FOSWL Talk on Vivekananda

Is Vivekananda relevant today?

Yes, concludes the speaker and I fully agree with him.

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

Yesterday Rajendra Rao and I attended a lecture by Prof IV Chalapathi Rao. This was during the 24th Monthly meeting of FOSWL, Hyderabad, held at FAPCCI, Red Hills Hyderabad. The Topic chosen by the speaker was: "Is Vivekananda relevant today?"

Vivekananda's 150th birth day is so important around the world that it is being celebrated for five years -- 2010 to 2014. He stood for three important principles: 1. Universalisation of Religion 2. Concern for the poor and destutute 3) Human development through Science, culture and education. Incidentally these tenets tally with those of UNESCO too.

Vivekananda said that while western culture is Intellect and information oriented, Indian culture is experience oriented.  Renunciation and Service are basics to our culture. He firmly believed in oneness of humanity. He often said that rituals are not very important, they touch only the periphery. For one to improve oneself, one should Read good books, listen to wise men, and do meditation. Meditation according to Vivekananda is not about concentration. Concentration leads to tension. Meditation is just making mind free of all thoughts, making space for new ideas to come in.

Sri Chalapathi's speech is so absorbing that I didn't want to miss out while taking notes.

He is an erudite scholar and listening to him is a pleasure. Time stands still when he talks. He keeps you smiling all through by witty observations and play of words. He is also the editor of TRIVENI, an intellectual Quarterly journal on Culture, religion, spirituality etc.  The editor can be reached at 040-27664682. Subscription is only Rs 100 per year . Contents of 80 years of this magazine are available online. (yabaluri.org) 

To listen every month to such intensely satisfying talks you may become a member yourself of FOSWL --Friends of Same Wavelength. I thank Yechury Murthy for telling me of FOSWL.

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

Fwd: Bombay High Court takes suo motu on News by Silver Inning Foundation for Senior Citizens Maintenance Act

Here is a message from Sailesh of Silver Innings stating how the Bombay High Court has taken suo moto case of this elder abuse by the state government. AP is also lagging behind as the government has not released the Rules under MWSCA 2007 nor announced the formation of tribunals. In some districts in AP (like W Godavari, Nizamabad etc) the concerned collectors have shown empathy towards senior citizens and have accepted appeals under this act. Many awards have also been made. But elders in other districts are languishing governmental neglect. Now Read on ... Vyasamoorthy

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

It's good that Honorable Bombay High Court had taken suo motu of the news story filed by Silver Inning Foundation on 13^th June 2010 with Maharashtra Times, Maharashtra largest selling Marathi newspaper . The story was regarding long wait for Senior Citizens for implementation of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. In this news we narrated the story of 80-year-old man, who was suffering from Alzheimer, was allegedly cheated by one of his sons over property worth Rs 1 crore. We tried to help the family by taking legal action but due to non implementation of said act the case was taken as normal legal matter and in two years the 80 year old victim died without justice. Had state government implemented the law there could have been speedy justice. The Bombay High Court took the note of The Front page news and converted it into public interest litigation. In this news we had warned government of nationwide protest by senior citizens on 16^th august 2010.

This is big victor for Senior Citizens and Silver Inning Foundation. Hope now that the state will act faster to deliver justice to Senior Citizens and Parents who are being abused by their children's and relative. But its still long way to go.

In June 2010 the State Govt. had framed the Rules and Tribunals have been constituted on 28^th Sep 2010 (as informed by govt. to high court).  But the state government had not informed the Formation of Tribunals to Senior Citizens, Organization/NGO working with Senior Citizens nor The Joint Action Committee formed on 16^th August National Protest Day by all the NGO's. It's surprising to see continuous neglect and ignoring NGO's and organization.

It's also to be seen how the Tribunals are been formed, who are the members, and implantation of the Act as whole.

We had demanded that Senior Citizens NGO's/Organization and Joint Action Committee members be part of such Tribunals and State and District Council.The NGOS' has to be taken in confidence before Framing, planning and implementation of any act /schemes for benefit of Senior Citizens.

