportunity to be present at the Chai Kendra Vidyalaya after 40 year stint, it Masti every day. I have learnt Tai Chi, which I had no knowledge of. The Aerobics and the Yoga seems to me I am having a fresh crop of I joined the CM Powai right at the start. sessions provide me with the necessary physical exercise. I also enjoy the birthday bashes with second inning children one hundred of them! From a lonely status, now I am full of friends the fun games and the camaraderie. From the social angle D.F. has provided me with the from all walks of life. My granddaughter is opportunity to appreciate the gift of life and friendship of the elderly. More power to Dignity actually jealous of me as my WhatsApp does Chai Masti- Chembur! not stop ringing. She says ‘Granny’ you have so many friends!!!” Really the Powai centre has brought a big change in my life and I look forward to going to the centre each evening, to the extent that I won the ‘Most Regular’ award in the recently concluded 2nd Anniversary Party of Powai centre. Besides the fun there are also various discounts one gets from Medical stores, Restaurants to beauty parlours !!! 20u st Tr Says Dignitarian Ganesh Iyer of Years I joined Dignity Chai Masti Powai centre about 18 months back. It has been greatly enriching with new friends and a great learning experience. I have met people from 52 53 Navi Mumbai where we can share and exchange our together and we look forward to making views, thoughts, and opinions, discuss more such visits. We sing, dance share jokes Nandkumar Patil (57), Coordinator issues, new developments with our during birthdays and this brings us closer to intimate, open minded friends. Their This September I completed 8 months of my one another and keeps us happy. I have enthusiasm and the activities inspired us a association with D.F. With my earlier made a lot of friends and reunited with a lot great deal to think and be energetic to do corporate background it was entirely different of my old friends. ‘Chai Masti’ friends have more towards society. The activities like field for me even though I always wanted to do enriched me and I look forward to having Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, Aerobics, singing, my little bit for society. Co-ordinator our weekly meetings to plan for daily dancing, telling jokes, recitation and such assignment came at just the right time for me programmes. Now we are gearing up for our like keeps us physically as well as mentally to offer services to Senior Citizens at the presentation on fit. We are also celebrating everyone's Loneliness Mitigation Centre. This unique 1st October, 2015. birthday on a month wise basis to feel experience has brought out my hidden Says Dignitarian Meenakshi Kapadia good belonging to a group. The most capabilities of having a good communication, Grant Road Centre important aspect of joining here is its My sister and I joined D.F. in the year 2004. leadership skills, organising sessions and contribution to make us realise that Samata Kalra – Coordinator (55), Grand Since then we have made many friends here. We simultaneously exercise lot of patience. The “even” being a senior person like ourselves Centre, Mumbai all go together for movies, to restaurants and interaction with Senior Citizens sharing of a we have our own importance and are also jointly celebrate each other's birthdays. By lot of experiences has given me an opportunity This November it will be exactly four years given guidance as well as all the support joining ‘Chai Masti’ centre I have gained a lot of to learn and enjoy the collective activities of of my association with D.F. I'm at a stage that are needed which will ultimately confidence and lost all my stage fright by fun, fitness and recreation. now that I am ready to convince each and result in being beneficial to our country. participating in all activities. All the programmes every senior citizen I pass by on the road to conducted here are very useful especially Tai become a member of D.F. and to be able to Chi, Yoga, Aerobics and other exercises. enjoy all that it has to offer and experience Although I live far from the Centre, I come here the 360° change in their lives. regularly as it gives me an opportunity to spend my time fruitfully and happily. I have not used I have always had a passion for senior the discount booklet as the places mentioned citizens and doing my duties as a are quite far from my residence. coordinator has been a positive outlet for the same. Not having any idea of all that my work would involve, I was unprepared for the changes that have come into my members and my own life. The biggest Says Dignitarians Gautam Goswami advantage is the totally unconditional love Says Dignitarian Kiran Bhalla and respect from almost all of them. Vashi Dignity Centre has grown from a I continue to be amazed at their zest for life mere four members to 35 in a short span and untiring efforts to go on and on even if of few months. We are lucky to have a sometimes it becomes a little difficult to do beautiful centre at New Bombay Bengali so physically. They love picnics, parties and Association. We meet for different joyously relive their childhood at birthday celebrations. It is immensely satisfying to sessions like yoga, Zumba and Tai Chi in Dinshaw Mehta addition to lectures on nutrition, see them bloom under appropriate guidance physiotherapy, Bhagwad Geeta. We had a and I've seen innumerable success stories My wife and I are a part of D.F. since the year story telling session which was interesting that continue to inspire me every single day. 2010. We like coming to ‘Chai Masti’ centre and unique. Our centre donated old Working with them has honed my so we can participate in all the activities conversational, organisational and conducted here. My favourite activities are and Rumjhum Goswami clothes to an adivasi village nearby. leadership qualities. Interacting with them Yoga and Tai Chi. I also like meeting and We recently visited Dignity Lifestyle and a My wife and I joined DF in March 2015. on a daily basis has taught me to be 5Ps - communicating with new people and sharing house-visit to one of the members who I must say we have come to the right place Precise, Practical, Patient, Progressive and experiences with each other. I have been turned 80. All this have brought us which we very much needed. This is the place persevering in all that I do. unable to use the discount booklet up till now. 54 55 Versova • If it is good to do Outing once a while but daily body stretching exercises is a must, Ishrat Nazirkumar(74) Coordinator thanks to Outing and Yoga sessions • Nobody is small or big, rich or poor, black Just as I was getting a little anxious about or white, when individual is progressing in life. having to live a lonely, almost directionless life, • Only aim is to enjoy life gracefully while a Good Samaritan introduced me to the ageing, thanks to different games like organisation called Dignity Foundation. Bridge, Antakshari, Dumb Charade and Chess. I was so taken up by its goals and objectives 20 st ru • Speaking frankly is good relief for stress f T that I wasted no time in seeking membership s o bursting thanks to group sessions all the time. its in 2010. Year On the whole, D.F. converted my retired, Within 5 months I was asked to accept the bored, old age life to an enjoyable and responsibility of being the coordinator of the dignified graceful life. Thanks to D.F and Versova branch. It has been almost five years Says Dignitrian Nayeem Khan Thane Chi Masti Centre. now and I have enjoyed every moment of it In August 2015, I have completed one year as Thane thoroughly. I have learnt that there is no better member in Versova centre. On reflection of the health therapy than having a mind that is past one year, I can say that this centre has Shubha Kamrishi (34) Coordinator fruitfully occupied. When that occupation is added mirth and masti in my life. After It almost 32 Months since I joined. The contributing towards the welfare of fellow retirement there is a gradual reduction in experience is very enriching; I have seen a beings, even in a small measure, the result is contacts with old friends. The Dignity Chai different side of life here. People say life comes not really just good health but also sublime Masti Centre offered me a great platform to have to an end after retirement but I have happiness. new friends on a regular basis. The programmes experienced that life starts after retirement. This appealing occupation has resulted in my from Monday to Friday between 4:00 pm to Thanks to DF for providing me this taking a kind of u-turn on the road of life. 6:00 include a variety of games, songs, yoga and opportunity. discussions on topics of interest, lectures by I feel much younger and rejuvenated. This is Working with Senior citizens is very rich experts. The members can participate as per not just true in my case, but in the case of all experience, you can learn lot about life from their choice, interests and convenience. It is an of us who meet and participate in a variety of them, at this age, the kind of enthusiasm they enriching experience with knowledge addition. activities offered by D.F. This is very apparent bring peps up our own energy and equip us Says Dignitarian Swadesh Marwah Our Coordinator Ishrat Kumar is adept at to all when one sees the cheerful, glowing with an understanding to resolve problem easily. countenance of the members. organising the members and programmes deftly. I had a very busy and fruitful life in the bank Loneliness, which is the bane of most lives at In the childhood days, we played in the evenings To start with, I found it a little difficult to but after retirement I suddenly found myself this stage, has been given a go-bye here. We with friends for physical development. In this match up with senior citizens thought processes very lonely, dull and nothing to look forward have struck new and lasting friendships with second childhood, we play with new friends for a and to understand them well, but thanks to the to. It was God’s grace that I was advised and people who understand our needs at this stage. healthy mind and a healthier body. This social Team they have helped me learn things fast , persuaded by my friend to join D.F. Chai I have learnt that biological age is not of much get-together platform keeps the seniors and now we all work as one big family where Masti at Thane. It was one of the best importance; it is the mental or psychological entertained and healthy. They also organise we have our own roles to play but all to enjoy happenings in the later part of my life. The age that really counts. Dignity has given me picnics. In today’s fast paced life, where other to its fullest. Qualities which I have learnt to Dignity forum has given me the much needed that understanding; that invaluable gift. Our members of the nuclear families have no time practice here are patience, time management, confidence and chance to express myself, chief objective or motto could be interpreted for senior citizens or where some have lost their communication, dealing with issues related to revive my hobbies such as reading, as: “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah: Sarve Santu life- partners, the Centre has a lot to offer to human psychology, and all these have helped in embroidery, cooking and to have a good NiraamayaahSarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu Maa alleviate the loneliness and make life happier making me as a better and confident person. discussions on current topics of the day. Now Kashchit-Dukha-Bhaagbhavet.” I am happy, more cheerful and enjoy life to and healthier. Surely, the D. F. Chai-Masti Says Dignitarian Raja Ram Swadi Let all be happy; Let all be healthy; Let all be Centres are a boon for the health and happiness the fullest and in the way I love. Hence I look I am now more proud as Dignitarian then as safe; Let no one ever suffer from sorrow of Senior Citizens. I suggest that there should forward to more new activities and event for senior citizen because of following: My little endeavour towards that objective in be at least two such inter-centre get-togethers the senior citizens in the years to come. I turn keeps me happy, healthy, safe and ever organised in a year. This will enhance better • I Understand now philosophy as good as thank God for making a great part of this cheerful. Thank you, Dignity for gifting dignity interaction between members of all Dignity Chai technology and realise both are important beautiful organisation: D.F. to our lives. Masti Centres in Mumbai. in life, thanks to Bhagwad Gita sessions 56 57 Vaishali Desai, organised programmes with the day full of Pune Hon. Coordinator, Kalyani Nagar Ahmedabad fun. For the two hours at the Centre, we all forget our home too. The Centre has been so Exactly one year ago, I took charge of the newly formed closely bonded and people are attached to Kalyani Nagar centre. Since then, each other like a family. The only tension I my life has changed for better in ways I never imagined. have is how to spend Saturdays and Sundays My husband and I moved from Mumbai to Pune, and I did and pass the weekend without my friends not have a friend’s circle of my own in this city. I was feeling since Centre works only 5 days a week. depressed sitting at home -- wanting to find what and how I can use my time and energy. As a boon, and by chance, I met Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan, and she trusted me and handed over the responsibility of starting a new centre in Pune.

