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A day for elders
Unlike many other days earmarked for a cause, the `International Day of Older Persons' is quite different. It is not just on this day alone that the beneficiaries are remembered. Organisations and volunteers working for the care of the aged work round the year.
As Biju Mathew, executive officer of HelpAge India says, "We celebrate the day (on Tuesday), just because the United Nations decided to observe this as a special day for the aged. In a way, this could also be a sort of outing for senior citizens.''
So, they will observe the day with games, music, competitions and more games. For the aged, occasions like these could be very significant.
That could be the real objective behind projects like the `Adopt-a-gran' (AAG) programme launched by HelpAge. Under this scheme, a poor and destitute senior citizen would receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 400 from the sponsors.
So far about 1,800 elders have been adopted in the State, of which 500 are from this city and its periphery. "We have local agencies to monitor the individual needs of elders selected under this programme and spend this amount accordingly. There is also a monthly ration for them. For the bed-ridden, we take the ration to their place,'' says Mr. Mathew.
This would go a long way in preventing the aged from being abandoned in old-age homes. Once the family is eased off the financial burden of looking after their elders, peace returns to their homes, believes those at HelpAge. A function will be organised at the Ernakulam Social Service Society Hall on Tuesday to observe `International Day of Older Persons'. Agencies like the House of Providence, Ramakrishna Ashram, Kadavanthra, Canossa Convent, Vypeen, Suhrut Sadan, Aluva, Muslim Women's Association, Pullepady, Mercy Home, Kacheripadi and Home of the Destitute, Perumanoor will participate.
By Anand Haridas
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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