Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100159470200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A moment of crowning glory for elders

Staff Reporter

HelpAge India organises a grand celebration for them on the eve of World Elders’ Day

— Photo: K.V.Srinivasan

Funfilled event: Additional Director General of Police, CBCID, Archana Ramasundaram, honouring Grandpa King and Grannie Queen at the elders’ day celebration in Chennai on Tuesday. Indrani Rajadurai (left), national director, HelpAge India, and K. Jafar Ali, national head (HR), ETA Ascon, West Asia Exports and Imports, are in picture.

CHENNAI: Eliciting a sentence from 80-year-old K.Shanmugam and 68-year-old C.Saroja after their being crowned the Grandpa King and Grannie Queen was tough. Yet their tears conveyed the collective feelings of all the 920 elders who had assembled.

Addressing the elders’ day celebrations organised by HelpAge India on the eve of the World Elders’ Day here on Tuesday, K. Manivasan, Commissioner, Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meals Programme, said: “As the population of elders, above 60 years of age, will increase from 10 to 14 per cent in 2025, the government has planned to take various initiatives for their welfare. The government has planned to construct an old-age home in Kancheepuram district with adequate facilities.” He said the government was planning to have an elders’ helpline in the municipal corporations of the State. The elders’ helpline in Chennai – 1253 - a toll-free number, was launched in February 2004.

“The helpline, on the premises of the Office of the Commissioner of Police, can be used by elders to seek assistance,” said Archana Ramasundaram, Additional Director General of Police, CBCID.

“The services of helpline include medical assistance, police intervention, information and referral services, tracing missing elders, repatriation, shelter assistance, protection from abuse, guidance and counselling,” said Indrani Rajadurai, National Director, HelpAge India.

“Society has to shoulder the responsibility of rescuing the elders in distress and assure them a life of dignity and security,” said Edwin Babu, Joint Director of programs, HelpAge India.

T.S. Krishnamurthy, Member, Governing Board, HelpAge India and former Chief Election Commisioner and K. Jafar Ali, National Head (HR), ETA Ascon, West Asia Exports and Imports, spoke.