In the process of starting this new centre, and organising different programmes for Chai Masti, Madhvi Mehta - Social Worker and I met so many people from all walks of life, that I had no time to think or worry about Coordinator of Chai Masti centres utilising my time for a cause! All the people I met, they have enriched my life in many ways. The guests at Chai Masti, the members of DF - all have given so much love to me that I do not It’s a point of great pride for me that within miss my children anymore! a year, we have garnered more than 100 members. Physically we reached out to more Now our Chai Masti centre has become like a family. In this one year, we have spent so many than 2000 individuals; 500 persons had great moments together that now we can't imagine our lives without one another. attended our different programmes; more We understand the needs, emotions and feelings for each other. Feel more close to Dignity Says Dignitarian Bhadresh Vora than 50 individuals had been counseled friends, with whom we can share all our feelings! Each one wants to do something or the other I have been coming to the satellite Chai Masti through our Helpline support. From day one for our group, and it's such a good feeling. It’s very hard to make so many friends in a new Centre from day one (Dec 8th onwards) and Ahmedabad Chapter had started to take steps city, especially at this age, but thanks to D.F, I found my happiness. We, all the members of I have not missed any session till date. in the direction of collecting funds to become Kalyani Nagar, have vowed to be together and for each other till the end! My friends at the centre tell me that I am a self reliant. My vision for the future is to open very good singer as well as a good Tabla player. 5 centres in areas such as Paldi, Ranip/ Vadaj, After my voluntary retirement from SBI I was Maninagar, Navrangpura, Bopal. in search of such a group, and it’s my good fortune I found D.F. After my wife's sudden death I had become very lonely and sad, but 20 st once I joined the ‘Chai Masti’ Centre I have ru been able to accept her loss, and become of T Years positive in life again. I have kept myself busy with all the interesting lectures and programmes. I enjoy Fridays’ programmes the most. Now I have made so many new friends who always care for me and make my life worth enjoying once again.

