Thursday, March 31, 2011

Vesag Wrist Watch for Dementia Care from VYZIN

Vesag Wrist Watch for Dementia Care from VYZIN

VYZIN Electronics P Limited Hyderabad has come out with a Special
Assistive device - A Wrist Watch - (called Vesag) which is useful for
patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Wearing this watch fitted
with GPS helps anyone to trace the whereabouts of the patient
(wearer). The watch has certain built in useful features additionally.

It, of course, shows digital time. Altitude, Longitude, Latitude of
the watch are known. This info is linked to Google maps and exact
location can be seen by anyone having web connection. If the person is
in a vehicle (being abducted?! or say in an ambulance) the speed of
the vehicle can be seen. It has in built wireless communication
system- the companies web server and helpline can be called; Emergency
numbers like 108 or other ambulance may be called; Quick police help
may be obtained; the care giver or family members may be called etc.

An advanced version of the same device has additional features like
tracking Heart Rate, blood pressure & Blood glucose monitoring; ECG,
Body Fat Composition; etc. The diagnostic device (ECG machine)
enhanced by certain fittings can be remotely accessed by the Watch
wearer. The data can be transferred from the watch to the doctor. This
will avoid going to doctor's clinic physically; Doctor can advise from
his clinic over phone; emergency treatment procedure can be explained
to care giver or other paramedical staff. Advantages are many.

Complete back up of medical records may be kept in company's server
and render accessible to medical team.Medicine reminder will alert you
when it's time for medication.
Doctors can set thresholds to notify when they are out of range. Helps
in chronic disease management, nutrition, fitness, home care and
independent living. When the patient has a fall and is alone,
automatic fall detection mechanism alerts the care giver.

Complete contact details are given below:
Vyzin Electronics Pvt Limited
503 Encon Lake Melody Somajiguda Hyderabad 5000??
Ph: 040-40209946 email: info@vesag.com
http://www.vesag.com/
.


Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog:
http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Maharashtra Government has once again shown apathy to Elders Budget 2011 -12

We are reproducing below a letter from Sri Sailesh Mishra
============================================
Maharashtra Government has once again shown apathy to Elders Budget 2011 -12, JAC warns of state wide Agitation

Today Maharashtra has around 100 lakh Senior Citizens (60+), about 66% of whom are poor, 90% are without any social or health security and over 20% are lonely. Even after 50 years of formation of the State of Maharashtra, very little has been done by the State Government to improve the quality of life of its Senior Citizens, who during their young and adult age have played an important role in development of the State and the Country. Lot remains to be done by this progressive State of Maharashtra.

In state budget 2011 -12 Maharashtra Governments has once again shown its apathy towards its 100 lakh Senior Citizens. The state government has been continuously neglecting and ignoring its Senior Citizens. We strongly condemn the step motherly treatment towards Senior Citizens by Government of Maharashtra.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) & various Organizations have been constantly fighting for basic rights, various issues of Senior Citizens, and implementation of Senior Citizens Policy and Maintenance Act. JAC of Senior Citizens was formed by 23 Organisation/ Federations, Associations, NGO's working for Senior Citizens to protest against continuous neglect and ignorance by the central & state government. On 16th August 2010 JAC had successfully organized a Protest Day all over India and in state of Maharashtra. This was historic occasion where all the organization working for Elderly came under one umbrella to protest against continuous neglect by both central and state government.

On behalf of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Organization working for/with Senior Citizens we are thankful to Government of India for addressing some of the issues Senior Citizens in Budget 2011-12. In Central Government Budget 2011-12 ; Recognitions of Senior Citizens as 60 yrs and above in taxation and (IGNOAPS) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme ; Increase in IGNOAPS for 80+; Special Category of 80yrs + for Tax slab ; Increasing Senior Citizens Income Tax exemption limit and Increasing Rail concession to male senior citizens to 40% are some welcome move. 16th August 2010 National Protest Day by Senior Citizens has played major role in addressing this issues. It has been long fight for Senior Citizens for their right and we appreciate government of India steps to address some of the issues. But we still are unhappy as only some of our demand has been met.