 

Following is the News covered by various News paper (Hindustan Times;  DNA; The Times of India ) in Mumbai on 24^th and 25^th Dec 2010:

Give publicity to senior citizens' tribunals: Mumbai High Court to Maharashtra state

The state government has been directed to give wide publicity to the special Tribunals and appellate Tribunals, which have been set up under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. A division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice SJ Kathawalla of the Bombay High Court directed the government to give wide publicity while hearing a public interest litigation.

The court had taken suo moto (on its own) cognisance of a news article in a Marathi daily on June 13^th 2010, which said that an 80-year-old man, who was suffering from Alzheimer, was allegedly cheated by one of his sons over property worth Rs 1 crore. The news article also said the senior citizen would have benefited had the government implemented the provisions of the said Act.

Additional government pleader, Jyoti Pawar submitted an affidavit filed by JN Rathod, deputy secretary, social justice and special assistance department, in pursuant to an earlier high court directive.

The affidavit stated: "The Social Justice and Special Assistance Department is implementing the provisions of the said Act with the help of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and civic bodies across the state."

The affidavit further stated that the tribunals and appellate tribunals have been constituted under the said Act on September 28, 2010.

The affidavit added: "The government has constituted a tribunal for each sub division of every district in the state and appointed the concerned sub divisional officers as the presiding officers in the tribunals. Also, appellate tribunals in each districts have been constituted and the concerned district magistrates have been appointed as the presiding officers for the said appellate tribunals."

The Centre had enacted the Act in Dec 2007.

Hindustan Times:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Give-publicity-to-senior-citizens-tribunals-HC-to-state/Article1-642569.aspx

DNA:

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_publicise-maintenance-tribunals-bombay-high-court_1485405

The Times of India: http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=5&edlabel=TOIM&mydateHid=24-12-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00507&format=&publabel=TOI

 

Sailesh Mishra
Founder President
Silver Inning Foundation

Website : www.silverinnings.com 
Blogs: http://peopleforsocialcause.blogspot.com/  ;  http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/ 
Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_jz2xKhz1E
Pictures :  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sailesh2000_2000/
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailesh.mishra

Join Silver Innings - Free: http://silverinnings.com/primary%20individual%20form.asp

Old is Gold - Mental illness among elders

Please read my comments on this story at the end

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



Old is Gold
Sheveta Bhatia
Posted: Nov 17, 2010 at 0130 hrs IST

Chandigarh While aging is a natural process, what is not are the
mental disorders associated with it," says Prof NK Chadha from Delhi
University, as he takes seat at the international conference on
Enhancing Human Potential: Bio-psychosocial Perspectives at Golden
Jubilee Hall and talks about ways these can be prevented. "For
starters, we need to be careful that we give elders respect, care and
a healthy social-setup. But above that it is of vital importance that
we keep them productively engaged," says Prof Chadha, who tells us
that of the total Indian population that is above 60 years of age, 11
per cent suffer from mental problems like depression, loneliness and
alienation. "This, because they have nothing to do," he says that
percentage of people suffering from mental problems increases to 38
per cent as they reach 80 years of age and above.

Prof Chadha attributes most of these ailments to the fact that we in
India have still not recognized the potential of the aged. "They are
experienced, learned and have more patience. It's been proven via a
model in Delhi that when they get to teaching the slow learners in
school, not only do they get an outlet out of their loneliness but the
students too benefit," he says that also of great help was the model
of Community Supper. "Here, elders of a community get together once in
six months and serve dinner to the young. The act serves dual purpose
¿ it makes the elderly feel competent and enhances the bond between
the two generations," Prof Chadha also talks about the third model,
where in the elders serve at local dispensaries. "While all the acts
were done charitably, the result was that the medical bills of those
of elders who were spending Rs 700 to 1000 a month reduced to Rs 200."

Along with productive engagement, joint family system too has great
benefit on the health of the elders. "While we have noticed that four
per cent of the elders who stay in nuclear families suffer from
dementia, the instance goes down to .3 per cent in joint family
setup," he reels. But here he's quick to add that for those not living
in joint family set-up, it's not just youngsters to blame. "For about
41 per cent elders do not want to move away from their home town. Even
if it means being able to live with their sons or grandchildren," he
signs off.