Dr. K. S. Purohit, Gastroenterologist and Says Dignitarian Shrilkeha Bhatt speaker at 'Frontiers in Medicine', held in I am a very active member of our satellite February 2015, says: I like the word DIGNITY, Chai Masti Centre ever since I became a it is an excellent expression of what senior member in April 2015. I am happy to say that citizens are; the word gives value to a person's I have never missed a single day. People say I character. Seniors are most valuable and are am very good as a mimicry artist and I always pillars of society as they can guide the younger try to entertain members with her own life generation for positive achievement. D.F. is National Anthem by Mr V Sundaram Key note by Chief Guest-Ms Vinita Deshmukh experiences. I love to get involved in all the doing an excellent service to the society. 58 59 One of the recent innovative programmes is masti’ group, I could see that everyone has their Preethi Pereira, Social Worker Chennai the introduction of special interest clubs Goa own problem but were still living life to the and Co-ordinator and the involvement of members which has fullest. I too developed the positive attitude, zest taken them to a new level. We now screen I still remember the time when we started our 1st for life. I learnt how to stay fit and not to ever movies at our centre on a big projector chai masti at Goa and the members had just worry about old age. Now I know old age is just screen and Dignitarians enjoy it with tea enrolled for the reason that they were single and a number. Members of our Chai Masti group and snacks. lonely with no one to look after them. Their main have developed a mutually supportive mind set, concern was ‘what if any medical emergency and we would like to share this with other Dignitarian Experience would come and who is going call the ambulance chapter members. for us?’ This is what they shared with me and I I was Vice President in a big private firm. could see the pain in their depressed sad eyes After retirement, I was lost for things to do. with no self confidence. I came to know about D.F. and visited their office and started frequenting their Tehneer But when I look at them now, I really feel proud. Arangam at Teynampet. I have made very I can see confidence twinkle in their eyes, they good friends, learnt bridge and now share are no more worried aboutloneliness, they have great evenings with my peer group. Certain made many friends, and I have seen a total Dhanapaul Arumgham, Coordinator of programmes conducted by Dignity like the change as attested to in their dressing, which is all ‘Tehneer Arangam’ in Chennai healthcare event were useful. smart and cheerful. Our members get to bring Ajith Gupchup G.R. Sunderamoorthy friends for sampling a few sessions, and sure By organising a variety of Tehneer Arangam enough the next day I get a call from them about My father expired in Dec 2000 and this came as a programmes, I have had the opportunity to I have been a member of Dignity for the wanting to join D.F. great shock to all of us. Mother never really got network with many resource persons and feel past seven years. I like all the activities of over it. She would brood throughout the day and proud and happy to have been instrumental I know each and every member personally now Dignity especially tours that have been pour her heart out to anybody who would come to in sharing their experience with Dignitarians. and feel happy to see how they have changed and organized for us and the special events like visit her. After a while people stopped coming to I see them living their life to the fullest. This the healthcare event and literary event. I our house and the relatives too would rarely call. I feel happy that we have had lot of coverage I feel is my gain and satisfaction. enjoyed acting in the drama and enjoy from the media about the events at our Four years had passed and she had come to stay meeting people of my age group and look Tehneer Arangam centres which in turn have with me in Mumbai. She had become a very forward to all the future events. The helped us in our membership drive. We have lonely woman and had almost forgotten to smile. company and support is such a blessing in been sending our Tehneer Arangam schedules Nothing would make her happy and we at home this age! Amutha Raghavan to members who have not renewed, who after were just not able to make her comfortable. At this seeing our interesting programmes have point in time I remembered having attended a talk renewed their membership. Dignitarians call on the D.F. I called up the organisation helpline to ask for our programme schedule if they and explained the situation. In two days time we have missed out on it. had two counsellors visiting us. They sat for a good hour and half and promised to come again Says Dignitarian Elizabeth Rodrigues the following week. Their visits helped and Mom became a little cheerful. I was really impressed. I complete 7 months of my membership with D.F. I remember the day I was invited for ‘Frontiers in I stopped working at the age of 65 and around Medicine programme’ hosted by Dignity. That’s July 2014 I joined the Goa chapter of the D.F.… when I first got associated with Dignity and the I ached to give something back to the society. The ‘Chai Masti’. I always look forward to joining the good deed done by the D.F. at Mumbai had next ‘Chai Masti’. I like the simplicity of the motivated me. What I like about the ‘Chai Masti’ members and I like to meet them, hear is that we can be ourselves! There is nothing to memorable moments of their life and share mine. gain or lose so the need to impress anyone is not there, so automatically you have no mask to I always use to think that I have a problem in wear. The most important thing I’ve learnt is that dealing with old age, but when I met the ‘chai there is no one in this world without problems! Courtallam Trip Pongal 60 61 Pune