We request the State Government to consider the following pending demands urgently and concede them.

1. Declaration of State Policy on Senior Citizens:

Senior Citizens Organisations had jointly presented the Draft of State Policy on Senior Citizens (Older Persons) in 2002 but the State Govt, in 2004 declared a 1 ½ page State Policy, which too remains mostly unimplemented. We again met at Yashada and resubmitted the Draft to you in 2009 but no action appears to have been taken to declare the State Policy, the Union Govt, declared the National Policy on Older Persons in 1999 and it is unfortunate that even after 11 years the State does not find time to declare its State Policy. We demand to declare it immediately.

2. Formation of State Council of Senior Citizens and Commission :
For effective promotion and coordination of the concerns of Senior Citizens the Government should form a State Council of Senior Citizens under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Social Justice with representatives from concerned Govt. Departments and representatives of prominent Senior Citizens Federation, Organizations, NGO's working for Senior Citizens (list of some of them is attached), Social Science Institutions and Media, as members. A State Commission for Senior Citizens should be established for implementation of the State Policy all over the State and also implementation of Acts like Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act and other Policy and Acts concerning the Senior Citizens.

3. Implementation of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act :
The Parliament adopted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in 2007 and it was expected to be implemented within one year. We appreciate the state government effort to frame the rule, but still Tribunals have to be formed and Act needs to be fully implemented. We demand the Act should be fully implemented all over the State immediately and to include Senior Citizens organisation in the Tribunals.

4. Establishment of Multi-Service Day Care Centers:

To remove loneliness, to utilize their spare time for useful social activities and for improvement in physical and mental health, Senior Citizens need Multi-Service /Disciplinary Day Care Centers in all Cities, towns, and large villages. Some Municipal Corporations like Pimpri – Chinchwad and Navi Mumbai have created such Day Care Centers and handed them over to local Senior Citizens Associations to conduct. The Govt should make provisions so that all Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Panchayats, provide Day Care Centers and Recreation centers in all parts of the State. We also demand to make provision to start Dementia Day centers at Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and District and Taluka level.

5. Representation On Anudan Samities:

The State Govt has Schemes like Shravan Bal Yojana, Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana, Indira Gandhi Niradhar Bhoomiless, Vidhawa Mahila Anudan Yojana, etc. for giving pension to poor Senior Citizens. But in many places the needy Citizens do not get the pension. We request that representative of Senior Citizens Organizations and NGO's should be included in these Anudan Samitees as an unofficial member.

6. Health Insurance For all Senior Citizens – BPL & APL:

Health Care is very vital necessity of all Senior Citizens but Health Care costs are so high that they cannot afford to have Health Insurance. We request that Rashtriya Swasthya Vima Yojana of the State should be modified to cover the middle class Senior Citizens with the BPL families and give them Health Insurance cover. The APL (Above Poverty Line) Senior Citizens would be able to pay moderate premium for such Insurance Cover.

7. Give Benefits to 60+ Seniors (Not 65+):
Central Government in Budget 2011-12 has define Senior Citizens as 60+ .The State and the gives financial benefits to them (Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, ST bus fare concession, etc.) only at 65 years. This is unjust. Please give all facilities at 60+ and don't make them wait for five years further. Make Uniform age of 60+ to address Senior Citizens in all government schemes.

8. Improvement For Vriddhashrams:

The condition of most of Old Age Homes in the State is far from satisfactory. The Govt should appoint a Regulatory Authority for implementing and monitoring minimum norms/standards of service in all Vriddhashrams. Senior Citizens organization is prepared to fully cooperate with the Govt for improving the standard of Old Age Homes in the State.

9. Concession in Transport:

We demand 50% concession on all state and city transport buses for Senior Citizens who are 60+.

10. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension amount has been raised by central government; we demand state govt. to increase its contribution for the same, including people staying in old age homes.

11. District and Municipal hospitals should have a special Geriatric Ward with latest facilities and PHC should provide special attention to Elderly.

