July-December 2010
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N E W S Vol.9. No.2 & 3 July-December 2010 Supporters of the cause M r . P . R . A n b a z h a k a n , Territory Head (TN & Memorable Journey A HelpAge salutes the spirit K a r n a t a k a ) , H e l p A g e , receives a cheque of Rs. 14. of one of its oldest family 95 lakh (approx.) from Mr. members, as her tryst M.P.M. Abdul Cader, General with HelpAge comes full Manager, West Asia Imports circle. Indrani Rajadurai and Exports (P) Ltd. (part of started her journey in ETA Ascon & Star Group) as HelpAge India at the age donation to maintain the of 26 on 1st January N E W S running cost of the Ramnad 1977, she now formally MMU for a year. retires at the age of 60, but her connection with July-December 2010 Mr. M.S. Chauhan (right), Vol.9. No.2 & 3 H e l p A g e r e m a i n s Principal, St. Thomas School, unbroken, as she takes on Jagadhri (Haryana) hands the role of Special over a cheque for Rs. 78,055 as donation to the cause, to Advisor. Indrani has been Speaks Ms. Susmita Ghose, National with HelpAge virtually EDITOR M O M E N T S F R O M 2 0 1 0 Director (North & East), since its birth, she started HelpAge. Looking on is Mr. out as a Sponsored Bhavneshwar Sharma, State Events Officer, raw on her irst of all, I would like to Head(Punjab, Chandigarh, skills, but with a great zeal to make a difference and help the less fortunate. She was trained by the wish all of you a very Economic & Health Survey on India's Oldest Old Haryana and J&K), HelpAge. founder Mr. Samson Daniel and Mr. Philip Jackson and Mr. John. F. Pearson of HelpAge International. FHappy New Year. As She became the first woman officer of HelpAge India. HelpAge moves into 2011, we take a look at some of the (80 +) brings some urgent needs to the forefront Dr. V. Vizai Saradhi (left), Director Her passion towards her work shone through her tenure, as she went from strength to strength and defining moments of 2010. New ( H R ) , H i n d u s t a n P e t r o l e u m took on further responsibilities, never hesitating to take on that extra work load. Her commitment to Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) receives a the cause of the elderly saw her consistent growth within the organization as she went on to become initiatives were taken up to n the eve of International Day of Older Persons conducted among the Oldest Old men and women. HelpAge memento of appreciation Deputy Director (South), then Joint Director (South), Regional Director (South) and finally retired as mainstream issues of the O(IDOP), HelpAge India released nationwide a first-of- The sample size was 833 (with 416 men & 417 women) from Mr. A.K. Singh, State Head - National Director (South & West). elderly, such as the nationwide its-kind “Economic & Health Survey on India's Oldest spread across 8 cities in India: Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh (UP), HelpAge, as he “The organization gave me a wonderful opportunity to serve the elders through the younger release of the first ever Old (80 +)”. Launched at the National capital by 89 year Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai, hands over the keys of the new generation by organizing Sponsored Walks in schools, which was a unique education cum fundraising Economic & Health Survey on old, Mr. M.M. Sabharwal, Member of Review Committee of Patna and Hyderabad. SEC C* and below category Mobile Medicare Unit (MMU) for event in those starting days”. – says Indrani. India's Oldest Old (80+) on the National Policy on Older Persons & President Emeritus households/areas were selected for the study. Lucknow (UP), to him in return. HPCL International Day of Older of HelpAge, it brought out some startling facts. has donated the vehicle as part of its New initiatives for the elderly were tested and launched successfully such as Pay Roll Giving, Pre- Persons, bringing the issue into 57% of the Oldest Old were widows/widowers. More than CSR initiative, for better healthcare Retirement Training, Elders Helpline etc. When the Tsunami struck coastal Tamil Nadu in 2004, she the forefront of the Review two third of the Oldest Old of the needy elderly. was one of the first few people who rushed to help the victims. Few people are aware that, in that very Committee of the National were financially dependent disaster, she too had suffered a personal loss, but Indrani kept on working with fever pitch, putting in on others (72%). Son being all her energy in saving those that were alive, with the hope of keeping them alive. The disaster left a Policy on Older Persons, State deep impact on her. Governments, media and the topmost on whom A unique visit general public. they were dependent Indrani has been a catalyst in urging schools and corporates, especially of the southern region, to (79%). 