CASE 1: We connected them to an MD (Psychiatry), DIGNITY from their panel and enquired if he could Non receipt of Voters ID card and name treat the patient. After receiving his missing from Voters’ list problem confirmation, we passed on the Doctor’s HELPLINE The client (woman -- 62.) called to register contact details and address to the Client’s her complaint that she had not received her daughter. The daughter said that her father voter’s card though she submitted the required responded well to the medication and he slept Form 6 at her constituency in Pune District well for 2 or 3 days. However, oversleeping well in time. She was not allowed to vote even became a problem and after a number of though she had her old voters ID issued from difficulties in treatment lasting several days, her old constituency, where she stayed the patient finally settled down with regular previously. She had approached practically sleep and medication routine after doctor’s everyone who was election authorities, intervention. The Client’s family was including her friends but none could help. appreciative of the efforts taken by DF to find Finally, she approached our Helpline. The solutions to a complicated situation arising Dignity Helpline volunteer went online to the out of doctor’s unavailability. Maharashtra Chief Election Officer’s website and searched. The search was successful and CASE 3: the information about the Client’s voter ID Psychological support to overcome card was displayed online including loneliness Constituency, Voting Centre, the client’s serial The client’s (Male. 74 years) called on Pune number in the voting list and most important helpline and narrated his feeling about DF & the Voter’s ID number. also talked about the phase which he has Since the client had additionally complained going through. He explained about his that she had not received her Voter ID card, DF loneliness and related issues. He was totally phoned up the Election helpline and obtained depressed when he first time called on the the information that the Client helpline. He is staying as PG (paying guest) could collect her Voter’s Card from the local close to our office. Due to loneliness he has Talathi’s office, which too was passed onto her. no desire to live. We took him into our chai Day 1 to Day 14: Client had to make couple of masti sessions daily, giving him a chaperon visits to the Talathi’s and other offices before support to come and go. they could locate her Voter’s Card and she got We counseled him about mingling with other it finally. She thanked DF profusely. members which will help him to come out of How Many Older Adults Did Helpline Help? CASE 2: the negative feelings. Almost for one week he attended CM activities and we could see the Needed reference of Doctor to treat difference in his health. One of DF helpline During the 12 months Helpline Counselors answered 8,943 calls from Older Adults asking Dementia patient volunteer helped him to seek treatment for directly for help, advice and protection. About 290 of these used our crisis counseling one-to- The client’s (Male 86 years) daughter called to his physical and mental health issues. His one, including email counseling services, personal visits to the home of the clients, and get the reference of a doctor to treat her father health improved gradually. He started to visit thousands received trusted information on the website's several sections and queries who was a Dementia patient. Of late he was DF every day and participate in all activities. responded to. The good news in Helpline services is that the new segments of below-the- not sleeping and just sits for most of the time. He is happy and has found friends at DF. The caregivers were finding it difficult to Many of our regular members are supporting poverty level elders also were enabled to access due to the monthly workshops organised from manage. She was seeking a Doctor, who could him to get engaged with activities and March onwards. . treat her father and resolve the problem. discussions. 62 63 Soon the entire family situation improved. Chennai Mumbai Daughter in law suddenly experienced positive change in her mother in law’s behaviour and peace soon settled in after her husband’s Bhavana Kapadia, Social Worker Dhanapaul Arumgham, Social Worker and felt threatened, and feared that treatment. These changes had reduced the ultimately her grandsons would be neglected. Gangutai Shelar (67) was physically healthy daughter in law’s possession episodes Thilagavathy and husband (60 and 65) from She wanted to take away the grandsons, with severe hearing impairment. She is Daughter in law wants to admit her girls to Vellore approached us with the problem of against the wishes of her daughter-in-law. resident of a slum in Gotalia village, at Ashram school for further studies. We are sons; working in the Army is not looking after Jaya came to our office and met our Chembur. She is a widow with two sons and waiting for vacancy. them. Social Worker helped the client to send Advocate. Our Advocate advised that as per two daughters, all married. Both the a petition to the higher ups in the Army. The law, mother is the natural guardian for both daughters and one son are settled. She stays latter responded favourably and apportioned the minor sons and hence law did not permit with her younger son in a small hut built in 4000/ per month out of the son’s salary to be the grandmother to take the children. The the midst of the vegetable market. Her son is sent to them directly for their monthly case was explained to Jaya, and asked to married and has six daughters and one son. Ahmedabad maintenance. The clients were very happy. reconcile with reality. Nothing much could be He is a rickshaw driver, daily wage earning of done. Rs.150. He is an alcoholic with problems of Yogendrabhai (84) had retired as a Post Case2 paranoia. Master. He has a son and five daughters. He Devika (62) from Valasaravakkam called our Alagesan (72) living in Porur approached us. had left his wife 20 years ago, who now stays Gangutai was referred to D.F by the Chembur helpline. Paul Vannan was her son and He served as a civilian in Defence for some with his son. He shifted to Ahmedabad about Police station. She had bruises on her hands Samira, her daughter. Paul got married and 8 years. Due to eye sight problem, he took 2 years ago. He has his own house in Jivaraj and face when she came to register her settled in Hyderabad. Samira was not married, leave and came to Chennai. After that he did Park area, which is illegally possessed by his complaints. Her major complaints were working in a company. Samira got into a love not report back for duty. He wanted to know divorced daughter. She has filed case against physical and verbal abuse by her daughter in affair, strongly resented by mother. Due to this whether he can get pension from the Army. her father about ownership of the house. The law. Due to her hearing impairment it was frequent quarrels were taking place. I decided WE made enquiries and found out that the case is running in Mirazapur court for the past extremely difficult to communicate with her. counseling would benefit both of them. person should serve for a minimum period of 2 years. With no relief, he claims that She was not able to give even her correct Accordingly advised both and few session’s 10 years and hence Alagesan is not eligible presently he stays on the road. address. She wanted her son and his family situation improved tremendously. for the same. Alagesan then wanted to apply for mercy petition to the President of India. to vacate the home and be allowed to live in We had a meeting with the advocate, who had Case 3 There hangs the case. peace. wanted more details which our Volunteer Balan from Mogapour called and shared about I made a home visit to assess the situation. It Desai fetched for us; but due to client not his problem. He underwent treatment at surfaced actually it was our own client who revealing all the facts but hiding the same, and Ramachandra Hospital for his dental problem. Bengaluru was the abuser, and ill treated her daughter in on account of the fact that he was actually They wrongly removed his good teeth instead law, whose famished and dilapidated health staying with his sister and not on the road, of the affected ones. Regarding this he wanted Sandhya S.N condition bore testimony to the abuse. All this was a bad case and the client also refused a complaints letter against concerned doctor. the seven kids resembled their mother in to cooperate with advice. We could not do Our Legal counsel helped him draft a letter to An elder of 80 years came to our office at 6pm terms of health. She had developed mental much with the case despite our trying to find the management of Ramachandra Hospital. one day saying his son who is mentally illness. I also found the son needed de- facts from a variety of sources. Balan gave the letter to Dr. S. Elangkumaran challenged for the past 40 years, and is addiction treatment and got him admitted at Dharmishta Bhatt (61).The Chairman and after which the management called him and missing, and does not know how to go about a Govt hospital nearby. Series of counseling Secretary of her housing society was harassing gave a free treatment to the affected tooth. finding him. We arranged for Police sessions were done with the client and her her by stopping her water supply for more intervention and in 24 hours reunited the daughter in law. After the counseling sessions than 11 months, they forced her to do repairs family. the intensity and frequency of quarrels Unresolved cases to her bathroom and the drainage line for reduced between the two. Jaya, 60 years, a widow from Adayar In our Vijayanagar Chavadi Coordinator Suma more than five times. She needed police approached us. Her son died six months ago consoled a 70 years lady who was suffering Client was explained that she should allow support, so we were advised to approach the by committing suicide. She has two from family abuse to live on her own with her her son and his family to live in her hut. Her Mahila Police who promptly spoke with the grandsons and her daughter-in- law Rani is a son’s help for her routine maintenance. Now daughter in law was counseled against society members. The problem remains solved. teacher. As Jaya realised that her daughter-in- the lady says that this could not have abusing her mother in law. Treatment Dharmishta Bhatt became member of D.F and law is having an extra marital relationship, happened if not our intervention. processes revealed the son was getting better. enjoys daily sessions at the Chai Masti centre. 64 65 Ration Supplies in our office and distribute to the beneficiaries on the first of each month. From 2002 this project has been in vogue. Office space was blocked up with storage of The credit goes to Neha Shah, then Social such groceries for over a week, which turned Worker, for taking the initiative to start this out to be a Herculean task working on the project. Refinement through the years has 2nd Floor of a building in Byculla. When Ration Supplies and seen a near-perfect, hassle free distribution of Localbanya.com offered to deliver at the rations to poor people. door step of the poor old, not only our work but the elderly themselves do not have to Localbanya.com, a premier online struggle anymore carrying some 25 to 30 Knowledge Workshops convenience store, joined hands with D.F. in kgs back home from our office. I applaud delivering rations. As part of this the service mentality of this online stores partnership, Localbanya has taken on the says Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan for BPL Elderly responsibility of helping the Foundation with our procurement needs and providing the Apart from a number of individual necessary logistics support to arrange donations, we owe our grateful thanks to (below the poverty level) deliveries in a timely fashion. donors: Give India, the estate of Late Smt. Bhadra Ranjitlal Sukhadwala, and Ramal D.F. provides Localbanya with a list of Charities. grocery items required to run our programme on a monthly basis which is then in turn sourced and delivered to the poor at their Knowledge Workshops for doorstep. We pay a subsidised rate for the the Poor Old in Slums various items while Localbanya picks up the cost of delivery. Every month over 120 senior citizens are benefited across Mumbai. Sponsored by National Stock Exchange Commenting on this initiative by Known by the title Integrated Social Localbanya, Rashi Choudhary, Co-Founder Support and Health Security For The said, “The basis of the partnership is the Elderly in Mumbai and Chennai, the belief of both the organisations that our National Stock exchange headquartered in elders should not have to struggle for basic Mumbai adopted it as part of their CSR needs and have a right to healthy living. outreach programme. According to Dr. We are very happy to associate ourselves Sheilu Sreenivasan ‘Even to serve the poor with D.F. and help them in our way to make is not an opportunity one can easily get in a difference in the lives of elderly who are life, except as a grace from above” is an oft struggling to make ends meet. In future, repeated dictum I have heard as a child. we would also like to extend this initiative to Twenty full years after the setting up of D.F other cities like Delhi, Pune and Hyderabad to be now endowed with this sort of an where we have a presence.” She further adds, opportunity to dedicate ourselves to the “Apart from helping the senior citizens cause of very poor senior citizens is the through the NGO, we have the noticed a news I want to share with you all. The trend where kids staying in different cities or National Stock Exchange (NSE) abroad order groceries and other items online headquartered in Mumbai has selected our for their parents in India. It’s really pleasing Project for sponsorship that will enable us to see such orders come in.” to undertake a Programme of Action for the Prior to the above arrangement, we were Elderly Poor in the Slums of Mumbai and struggling with bringing such huge quantities Chennai”. These two cities have been of grains and cereals each month, store them selected by NSE. In a process lasting two 66 67 years we would empower 16,800 poor senior citizens in these two cities. “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well” is my personal view. And we chugged along all these years with whatever resources one found along the way. Now with this new enablement for establishing newer milestones in the growth history of our Foundation we hope to intensify the new direction that has opened up. Rationale for the Action Programme