12. Decent old age homes with Public-Private mode for the benefit of seniors at reasonable charges should be promoted.

13. Free Home for Destitute should be established in all districts.

14. Declaration of Comprehensive policy on Dementia and Alzheimer's

15. We demand Special attention/schemes/programmes for Rural Elderly, Tribal Elderly, Transgender Elderly , Destitute Elderly, Women Elderly and 80 + population

16. We demand all Municipal Corporation should have separate department for Senior Citizens

We also request civil society to support the Voice of our Elders for their basic rights as citizens of the Sate.

We hope the Government of Maharashtra will take due note of this demands and help Senior Citizens to have a happy evening of their life.

 
 
 
Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
 

SENIOR CITIZEN'S DEMAND STATE POLICY - Mumbai - JAC

I am happy to share with you a news item spotted by my friend

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Raghavendra Rao Venkatasubbarao <vrvrao45@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 5:32 AM
Subject: [sss-global] SENIOR CITIZEN'S DEMAND STATE POLICY
To: sss-global@yahoogroups.com

Senior citizens demand state policy

With over 96 million people above 60 years of age, India has the
second largest elderly population in the world. Yet, senior citizens
feel both the Centre and the state have done little for them in their
budgets.

"Improved healthcare and lifestyle is fuelling demographic change and
the break-up of the joint family has brought a new dynamic to the care
of elderly," says Dr SP Kinjawadekar, president of the All India
Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON).

Dr Kinjawadekar spoke to DNA on the sidelines of a meeting of the
Joint Action Committee for Maharashtra/Mumbai which met at Tata
Institute of Social Sciences ((TISS) to discuss strategies to tackle
government apathy. While appreciating the
Centre's announcement that everyone above 60 years would be entitled
to benefits as senior citizens, Dr Kinjawadekar pointed out how many
government schemes under the finance and transport ministry (both
Central and State) still consider age of eligibility to be 65 years
and above.

Senior citizens and NGOs have long protested neglect and
non-implementation of National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP)
formulated in 1999. It mandates that every state policy should have
its own policy for elder persons. Unfortunately, only seven states in
India have formulated their own state policy and Maharashtra is not
one of them.
Senior Citizens Organisations had jointly presented Draft of State
Policy on Senior Citizens (Older Persons) in 2002 .

Source: www.3dsyndication.com
---------------------------------

Elderly seek health insurance - Orissa

My Comments:

I have left a comment at TOI site urging that Aarogyasri type of
Insurance be persuaded and pursued up in Orissa also. Please visit the
site and leave a similar comment if you can. Recently I got a message
from HelpAge (Mr Cherian) asking us to take up this issue (Aarogyasri)
with IRDA. If we generate enough public opinion and noise someone
among the powers that be may be listening.

Vyasamoorthy

==============
Now for the news

BHUBANESWAR: Senior citizens in the city demanded that the Orissa
government launch a health insurance scheme for elderly persons on the
lines of Rajiv Arogyashri Yojana in Andhra Pradesh. They also asked
the government to form the state policy for older persons in such a
manner that most of their problems can be addressed.

"Health is a major concern for older persons. It is more challenging
for the poor and especially for those staying in rural areas," said
Krupasindhu Sahu, president of Senior Citizen's Association, VSS
Nagar.

"It is the primary responsibility of both the state and the central
government to provide healthcare to the marginal sector. Senior
citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic condition, should be
treated as a marginalized section of the populace. The state
government should ideally provide insurance schemes to the elderly
designed on the pattern of Rajiv Aarogyasri Committee Health Insurance
Scheme in Andhra Pradesh, which should cover all senior citizens,"
Sahu pointed out.

He said this during a day-long awareness programme on health insurance
for senior citizens here on Friday organized by voluntary organisation
HelpAge India, Orissa chapter. National director (advocacy) of HelpAge
India, Harvinder S Bakshi said, "The Orissa government has already
prepared a draft policy for older persons. But in the policy, they
must include the recommendations of the Sashtry Committee. If this is
done, then many problems of older persons could be solved."