============
Source URL:
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/old-is-gold/712262/

My Comments: I like this article because it give some interesting statistics
(alarming, I dare say) on mental illness among senior citizens in
india; effect of joint family system on the incidence of depression, need for productive or active ageing  etc Especially when Prof Chadha says being active can actually bring down
medical expenses,  I am floored. Not difficult to believe, anyway.
======.


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

Music therapy for senior citizens (Kozhikode)

Music therapy for senior citizens

Staff Reporter (The HIndu)

Kozhikode: Senior doctors and musicians under the aegis of Cardis
India Health Care is organising 'Samayamithapoorva Sangeetham-
Arogyam', a free health programme for senior citizens of Kozhikode, at
IMA Hall here on Sunday.

The programme will be inaugurated by former Minister for Health P.
Shankaran while KTC managing director P.V. Chandran will inaugurate
the music therapy programme.

Senior doctors, including A. Ramanathan, Bhadran, K.N. Raveendran, M.
Vijayan, K.V. Sahasranam and Ajith Bhaskar will deliver talks on the
occasion. Awards will be presented to senior artistes.

AIR artist Gitadevi Vasudevan will deliver a talk on music therapy.

Noted musicians in the city, including Salam, Sujatha, Ajith, Usman,
Nasar, Sindhu, Pappan, Shenoy, Vinod, Jayaraj, Shaju and Vijayan
besides Rajiv from Kollam, are taking part in the music therapy
programme. Mr. Rajiv will conduct a Rafi music night in association
with Kozhikode-based fusion band 'Intelligence' that work against
smoking and drugs.

For details and registration, contact programme director Ajith Bhaskar
on 9288191917 or 9539751779.
==============

Source URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/12/11/stories/2010121151170200.htm

My Comments: Senior citizens must explore all kinds of alternative therapies for alleviating pain and avoiding depression. Music, meditation, Religious lectures have all their place. At least there are no side effects and almost always these are free.If you know of music therapy activities in other coties please let me know.

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

Notice to Punjab on old age and widow pension (disbursement anomalies)

Notice to Punjab on old age and widow pension
Express News Service
Posted: Wed Oct 13 2010, 05:34 hrs
Chandigarh:

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices to Punjab and
its Director, Social Security, on the state Cabinet's decision to
re-start the old age pension and widow pension to about 1 lakh
"ineligible" beneficiaries.

The petitioner, Dr. Sandeep Gupta of Talwandi Sabo, has contended in a
public interest litigation (PIL) that according to information
received by him under the RTI Act, as many as 29,991 persons were
found to be ineligible (for getting old age and widow's pension) in
the four districts of Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Ludhiana and Gurdaspur.
Contending on behalf of the petitioner, Advocate H C Arora submitted
that according to newspaper reports, approximately 1 lakh persons were
found ineligible for these pensions during a scrutiny conducted by the
State Government.

The petitioner has demanded that the state government be directed to
recover the pensions paid to all those ineligible beneficiaries and
also to file criminal cases against the concerned persons, including
sarpanches and doctors who helped in preparing fake documents for
these ineligible beneficiaries.
======
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Notice-to-Punjab-on-old-age-and-widow-pension/696911/

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

Haryana gives 2% reservation to senior citizens in house allotment

Haryana gives two percent reservation to senior citizens in house allotment

Punjab Newsline Network
Sunday, 08 August 2010

CHANDIGARH:While recognising the contribution made by the senior
citizen in the development of the State, the Haryana Housing Board has
provided two per cent reservation in the allotment of houses for those
senior citizens who have attained the age of 60 years.

While stating this here Sunday, a spokesman of the Board said that for
the first time, 1.5 per cent reservation has also been provided to the
accredited correspondents. Housing Board, Haryana was the first
Housing Board in the country to provide 33 per cent reservation of the
total houses and flats constructed by it for women applicants to
improve their socio-economic status, he added.