The key problems faced by poorer senior citizens are: • Financial insecurity • Health related problems • Loneliness • Elder abuse • Impediments to mobility

These aspects lead to loneliness, depression, suicidal tendencies even while living with adult children. Among competing economic pressures of the working class children, on whom the elderly poor are dependent, a sense of fear, insecurity and final disempowerment if they opted to speak up about their impoverished and neglected conditions result in real disempowerment sooner than later. While the smaller children of the adult children receive priority over the needs of the “oldies”, a highly sensitive and subtle inequilibrium develops in the enjoyment of scarce comforts at home. The senior citizen is finally driven to live on the fringes of the family structure. His/her awareness about laws, policies and support programmes of the Govt and other large bodies is very low.

Empowering senior citizens with basic awareness and gifting them with various services already in existence at D.F came to be seen as the most important act we could undertake, but with funding support.

Four poorer and congested localities in Mumbai ( BDD Chawl Worli, Dharavi, Jogeshwari East and Sion East Transit Camps) and two in Chennai ( Kannagi Nagar and Saidapet) were selected for our action programme. One Coordinator for each Locality was appointed. Five Volunteers in each of the 6 Localities were also appointed. An exclusive Project Manager at the head office in Mumbai was also appointed.

The Intervention Programme The intervention in each locality would be structured as talk sessions and workshops. The topics that would be covered through these workshops would be as follows:

1. Financial Awareness and Financial Inclusion 2. Health and Hygiene awareness sessions 3. Awareness about government schemes and benefits 4. Awareness about NGO programmes for senior citizens 5. Senior Citizens ID card programme in Maharashtra 6. Awareness about Alzheimer’s / Dementia 7. Awareness about rights and legal recourse available for senior citizens

Beside the sessions / workshops on the above topics there would be additional activities such as: 1. Health Camps on general medical health, vision, hearing, etc. 2. Provision of cataract detection, referrals, surgeries and follow-ups 3. Distribution of medicines and aides such as walking sticks, spectacles, hearing aids, etc. 4. Workshop on skill development for earning livelihood for the able bodied 5. Distribution of basic ration to the very poor 6. Cultural programmes and intergenerational activities 68 69 Senior citizens are very insecure about their efforts being substituted for more health. However, given the high cost of substantive actions. Events healthcare, they tend to ignore a problem till it Be that as it may, like many other websites becomes large and critical. A regular health check Holding Events as one more relationship-building tool has been practiced most and news platforms who have integrated up can help tremendously in identifying social media sites such as Facebook and faithfully by D.F since day one in 1995 which saw the first large mobilisation of senior problems early enough so that it can be treated. Twitter into their interface, allowing people citizens for the first event in Mumbai called ‘Walk for Dignity’. From then to now, an The objective of health camp is to provide a to easily "like", "share" or "tweet" about battery of tests free to senior citizens so that average of 5 to 6 events per year are held in each of the chapter cities of D.F. something interesting they saw on the they are able to benefit from this preventive Internet, D.F has also been increasingly healthcare. Investigations like blood sugar, blood addressing the need to attract the young pressure, hearing test and consultation facilities working in companies through these popular for Medicine, Eye, ENT, General Surgery, Dental, media. People can now express concern Dietetics & Nutrition and Ortho will be offered about ageing issues posted by D.F. in free of cost during the proposed health camps. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, with Before the yearend 6 workshops were held in nothing more than the click of a mouse, Mumbai and Chennai. raising the question of what is actually being Corporate Calling and accomplished by these "likes" when very little thought or effort is required.