They also suggested to the state government and insurance companies
that the insurance schemes for the elderly should be simple and
user-friendly with modest premium within the reach of upper middle
class, income tax payers, lower middle class and poor elders.

"There is need for political will. It should be realised by all
political parties that the elderly constitute about 22 per cent of the
electorate and so it would be expedient for them to take care of this
category," said N K Mohapatra, a senior citizen.

"We are going to start several services for senior citizens of the
city from April 1, including library, recreation, a Gup-Shup corner
with arrangement of beverages, volunteer counselling for health and
well-being, assistive devices like first-aid kit, wheel chair, walker
and computer and internet facilities," said Rashmi Mohanty of HelpAge
India, Orissa Chapter.
=========

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/elderly-seek-health-insurance/articleshow/7795390.cms

Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog:
http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

One Day Sensitization Programme for Family caregiver of Demented Elderly

I am giving below some details of the one day program on sensitization
of care givers of the demented elderly. I found the summary so useful
that I thought all of us will benefit too.

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
=====
MINUTES of  National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment,  "One Day Sensitization program for
the Family care giver of the Demented Elderly."

Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) – Hyderabad
Deccan and Memory Clinic, NIMS  organized "One Day Sensitization
program for the Family Care Giver of the Demented Elderly  "  on
February 26,2011 Saturday, 9:30 AM –5PM, at Conference Hall, 1st
floor, Millennium Block,NIMS.

The session, attended by 35, commenced with a warm welcome from
Dr.Suvarna Alladi, Additional Professor, Dept of Neurology NIMS and
President, ARDSI Hyd Deccan who wished all the participants and
explained the aim of this program which is to sensitize the community
and to take best care of Demented elderly.

What is Dementia: She emphasized the need for training family members
apart from diagnosis and prescription, as the family plays a vital
role in dealing with the Disease. The topics covered in her
presentation were -  Dementia, Symptoms and types of Dementia,
different stages of Dementia, effects and prevalence rate of Dementia.

Communication: Ms. Santhoshi Kumari, Psychologist, Memory Clinic, NIMS
took the session on communicating with people with dementia. She
explained
differences between verbal and non verbal communication. Common
communication problems faced included naming, recall, slowness in
speech e.t.c. People with dementia have an insight in to the problems
they face and to avoid affecting their sense of self-worth and
self-respect, we should provide them the environment and support to
communicate effectively .

Some of the tips  for better communication included use simple and
short sentences, providing choices, taking consent from patient,
informing  the patient prior to any activity, refrain from talking  in
front of the patient about their condition , avoiding arguments and
confrontation, avoiding  baby-talk  while encouraging them for any
task.  She summarized the session saying that we should show courtesy
and concern to the patients and actively engage in supportive
communication.

Ms. Sonal Chitnis, Speech pathologist, Yashoda Hospital explained
about the aim of speech therapy in Dementia.
Her talk highlighted the following. Speech therapy in Dementia aims
not only at SPEECH but also at Verbal and nonverbal Communication
Facilitation, safe Swallowing , Linguistic and extra-linguistic
skills, cognition of persons with dementia,therapy with both
individual and care giver through direct and indirect intervention
mode. Direct intervention can be one to one or in a group therapy
where motor, sensory, social, cognitive skills based activities can be
carried out to restore and facilitate Speech, language, communication
and Swallowing in general, indirect intervention includes counseling
reg environment modification, training caregiver, giving memory aids,
communication board, signs, Augmentative alternative communication
devices.

She also explained about oral mortor therapy and activities on
symptoms based. Precautions while feeding to be monitored are  avoid
fast feeding, difficult to chew, sticky –spicy and too cold/ hot
eatables and beverages and explained the chin tuck method to avoid
aspiration pneumonia and swallowing impairment in the patients.

Understanding Behaviour: Dr K Chandrasekhar (Vice- President, ARDSI
Hyderabad Deccan and Director, Division of Neuropsychiatry and
Geriatric Psychiatry at Asha Hospitals, Hyderabad), gave a
presentation on Understanding Behavior of Dementia patient.