The State Government has framed a policy to transfer 50 per cent plots
for economically weaker sections of the society carved out by
colonizers in the plotted colonies for which licenses have been issued
by Department of Town and Country Planning, Haryana for BPL category.
He said that sofar the Board had taken over the possession of 453
plots at Ratia, District Fatehabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Dharuhera.
The process to take possession of over about 1000 developed plots at
Gurgaon, Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal and Faridabad was in progress, out
of 3400 plots offered so far in various districts.He said that the
Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda has already announced several
incentives for the weaker sections of the society.

He said that about 43 acres of land under various Municipal Committees
of Rohtak, Ambala, Cheeka, Karnal and Pehowa had been identified where
about 3500 houses of different categories, mainly for lower strata of
the society would be planned. The Board had already purchased 18.75
acres of land at Sector-5, Hansi and six acres of land at Sector-1,
Narnaul from HUDA, where about 1222 houses of different categories
would be constructed.

The spokesman said that during this year, Housing Board, Haryana had
launched housing schemes comprising 2932 houses at Industrial Estates,
Bawal and Barhi, Sector-4, Hisar; Sector-9, Bahadurgarh; Sector-19,
Sirsa; Sector-4&5, Karnal and Sector-8, Jind. Construction work of 802
houses at Hisar, Karnal, Bawal and Barhi was in progress and
construction of balance 2130 houses would be started shortly as
tenders for these works were under process. The construction of 3085
houses valuing Rs. 186.50 crore was in progress at Panchkula,
Kurukshetra, Karnal, Hisar, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Gurgaon, Bawal, Barhi
and Faridabad, he added.
===
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/haryana-gives-two-percent-reservation-senior-citizens-house-allotment/22623

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

OAP - UP -Disbursement anomalies

Grave benefits: In UP, even dead get pension
Arvind Singh Bisht, TNN, Nov 8, 2010, 12.58am IST

LUCKNOW: UP is a classic case of corruption where even dead are being
given old-age pension. This way, a sum of Rs 4.21 crore, was given
away as pension and transferred to 18,461 accounts of the dead persons
between 2007-09.

"What is disturbing is that no steps have so far been taken to seek
refund of this amount for the past three years even after detecting
the lapses on part of the social welfare department," the Comptroller
and Auditor General (CAG) of India said in its latest report.

There are also rampant cases of excess and double disbursement and
payment of pension to ineligible persons in the absence of any
physical verification mechanism. The clandestine operation shows a
nexus between officials of the social welfare department responsible
for implementing the scheme and the nationalised banks, selected for
maintaining accounts of beneficiaries of the old age pension.

Notably, the scheme, funded jointly by the state and the Centre, has
an objective to provide financial support to destitute old persons
aged 60 years and above, who are below poverty line. At present,
around 50 lakh persons are being covered under the scheme in the state
with a total budgetary allocation of around Rs 4,000 crore. Likewise,
another Rs 400 crore are stipulated under the National Family Benefit
Scheme (NFBS), meant for assisting those in distress due to death of
their sole bread-earner of the family in the age of 18 and 64 years.
The quantum of pension in both the schemes is fixed at Rs 300 per
month.

However, the CAG showing dissatisfaction with their performance, has
pointed out that survey for identification of beneficiaries was
inadequate and their implementation suffers due to ineffective
monitoring at district/directorate and government levels. While no
database of pensioners is available, the old age pension schemes are
not dovetailed with other poverty alleviation schemes as envisaged,
the CAG points out.

The result was that there were large number of cases of erroneous
payment of pension to ineligible candidates, irregular or
non-disbursement, incorrect reporting of physical verification of the
beneficiaries and double payment of pension.

Citing instances, the CAG pointed out that only 235 pensioners were
verified in Agra out of total 36,566 pensioners involving payment of
Rs 13.16 crore during 2008-09. Out of 235, two cases of death and one
who had left the village were detected, but pension had been paid into
their bank accounts. In Fatehapur, out of total 42,668 pensioners, the
verification reports for 22,635 beneficiaries (53%) from Malwan,
Amauli, Khajuha and Deomai blocks were not available.