Social Media Dr Cyres Mehta at Frontiers in Medicine Ask a Question at Frontiers in Medicine Despite such armchair activism and With the increasing visibility being given in the limitations of the people wanting to look media about the CSR (Corporate Social socially good in the eyes of peers, a good Responsibility) companies are looking for amount of posturing has been undertaken by funding projects of their choice in the D.F in the social media, in keeping with The main Events are summarised as follows: development sector. D.F appointed a senior times and media practices. The now famous executive in February 2015 to take care of this ice bucket challenge was taken as emblematic Frontiers in Medicine aspect of fund mobilisation. As of March 31, of “slacktivism,” the derisive term described Recent advances in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases have radically altered the 2015 some 20 companies have been presented above, for cheap ways to feel good without quality of life for even middle class Indians. The Longevity Rule of 30-70 specifies that 30% of with Proposals outlining the social significance of doing anything meaningful. For example, the ageing is genetically based. The other 70% is in our hands. We can therefore design drugs and undertaking the projects. The impact of this one-day–in-a-year volunteerism of employees health supplements that might alleviate some of the deficits of having bad genes. effort will be seen in FY 2015-16. who come to D.F and its locational activities Innovations in medical science, especially pharmaceuticals, have shifted the focus of medicine from In the context of companies’ participation in the can be compared to Internet campaigns such highly invasive treatments and surgeries with potentially serious risks to less-invasive therapies social programmes of not-for-profits, of late a as the Stop Kony movement and the ice focused on prevention and health maintenance. This shift has allowed many older Indians to term doing the rounds is ‘Slacktivism’ which is a bucket challenge as merely symbolic ways for remain healthy and independent, avoiding long hospital or nursing home stays. portmanteau of the words (linguistic blend of “young narcissists to preen without actually As a result, generations of seniors will likely live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. words) ‘slacker’ and ‘activism’. The word is achieving any change”. Two decades ago physicians worked to relieve patients’ symptoms while today the therapeutic usually considered a pejorative term that Slacktivist activities include signing Internet objective is to slow disease progression and aim for remission. These gradual gains have been describes "feel-good" measures, in support of an petitions, joining a community organisation made through a continuous accumulation of knowledge through research and clinical experience. issue or social cause, that have little physical or without contributing to the organisation's practical effect, other than to make the person In order to make such knowledge available for members, the idea of holding a two day Conference efforts, copying and pasting of social doing it feel satisfied that they have contributed. occurred to us. To demonstrate we are not partial to allopathic medicine, we also dedicate a full day network statuses or messages or altering to other forms of health care. Together the two days bring to members vital information and cutting Slacktivism can be defined as the act of showing one's personal data or avatar on social edge awareness in the modern treatments of diseases specific to senior citizens. support for a cause but only truly being network services. Research is beginning to beneficial to the egos of people participating in explore the connection between the concept In Bengaluru, Himalaya Drugs and Pharmaceuticals as well as Narayana Hrudayalaya have lent this so-called activism. The acts tend to require and modern activism/advocacy, as groups are crucial support to our chapter. In Kolkata similarly a number of health care companies have joined minimal personal effort from the slacktivist. increasingly using social media to facilitate hands. Physicians and non-allopathic practitioners have generously shared their time to address The underlying assumption is more like low-cost civic engagement and collective action. senior citizen members, and we owe them all our sense of immense gratitude. 70 71 Dignity Literary Festival

Each year, in commemoration of the when we celebrate anything with people who anniversary of magazine Dignity Dialogue -- have achieved and reached the pinnacle of India’s first magazine for senior citizens -- we creativity, that we find newer meanings in happily celebrate its birthday in the presence the world around us. For this reason great of celebrities we have profiled in the magazine achievers are profiled in the magazine. and honour all authors and contributors of the “Go, go out of the closets,” said Picasso, “go year by calling them to stage and recognizing into the museums, libraries, architectural the literary talents. monuments, concert halls, bookstores, I believe each one of us has a place under this recording studios and film studios.” Seek benevolent Sun….whether you have completed inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, 6o/70/80 years the uniqueness of each one of by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine... you is the process we call in Psychology as urged Ralph Emerson. “individuation”. Each year as you keep accumulating various responses to stimuli in We at Dignity Dialogue made this our the environment, you keep becoming more singular mission and in each successive and more a unique individual. The older you issue, over the past 20 years we brought in a are the more unique you become. It is this rich variety of people who are unique, whose uniqueness that we aim to capture in lives provide plentiful insights. How can we magazine Dignity Dialogue, by immortalising ever not remember our authors, thinkers, your experience as a person in this cosmos. critiques, performers, speakers, orators, social workers, spiritualists, compassionate AD Guru K V Sridhar and Asha Lal, COO, D.F Those who write are enabled into this process persons who have embellished the of immortality, and those who don’t write, but magazine’s cover month after month? read what others write are adding yet more experiences into one’s individuality. Thus a continuous process of enrichment is what we Campaign for Dignity have set in motion, and considering the fact For the 2nd year in succession, in Mumbai In 2015 we saw 150 creative young teams this is going on since our inception in 1995 we held this very brainy event called pour their emotions to paper and picture to there is a need to celebrate the moment. It is Campaign for Dignity that should have been showcase how endearing older Adults are: held in March 2015 but got postponed to how it’s the duty of the young to look after September 14th 2015. the older adults, ‘how little things that . count’; ‘ Wanted, Lost Missing the daughter For those of us working with older adults, it One or our distinguished authors, Lalita Kodikal who has been writing I taught to read’; new word formations: is a common realisation that old people ache since 1995 for the magazine sent us this poem for the occasion. Ignoparent, Granservant, Old-digger, for their young. The Older Adults are sad and Desolage; Boomerang….What goes around I quote: grieved that the young do not care of them. comes around; Pets for Sale; What’s your One day we will depart That the disturbance in the joint family Excuse; 15 minutes can make a day; Don’t On a Journey free of cost. system in India has thrown out the older deserve Indignity; Main Kaun Hota Hoon?; Don’t worry about Seat adults to fend for themselves without any It’s never too late…………. The world of Reservation support, succour. That the young do not care. It’s confirmed. creativity has put a permanent closure to the erroneous thinking among the old that the And the Flight is always on time Here comes Campaign India, the sensitive Our good deeds done will be our luggage young do not care. print media representing the world of Humanity will be our passport advertisements to demonstrate the exact In February this year when Campaign India Love will be our Visa! Make sure we do our best opposite reality. Their 2014 Contest showed came forward with the idea to hold the To Travel to Heaven in Business Class! how deeply sensitive the young in India are. second annual event Campaign for Dignity 72 73 2015 the entire team at D.F. jumped with joy. Here again we have a spanking new exhibition to International Day as Gero Counselors to listen to the callers’ go to town with, to the colleges and school portals to showcase how dear our parents are and problems and offer counseling support to how we should take care, protect, respect the deep dignity there is in every parental heart. of Older Persons 2014-15 them. Pune Chapter celebrated World Elders Day on Nov 12th with re-launch of DIGNITY The crowning glory of this year’s event is Prasoon Joshi’s very special tribute to Older Adults HELPLINE with Gero Counselors taking over and his chairmanship of the Jury that made the selections. I convey my deeply felt gratitude to the management of the Helpline. Similarly, his generosity. The poem is to be recited by him at our forthcoming event on October 1, 2015 in Kolkata and Bengaluru chapters will host the Mumbai. World Elders Day with meaningful activities.