He said that  persons with dementia typically lose logical thinking
and also lose  track of  the conversation after a while.  He explained
differences between normal forgetfulness and told that the symptoms of
Dementia do not happen overnight but it is a progression and sequence
of the disorder.
There is a continuous change in behavior, where the patient will lose
reasoning and face lots of stress and may withdraw himself from
others. He explained the reasons for sleep disturbance , wandering and
provided practical solutions to deal with those problems

A question and answer session followed.

Geriatric problems: Dr. Rukmini Mridula, Assistant professor, Dept. of
Neurology NIMS gave a  presentation on Common Geriatric Problems. The
normal problems with elderly people are decrease in retention of new
information, decrease in blood pumping capacity to heart, urinary
bladder disturbances , decrease in muscle strength etc. Common
disorders in elderly people are Hypertension and Diabetics.
Neurological disorders are Brain attack, Slowness in activities,
Confusion state, Metabolic abnormalities etc.

Sharing of carer experience: Mr. Guru Raj, family caregiver narrated
his experience with his mother who was affected with dementia and have
been taken care of by the family for 10 years. He explained that
special care needs to be taken with respect to basic hygiene and
toileting.  To reduce caregiver stress, it is essential to have an
alternate caregiver who can share the responsibilities. It is
important to spend quality time with patient and include outings in
the daily/weeklyschedule such as visits to the park, temple etc.
Patients shouldn't be coerced into doing anything as this will
increase their frustration. Rather a loving and supportive environment
should be provided to persuade them. He concluded by asking carers to
not focus on the tragic nature of the disease but to develop the
courage to accept the circumstances and work towards improving the
quality of life.

Physiotherapy: Dr. Naveen, Lecturer, Dept of Physiotherapy NIMS gave a
presentation on Physiotherapy for Dementia Patients. His talk included
the role of a physiotherapist in dementia care, interventions
appropriate for the different stages, postural deviations and
corrective exercises, gait training, toileting, bowel and bladder
training. He showed pictures of different assistive devices available
for Dementia Patients.

Caregiver experience:
Ms. Shobha Caregiver, shared her experience as a caregiver whose
husband, former Chief Engineer,  is in the advanced stage of
Alzheimer's. Earlier she had no awareness about the Disease but after
coming to know about the Disease, she worked towards  providing a
better care to her husband. She explained about the behavior problems
of the patients such as halluncinations and inability to recognize
relatives, blaming others. She emphasized  the importance of the
support to be given to them in the best way possible.

Activities:
Ms. Safiya Fathima, Psychologist and coordinator, ARDSI Hyd Deccan
took a session on the importance of activities for Dementia patients
and said that the family is the best source to determine the activties
appropriate for the patient.  Activities need to account for
preferences of the patient and stage of dementia.  She highlighted the
point saying that Activities are as important as medicines. Activities
should suit the person's preferences, their level of Dementia and also
their interest and abilities and should give them a sense of happiness
and confidence. She shared her experience with the patients at the
Rehabilitation centre [run by ARDSI Hyd Deccan twice week ] using
different pictures and videos of the patients.


Functional Rehabilitation of  Persons with Dementia:
Ms. Rukhsana Ansari, Secretary of ARDSI Hyd Deccan gave a presentation
on Functional Rehabilitation for Patients with dementia.She gave
practical tips on how to manage different problems faced by the
Dementia patients. Functional decline in patients creates
Helplessness, frustration, dependency on others, loss of role in their
families etc. The goal of functional rehab is to retain functional
abilities and allow for a  normal life as much as possible. One needs
to recognize the process of reverse ontogeny that starts of by loss of
declarative memory,  followed by loss of procedural memory and finally
primitive skills. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLSs) are
affected first followed by Basic ADLS and with this knowledge, carers
can setup milestones to help patients maximize their functional
potential.

Caregivers should think from the perspective of the patient and extend
their support to lead normal life as much as possible without
effecting their routine and day to day activities. Especially care
should be more extended in the basic but very important activities of
the life i.e., Feeding, dressing and Toiletries. Special feeding
devices, comfort dressing and toiletries, and walking devices need to
be arranged for rehabilitation purpose.

