Where grey is grandeur

The Dignity Foundation has been helping the aged make the most of their twilight years. SUDHA UMASHANKER writes about the organisation and its founder Sheilu Srinivasan

IF AGEING is no longer a dreaded word, if some senior citizens are beginning to think that there is life after retirement, if many of the commonly held myths associated with ageing are exploded, the credit for it goes in no small measure to Sheilu Srinivasan, founder of the Mumbai-based Dignity Foundation and Editor and Publisher of Dignity Dialogue, an exclusive magazine for the aged.

Although the magazine came first, it has helped in the formation of the Dignity Foundation, with the express purpose of creating opportunities for the productive utilisation of the experience and knowledge of the elderly and along with it a range of services for them. Dignity Dialogue, a monthly with 10,000 subscribers provides information on "second careers," money matters and health besides serving as a motivating tool, encouraging them to learn new skills and draw inspiration from the real life experiences of other people. Dignity Companionship provides social support, helps tackle problems such as abuse of the elderly and also runs a help line. Dignity Second Careers helps place retired people in a productive occupation. Dignity Computer Skills helps them acquire computer skills and Dignity Civic Service enlists the participation of the senior citizens in creating civic awareness and improving civic conditions.

Thanks to a tie-up with the Bombay Municipal Corporation, 700 senior citizens appointed by the BMC help oversee 24 wards, and have initiated measures for effective management of solid waste. Sheilu was recently on a lecture tour of Chennai and revealed that a Chennai branch of Dignity Foundation is in the pipeline. An M.A. in Psychiatric Social Work from the Madras University, Sheilu did her Ph.D. in Sociology from the Bombay University. After stints as Corporate Manager, Macmillan India, Bangalore and Management Editor, Head of Publications, Tata Institute of Social Science, she launched Dignity Dialogue with the savings of her very supportive husband, Gopal Srinivasan.

"As a social worker my antenna was always up looking for opportunities to serve the disadvantaged sections. It did not take me long to find out that the elderly are neglected. So I started with what I knew best - publishing, and everything else followed, says Sheilu.

"What the elderly want in life is a sense of self-esteem and not dependence on their children. Ageing is inevitable. But growing old is not the end of life. There is discrimination against older people, because of which they tend to go into a depression."

"Social interaction can do much in warding off the problems of the elderly. The bottomline is productivity and keeping oneself active-mentally and physically. One of the prime aims of the Foundation is to convert the ageing process into one of self fulfilment and actualisation. Knowing one's skills is crucial to the realisation of one's dreams", explains Sheilu.

According to her, retirement is not equal to "rest" but could herald the beginning of a second career which need not be a nine- to-five job. Those who are willing to work are sometimes confronted with the question of where to go. Dignity Foundation helps overcome this hurdle. The elders should take up new activities, pursue them with interest and passion. The newness will sustain their interest, she states.

A major concern of the Foundation is the security of senior citizens as many murders have taken place in recent times. Volunteers visit them periodically and with the help of the electronic systems installed, ensure that help can be summoned in a matter of minutes.

In association with ANZ Grindlays Bank, Dignity Foundation has also started Dignity ANZ Investment Club. Through other tie-ups, it offers HSBC Credit Cards besides travel concessions.

To contact Chennai Chapter, Dignity Foundation, Co-ordinator Annie Kurian, call 8265095/8238178.

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