To Suresh Ramakrishnan, CEO of Campaign India we owe our special appreciation for At the end what I would like to stress upon is continuing this year’s contest. The Managing Editor, Gokul Krishnamoorthy -- imbued, troubled the fact that while the nation celebrates the and overwhelmed with emotional dues to his elders -- has patiently put up with our perennial October 1 marks the International Day of the contributions of the elderly, the elderly owe it nudge. This year he initiated the idea of expanding the scope of the contest by inviting young Elderly. During the entire month all senior to themselves to take charge of their lives and film makers and radio spot creators to send entries for the Contest. The application of their citizen associations, including D.F. celebrate, cultivate what in Psychology is called Ego medium Campaign India to announce the contest and involve the staff in Campaign for Dignity remember and recognise the role of our elders Integrity (versus despair) that is, coming to is something we are very proud of – lending dignity to Dignity. within our community. This year’s theme as terms with one’s life, accepting conditions To Ramesh Narayan and Gokul Krishnamoorthy as part sponsors of this declared by the UN is “Leaving No One Behind: when the older person feels whole, complete, event we owe our special thanks. Promoting a Society for All" is the theme used and satisfied with their achievements. That internationally to commemorate this day. you have adapted to inevitable victories and disappointments. You realise that the paths Different city chapters of commemorated the you followed or gave up, were all necessary Day differently. for a meaningful life course. Ahmedabad was the first city chapter to start The capacity to view one’s life in the larger off the celebrations by launching the key context of all humanity contributes to the serenity event of Suraksha Bandhan. This event was and contentment that accompany integrity. Ego first conceived by us in 2001 for sensitising integrity, in turn, is associated with more: school children so that they do not indulge in Elder Abuse when they grow up. To launch favorable psychological well-being, the event of Suraksha Bandhan. I had taken a more upbeat mood, greater self-acceptance, 35 Chief Dignitarians from all over India in higher marital satisfaction, 2001 to meet the President of India Shri closer relationships with adult children, Abdul J Kalam who was very happy with a greater community involvement, and Dignitarians grandchild child who tied the increased ease in accepting help from others Suraksha Bandhan band and took the vow “I when it is needed shall protect your security with Dignity”. It is To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, our fond hope that if we as members of D.F. kindly, cheerful, and reverent -- that is to year after year go to schools during October triumph over old age. To know how to grow old to remind them of their duty to take care of is the master work of wisdom, and one of the their parents and other elders in society, they most difficult chapters in the great art of living. will remember it after they grow old. I end with Deepak Chopra’s oft quoted Chennai chapter celebrated the day on statement: Most people think that ageing is October 11th with competitions for children irreversible and we know that there are and enactment of Suraksha Bandhan on mechanisms even in the human machinery stage. Preceding this they held a Legal that allow for the reversal of ageing, through Discussion on Elder Abuse by eminent Judges correction of diet, through anti-oxidants, and advocates as anecdotal evidence in the through removal of toxins from the body, chapter. The chapter also re-launched through exercise, through yoga and breathing DIGNITY HELPINE by dedicating themselves techniques, and through meditation. 74 75 Govt of Maharashtra ID Cards to Senior Citizens Dementia Centres

In Mumbai and Chennai where we run day care centres, this year also Total Forms received for the card issuance: 11, 600 we continued our services to older adults afflicted with dementia. In both the cities the pickup vans became old while in Mumbai we had to Total Cards issued: 10,300 dispose off the van, in Chennai the van is doing its last year probably before it becomes totally unserviceable. Apart from the routine Total number of Application Issuing Centres: 27 in Mumbai neither centre saw anything new. In Mumbai the number had gone done to a mere 14 people and Chennai some 9 people in all. No. of Old Centres: 21

No. of New Centres Opened: 6 in Mumbai 1 Versova, (Church of our Lady of Health) 2 Chembur Naka (Shree Kutchi Jain Mandal) 3 Andheri (E), (Sai Wadi, Datt Mandir) 4 Malad (E), 5 Malad (W), (Malvani) 6 At Abhydaya Bank premises

Number of Centre closed : 3

Mobile Camp conducted during the year: 12 1 Goregaon Mall DDC Bus patients getting in 2 Chita Camp (Chembur) 3 Lokhandwalla (Andheri) 4 Ghatkopar 5 Vikroli 6 Matunga (Ruparel Collage) 7 Gorai (Gavthan) 8 Malad (E), (Ganesh Mandir) 9 Malpa Dongri (Andheri E) 10 Deli Road (Har har wala Bldg) 11 Marol (Bamandaya Pada) 12 Masjid Bandar 13 Dongri DDC carrom another State Centres New centres opened: 7

Total no. of centres in the state of Maharashtra 132

Total no of application Forms issued: 16,900 20 st ru f T Years o Total no of Cards issues: 18,686 (including last year’s backlog)