Environmental modifications, assistive devices, can be used to reduce
incontinence, improve feeding, walking etc.  Simple changes such as
proper night lighting, labelling, removing clutter, cueing,
maintaining an activity schedule, timed voiding help in making
significant improvements in patient's daily life.

The programme concluded with felicitation of 5 volunteers who have
been helping in the Rehabilitation centre and Home-visits.

Warm regards

Konduri Kotibabu
Project Manager
ARDSI Hyderabad Deccan Chapter

Mobile: +91 99517 52077
Email:   kotibabu76@gmail.com
_______________________________________________
Office:
ARDSI, Hyderabad-Deccan Chapter
Room no. 3, Memory Clinic,  Millenium Block, Ground Floor,
NIMS, Punjagutta,  Hyderabad – 500 082 (A.P), INDIA
Ph: +91-40-6610-3413 /
Email: ardsihyd@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ardsihyd.org
================


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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Concerns of elderly women should be addressed, says Mukul Wasnik

My Comments at the end.

Concerns of elderly women should be addressed, says Mukul Wasnik

New Delhi, Mar 2 : Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul
Wasnik called for a thorough review of the National Policy on Older
Persons immediately to incorporate the growing concerns of the elderly
women into the next 12th five year plan allowing them to live a life
of dignity.

"The policy formulated in 1999 called for an urgent review which is
underway as the growing population of the old needed to be looked
after better," Mr Wasnik said at a consultation on "Empowering Ageing
and older women: Health, social and financial security concerns",
organised by the Guild For Service here.

"We want to push forward the various concerns of the senior citizens
which will not only fulfill their aspirations but enable all to
perform our responsibilities towards them more meaningfully," he said
at the gathering which also honoured eminent women achievers, all of
them now over 80.

National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Girija Vyas said it
was necessary to ensure social status for the elderly women that was
increasingly eroding as they aged. Most were thrust on the sidelines,
neglected and deprived. If not cast outside, they were forced to live
a life of humiliation despite having all their property and assets
which were mostly snatched away from them through deceit and fraud by
family members.

The sacrificing nature of women made them give up readily and worse,
remain silent, despite the suffering. However, things appeared to be
changing a bit now with more women ready to speak up and act.

Ms Vyas said their empowerement was therefore all the more necessary
for which the NCW intended to sign an MOU with the Guild for Service
to better the lot of these senior women through promoting the health,
well-being and independence of senior citizens around the country.

Among the women achievers felicitated on the occasion were Justice
(rtd.) Leila Seth, Ms Vidyaben Shah, Begum Habibullah, Ms Zohra
Sehgal, Ms Bhikoo Manekshaw and Ms Subhadra Butalia.

Former chairperson of NCW and Guild of Service Head Mohini Giri, who
is also chairperson of the review committee of National Policy for the
older persons said having experienced the pain and trauma of the
elderly said, during her deliberations, she was convinced of the need
for a mechanism like a department of welfare for elderly. It would
help to better understand and resolve the concerns towards their
financial, healthcare, shelter and welfare needs, she added.

--UNI
=========
Source URL:
http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-159454.html
=======
Observation 1: Minister himself says elderly women's concerns should
be addressed. By whom, I wonder!
Observation2: Among the women felicitated, there is none from South?
=======

Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog:
http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

Budget for 2011-12: Senior Citizens Stand to Gain


CENTRAL GOVT SOPS IN BUDGETS: SWEET NEWS TO SENIOR CITIZENS

 

                             It is gratifying to note that the Central Government has announced the following concessions to the SENIOR CITIZENS in the General and Railway budgets

For the year 2011 – 2012 Presented to the parliament.

 

General Budget:  1.The eligibility age for senior citizens has been lowered from the present 65 yrs to 60 yrs for purpose of assessment of income tax as well as for drawing Pension under Indira Gandhi National pension scheme. Hopefully this will be made applicable to all the other concessions at the state level too.

 

                           2. For senior citizens aged 80 yrs and above, the central govt's share of pension under Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme is increased from the present Rs200 to Rs500.