Records relating to sanction of pension showed that cases of
ineligible beneficiaries were rampant. In a random survey, 2,323 out
of 3,600 pensioners were ineligible to get pension on ground that they
had adult sons, as per their own admission in the application forms.
Likewise, pensions were also given to a large number of those already
covered under various other schemes. Similarly, cross-checking of
beneficiaries in the physical verification lists with those appearing
in the bank advice, revealed double payment of Rs 47.90 lakh to 1,070
pensioners during 2007-09.

Survey conducted to identify the eligible persons for grant of benefit
under the old age pension scheme, the CAG, pointed was unreliable.
Monitoring was weak, as state level committee (SIC) and district level
committees (DLC) were not constituted. The CAG thus recommends that
identification of pensioners should be made after proper survey and
the SIC and DLCs should be constituted for effective monitoring of the
scheme.

Read more: Grave benefits: In UP, even dead get pension - The Times of
India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Grave-benefits-In-UP-even-dead-get-pension/articleshow/6885583.cms#ixzz17uftihDN
=============

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Grave-benefits-In-UP-even-dead-get-pension/articleshow/6885583.cms

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

Elder abuse of women on the rise (Chennai)

Dec.11: A large number of elderly women in Chennai city are being
abused by their family members, a study conducted by an assistant
professor in the University of Madras has revealed.

The assistant professor, Dr M. Priyamvadha, interviewed nearly 1,800
elderly women of which one out of two turned out to be victims of
verbal abuse. And in the case of 40 percent of elderly women, it was
their sons who turned out to be the abusers.
"I did this as there is no proper study on abuse against elderly women
in the criminological perspective," said Dr M. Priyamvadha, the
assistant professor. "The scriptures say sons protect their mother but
our study proved this was wrong."

The study revealed that family members subject about 53 per cent of
elderly women to verbal abuse. Women in the age group of 70-89 are
more vulnerable to verbal abuse and male members (husband or son) of
the family are the major perpetrators of verbal abuse.
"The prevalence of verbal abuse varies in different socio-economic
groups," said the academic. "It was mostly seen in the lower strata of
the society." Alarmingly, as many as 32 elderly women in the age group
of 60-69 were subjected to sexual abuse also.

"Though this is only two per cent of the total sample size it is a
matter of concern for society," said Dr Priyamvadha. The study also
reveals that a major chunk (54 per cent) of elderly women was
illiterate and about 85 per cent of respondents were unaware of the
newly enacted Act for Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens.
================
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/alarming-rise-abuse-elderly-women-168
Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.
My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

Productive Ageing : Case study

Here is an old man by name Manickam who is 112 years old. He lives in Gengaiamman Koil Street, Manalur, Chidambaram, Kadalur  District, Tamilnadu. He lost his wife 8 years ago and has successfully conducted the marriage of three daughters who are well off, living elsewhere. This old man lives all by himself, herds sheep / goats for his lively hood and produces ropes out of waste nylon fibre and sells it his spare time. He  cooks his own meal and is totally independent even at this age. A case worth noting when we talk of Productive Ageing.  Source: Dinamalar (Tamil) 11/12/2010

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

I thank Sri VRV Rao bringing this to my notice.

U3A in practice

Ratnambal of NGO Colony, Tharapuram, Tiruppur, Tamilnadu is writing 8th Class exam now. Her exam center is in Jaivabhai Municipal Girls High School in Tiruppur. She is one among 210 candidates. She teaches yoga and meditation to school children. After a series of unpleasant experiences in her life, she is living alone. 

How does this news item fit into sss-global? It should be interesting to note that 

she has taken up continuation studies since completing 5th class, after a gap of 45  years. She is now Sixty. Some standing example of U3A in practice?

===

I thank Sri VRV Rao for bringing this to my notice from DInamalar (Tamil) dated  11/12/2010

SSS global get together.

Held on 5^th of December at Surya Towers, Secunderabad.

Registration started at 10am.

The organizers did a very systematic job of collection of money handing over the badge and leading the members to the hall.

Here they were welcomed with hot tea/coffee and delicious potato bondas.

The members greeted each other introduced themselves and engaged in interesting healthy conversation.

The program started at 11am sharp. The MC Mrs Kamakshi greeted everybody thanked them for coming, followed by Invocation song by Mrs Srividya Murthy. Mr Nityanandam welcomed the guests .narrated how the get together was initiated by him along with a group of people in November 2010.