76 77 Financial Performance Abdul Aziz sharifi 53,900 Standard Chartered Bank 75,000 Rita Sinha 57,000 N.A. Sportz Interactive Pvt. Ltd. 76,405 R.K. Elisha 58,500 Gujarat Road & Infrastructure We commence our financial information with details of donations received with Behroze Daruwalla 58,900 Co. Ltd. 100,000 grateful thanks during the FY 2014-15. Meher M. Shastri 60,000 United Way of Mumbai- India 103,100 SOUNDARAJAN 60,000 Deer Creek Intersil India Pvt. Ltd 105,000 Jayashree Parthasarathy 61,600 J K Group 116,954 Only those names appear here who have donated Rs. 10,000 and more. Vijay.H.Shah 62,500 Crompton Greaves Yash A. Talpade 65,100 Limited Corporate 340,000 A Kumaraswamy 66,000 United Way Worldwide - USA 631,668 M.Miakhan 72,000 Kotak Mahindra Bank 878,230 Individual Donations Sujatha Menon 72,060 Scientific Publishing Services 1,500,000 Kamala Krishnamurthy 72,900 Rajaram & Tarabai Bandekar Donor Name Amount Hasmukh Shah 15,600 Farzana Fazelboy 75,000 Charitable Trust 10,000 Mrtyunjaya 10,000 Eva Gunilla Sachdev 16,000 Shubhada Govekar 77,000 Shantadevi Charitable Trust 10,000 Shevanthi G. K. Rao 10,000 Pankaj Bhatt 16,001 Suresh Nayak Rao 77,000 Thatikonda Vatsala Ramachandra Foundation Kuldip Balasia 10,000 Kapil Dhatingan 18,000 Suresh Dawalbhakta 84,700 10,000 Prem Prakash Yadav 10,000 Pradeep Mallick 18,000 Jayashree Menon 92,400 Bibhuti Bhushan Foundation 12,000 Gobind V. Hiranandani 10,000 Sam Rustom Pochkhanawala 18,000 Booma Bashyam 100,000 Singamsetty Ateend rooloo charities 12,900 Krishna Rao 10,000 Suryanarayana 18,000 Dr. V. Dhananjayan 100,000 Shri Balaji Charitable Trust 16,020 Huzan Jal Khodaiji 10,000 Raut Shashikant Balwant 18,900 Elizabeth Reuben 100,000 Nirlon Foundation Trust 21,000 Vimal C Kamath 10,000 Ananya Shelter 19,101 Tarjani Vakil 100,000 Dasharath Mahadevia Aakash Moondhra 10,000 Alvares Barretto 19,250 S.Ramamurthy 108,000 Sanskrutik Sanstha 22,000 Deepika Joshi 10,000 Kesar raj 20,000 Ravi Malhotra 110,000 Ramprakash Podar Charitable Trust 23,250 Dr. B. Lalitha Rao 10,000 Darius Forbes 20,000 Coomi M.Mahudawala 136,800 TB Relief Association 25,000 Dr. Jyotsna Deo 10,000 Anuradha Shanbhag 20,000 Gopal Srinivasan 200,000 Wales Puja Committee 25,000 Geeta Iyengar 10,000 Hiresh Wadhwani 20,000 Estate of Late Smt Bhadra Dayaram Thadhamal Shahani Trust 25,000 Jayaram Raghavan 10,000 Lalita D Gupte 20,000 R. Sukhadwala 250,000 Mahaiashha Building Trust 25,000 Josephine Coutinho 10,000 Mayank R.Prasad 20,000 Sharad Wasani 280,000 Ramal Charities 25,000 Natarajan. M 10,000 Mona A.Kapadia 20,000 Ramaswamy Raman 375,000 Sindhu Charitable Society 25,000 Nikunj Jhaveri 10,000 Trishla D.Gala 20,000 Sheilu Sreenivasan 387,683 Baldev and Raj Handa Foundation 100,000 Nirmala George Mathews 10,000 Kshitish Madanmohan 21,000 Sanjay Khatau Asher 950,000 Kewalram Chanrai Foundation 100,000 Noshir M.Mistry 10,000 Krishnamurthy 22,000 M.V.Subhaivah (Vellayan Trust ) 100,000 Perviz N. Hathidaroo 10,000 Amiita Rangnekar 23,100 TOTAL 6,322,649 Nihchal Israni Foundation 100,000 Prabhakar S.Gurjar 10,000 Dilip Bamania 23,100 Ambashree Foundation 240,000 Rakesh Asthana 10,000 Rehana Sharifi 23,100 Sar-La Education Trust 500,000 Ravindra Shantaram Gayatonde 10,000 Jayakumar 24,000 Corporate Grants, Donations Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation 700,000 S. Satyabhama 10,000 Prathika Chary 25,000 and Trust Donations Give India Foundation 822,841 Sadashiv S. Rao 10,000 Biren C. Shah 25,000 Charities Aid Foundation Shanti Suresh Lawande 10,000 Manhar P.Khadawala 25,000 of America 978,365 Sudip Indani 10,000 R. Muthulakshmi 28,200 Donor Name Amount Radha Mohan Mehrotra Uma Krishnamurti 10,000 Lakshmi Srinivasan 30,000 Health & Wisdom 10,000 Medical Relief Trust 1,000,000 V.K.Doraiswami 10,000 Uma Srinivasan 30,000 BIB & GFO 10,000 Charities Aid Foundation India 1,155,388 Meena Padhye 10,100 Hari Parthasarathy 30,800 Corner Stone Senion Service 10,000 National Institute of Chandrashekhar K. Kamath 10,505 Ashish Sawkar 30,800 Satyanand Hospital 10,000 Social Defence 1,213,800 Siddharth Mankiwala 11,000 Warner D'Silva 30,800 OSS Technologies 12,000 National Stock Exchange 2,015,100 Shreevasta G 12,000 Shrikant Sahaukar 30,800 Thomas Cook (India) Ltd 12,000 Sun Pharma 15,000 Satyamohan Sachdev 12,000 C.V.Ramachandran 32,800 TOTAL Corporate Donation 13,655,556 Hiren Jayesh Shah 12,500 Jayant Ravi 35,000 Arphi Electronics Pvt Ltd 15,000 Nirali Biren Shah 12,500 Jayamma 36,000 The Media Ant 15,680 Navroz Mahudawala 13,680 S.RAMASWAMY 36,000 Probeen Porisheba 20,000 Shyam Singh Tomar 13,680 Veera Nagarwala 38,300 Medwell Ventures Pvt .Ltd 20,000 Ushaben Sanghavi 15,000 Haroon B. Shaikh 41,100 J.Thomas and Co Pvt Ltd 20,000 Vrinda Dalmia 15,000 Padma Sundaresan 44,300 Satyanand Hospital 20,000 Christine Rose Pereira 15,000 Sulabha Paralkar 45,000 Old is Gold Store 25,000 TOTAL DONATION OF BOTH Isshane Gupta 15,000 Raja Balasubramanian 45,000 Novartis India Ltd 29,400 Vatsala Krishnadas Nayak 15,000 Arnie Noshir Antia 50,000 Sudit Parekh & Co 30,000 19,978,205.00 Madhusudan Raghavan 15,273 P.H.Jokhi 50,000 Sundaram Mutual Funds 30,450 Ephrain Alves 15,400 Ramesh Narayan 50,000 Nutan Nagrik Sahakari Bank 31,000 Priyanka Shah 15,400 Siddhartha Luther 50,000 M/s.Titan 38,000 Zarine B. Merchant 15,400 Velagapudi Lakshmana Dutt 51,116 Aayushman Nature Cure Centre 43,005

78 79 Computation of total

Income from Others other sources income & expenditure 2% Grants received 16% 7% Income Dignity Enrichment INCOME:- Amount in 000's Programme Donations 12% 63% Donations 17,686 Income from other sources 4,384 Dignity Enrichment Programme 3,314 Grants received 1,886 Others 616 Total Income 27,885 Others Dimentia Care 6% Expenses 3% Grants utilisation Charitable objectives 17,336 5% Dignity Enrichment Program 6,325

Expenses Dignity Medical relief 1,668 Enrichment Grants utilisation 1,378 Charitable Programme 23% Others 750 objectives 63% Total Expenses 27,458 Net Income over expenses 428

Financial Performance at a Glance

Income Amount % receipt

Donations 17,685,685 63% Dignity Enrichment Programme 3,313,923 12% Budget vs Actual

Grants received 1,885,500 7% 300 Income from other sources 4,384,160 16% Others 615,870 2% 250 Total 27,885,137 200 Budget Expenses Amount % 150 Actual Dimentia Care 1,668,349 6% 100 Grants utilisation 1,377,603 5% Dignity Enrichment Program 6,325,450 23% 50 Charitable objectives 74 17,335,851 63% Others 750,316 3% 0 Total 27,457,570 27,457,570 in Lakhs Expenses for cause Ordinary donation receipts

80 81