 

                           3. The exemption limit for Income Tax for senior citizens has been increased from Rs.2.4 lakhs to Rs.2.5 lakhs. For senior citizens of age 80 yrs and above has been increased to Rs.5 Lakhs.

 

Railway Budget (1) The concession in Railway tickets is increased from the present 30% to 40%for men senior citizens (2) For women senior citizens the eligible age limit is reduced to 58 yrs

 

                     The above concessions though falling short of our demands are still welcome as they indicate that the central govt has taken note of our demands and realized the necessity to do something for the senior citizens.

 

                     In this connection, with all humility we would like to inform you that the All India protest day which was  organized on the 16th August of last year, the various appeals and representations which we and the All India Senior Citizens Confederation submitted to the Prime Minister, UPA Chair person Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Sri Pranab Mukherjee, Railway Minister Kum.Mamata Banerjee  and others and the personal meeting  with Smt Sonia Gandhi at  New Delhi  had a definite impact and must have influenced the central Government in doing at least this much.

 

                    Sri R N Mital and all our brethren who struggled hard in representing the matters to higher ups deserve our grateful thanks. WELL DONE CO-SENIOR CITIZENS CONGRATULATIONS. Let us not rest on these small results. There is a strong struggle still ahead. LET US UNITE AND ACHIEVE STILL BETTER RESULTS

 

                           V Nageswara Rao, Secretary General, APSCCON

=================================================================


This is write up by our friend Sri V Nageswara Rao, Secretary General APSCCON. My comments on the budget:


Firstof all I fully agree with Sri Nageswara Rao that this  chnage in attitude has come about only because of our Senior Citizens National Protest Day observed on 16th August and later follow up.


The central Budget is very welcome as it benefits a large number of persons right from 60 years. That was our primary demand. Concessions shown to 80+ may not mean much as number of persons above 80 having 5 lakhs annual income will be very small. Introduction of Direct Taxes code next year will make 10 Lakhs per annum as tax free income. This is an indirect step towards that goal. The Railway budget is commendable.  Personally I am disappointed that nothing is mentioned about Health Insurance; Long ago four Public sector Insurance companies were asked to come up with some special schemes suitable for us seniors. I was eager hear some announcement to that effect. Any how revision of NPOP is yet to be done. Let us wait and see.


Vyasamoorthy




Mid-day meals extended to senior citizens Bangalore

Mid-day meals extended to senior citizens

Express News Service First Published : 03 Mar 2011 03:52:01 AM ISTLast
Updated : 03 Mar 2011 12:03:49 PM IST
BANGALORE:  A mid-day meal programme for nearly 10,000 people was
launched by Mohsin Shariff Education and Charitable Trust here on
Wednesday following which playback singer Anwar performed for the
audiences. The programme is soon to be extended for 50,000 senior
citizens as well. The trust has been serving mid-day meals to nearly
50,000 Government school students in the city for the last ten years,
according to Mohsin Shariff, founder-director of the trust.
On Wednesday, mid-day meal cards were issued to the grandparents and
in some cases parents of the students, who were already beneficiaries
of the programme.
The grandparents and parents were selected based on their occupation
and senior citizen cards given by Government. Once the system has been
established, Mohsin has plans to extend this facility to 50,000 senior
citizens too. The card-holders now can come to the schools, where
their children or grandchildren are studying and have their mid-day
meal. "We provide a different variety of meal on all seven days and
include rice-dal-subji, puliyogare, bisebelebath and pongal," said
Mohsin.
"We provide hot meals prepared in our state-of-the-art facilities to
120 Kannada-medium, 48 Urdumedium, seven English-medium, seven
Tamil-medium and four Telugu-medium schools in the city," he added.

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http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/mid-day-meals-extended-to-senior-citizens/252779.html
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In Marredpally Secunderabad there is an NOGo that has been providing
mid day meal (Only Lunch) to about 50 old eople for the past many
years. WE should encourage such moves.. Remember a similar extension
of mid day meal scheme to seniors by Akshaya Patra?


Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog:
http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/