36% of the Oldest come forward and show their sensitivity to the cause. Her constant efforts in sensitizing children on For first time HelpAge helped M r . M a t h e w O l d h a v e a m o n t h l y the importance of Agecare values and being sensitive to the elderly, have left an indelible mark in the draft the Assam State Policy for Cherian, Chief household income of less hearts of many. the elderly, while on the other E x e c u t i v e , than Rs. 2,500. Only hand in Uttarakhand it was a HelpAge India, Thanks to her efforts the Tamil Nadu State Government recognized HelpAge as a leading national 12 % were engaged in any catalyst to help form the first interacts with an level NGO and appointed her as a member of their Planning Commission, member in their Grant economic activity. More than elderly resident of Approval Committee and as an Advisor for Government Programmes. Positions she uses to help the Federation of Senior Citizens less fortunate. For her efforts she has been conferred with the Best Social Worker Award twice. Associations of Uttarakhand. 70% of the Oldest Old don't Airinkai, one of own any property. Majority of Japan’s most well Corporates, Rotary & Lions Clubs etc. have also awarded her with the Best Woman Achiever Award. The year also saw much disaster the elderly covered in the known homes for Her inspiration is simple she says, “The blessings and smiles of the elders have encouraged me to in its wake, whether it was the survey were illiterate. the aged and achieve my goals successfully. I feel proud that I served HelpAge for 34 long years and continue my cloud-burst in Leh-Ladakh or Remittance from children mentally disabled, during his visit to Tokyo late last year, as second innings as a Special Advisor imparting Value education on Agecare to school students, the devastation caused by corporates and the general public. I thank God for using me as a small instrument to help put a smile was their main source of part of an intergovernmental mission. He was a part of the floods in Uttar Pradesh. on an aging face.” HelpAge feels blessed to have such a member in its family and wishes she reaches income. Indian delegation sponsored by the Japanese Govt. Our disaster relief teams more milestones in her life. immediately got to work. Oldest Old living in their own Corporates didn't shy away from house was highest in Delhi their responsibilities either, NCR (91%) followed by BOOK POST volunteer staff from KPMG Mumbai (79%) and Patna especially flew to Leh to work (78%) and lowest 14% hands on with the HelpAge i n Ko l k a t a . F i n a n c i a l medical team, providing the (From left): Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications), HelpAge, Mr. dependency of Oldest Old much needed support. M.M. Sabharwal, Member of Review Committee of the National Policy on Older Persons & President was highest in Delhi NCR Emeritus, HelpAge and Mr. Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive, HelpAge, jointly release the HelpAge (90%) followed by Kolkata Another corporate whose “Economic & Health Survey on India's Oldest Old.” (84%) and Ahmedabad support requires a special mention is Balmer Lawrie, who ( 8 3 % ) a n d l o w e s t i n showed their generosity by India has an 80 plus population of more than 80 lakh, out Hyderabad (40%). Four fifth respondents in Hyderabad supporting the HelpAge MMU of which over 25% live in urban areas (Census 2001). and Delhi NCR, reported that their son takes care of them programme in Chennai for According to the NSS (National Sample Survey) 63 at the time of ill health. a period of 5 years and percent of the elderly are illiterate in India. This is likely to The Oldest Old who had no income source was highest in the Sponsor-A-Grandparent have a bearing on their economic activities. Poverty and Mumbai (28%) followed by Delhi NCR (23%). 60% Oldest programme for an entire year. loneliness further add to the problem, rendering them Old in Delhi NCR depend on their son for household chores. even more vulnerable. The work is never-ending, but 52% of the Oldest Old had either poor or very poor If undelivered, Please return to: along with it so is the With increasing age, the needs of the elderly, especially health.