Thereafter Dr Vysamoorthy the co-ordinator gave a brief history of what is SSS global .

It started as a discussion group, the brainchild of Mr Sivaram way back in the year 2001.

In 2006 Sociey for Serving Seniors was started. The main objective is to empower senior citizens to lead independent life with dignity and self respect through fulfilling a providing a vatiety of information needs. SSS became the executing arm of SSS Foundation later – a trust founded by Justice Rangarajan. Mr Narasimhan, Dr P Vyasamoorthy, Mr Rajender, Sri IVLN Chary are the Trustees of SSS Foundation.

The discussion which was earlier called SCF Forum was re-christened sss-global and became the main activity of SSS. Since then it has become a very active group with more than 605 members spread across the world. The idea is to generate healthy intellectual stimulating information to be shared amongst one another on varied topics of interest to seniors.

Predominately they undertake projects for community welfare, offer assistance both financially and work force and contribute constructively for the welfare of the society.

Dr Vyasa moorthy went on to say how it has become a very active group and the number of mails received has multiplied beyond proportion, thus showing the interest invoked in all. To add humor he also stated how lengthy attachments are forwarded and how chain mails have run into dozens. He also mentioned how the decorum is maintained and topics on Religion, pornography questionable mails are avoided.

The next half hour was OPEN HOUSE inviting members to pose questions and seek clarifications.

Suggestions poured in. Dr Vasunder Reddy said the Get together should become an annual feature. This was unanimously accepted and the 1^st Sunday on December was earmarked as the SSS Global annual day. Mr Narasimhan opined that we should meet regularly and offered his residence as the venue. Mr R.N.Mital also supported this idea and stated the Lions Bhavan could also become the venue.

To answer Mr Narasimhan’s query as to what SSS was doing Mr IVLN Chary said that it would like to as a catalyst, to help organizations serve the society, like visit Senior facilities, evaluate them, give ranking and pass on the information. He asked people to volunteer, Mr Badrinarayanan instantly gave his name. It was decided to form sub-groups to take up fresh projects.

Mr Sivaram then described how he started the “Rafi Club” to promote music and enable like minded people to meet and enjoy their talent. Today they meet regularly and last week they had a meet at national level .People assembled from all over the country met at Dolar-e-dhani had a wonderful time.

Mr Sreedhara Rao described how they have promoted a senior facility in A.S. Rao Nagar its activities like games sessions in Carrom, chess regular visits by the members to read, watch T.V. with a group and so on.

Due to constraints of time the open discussion ended.

Two people came all the way from Vishakapatnam. They are: Mr Y.V.S.R.Moorthy and Mr S.R.K.Rao. We were very happy with their enthusiasm. They honoured Mr R.N.Mital and Dr Vyasamoorthy with shawls. Mr.Y.V.S.R. Moorthy spoke of the activities they have taken up in vizag – like: the setting up of an organization Called

” BRAVES “ and also distributed 2 Telugu books published by him.

In order to bring out the importance of Family, Mr Krishna Khanapur showed how to draw up a family tree tracing the forefathers, the present generation, for the future members in the family to know. He also distributed samples of the Family Tree made by him and as well a booklet published by him.

Mr RN Mital formally released the first copy of the “Directory of the SSS-Global members” This was kept for sale for Rs 50/each. (Towards the end of the meeting all the copies brought for sale were sold out.) Mr Mital then addressed the gathering, congratulated the efforts of the group, highlighted the importance of information sharing, collective representation for the common cause of the Seniors, the apathy shown by the Govt.towards the representations made by the seniors on the protest Day on 16^th August etc. He suggested that we should all come together aggressively and fight for the welfare of our fraternity.

Mr.I.V.L.N.Chary distributed pre-addressed post cards appealing to the P.M. to take strict action in the 2G Spectrum scam and to curb and Control Corruption.

This brought the end of the business session.

The next 1 hour was of entertainment The members enthusiastically participated in singing ,cracking jokes. The following members rendered beautifully songs from different genres like devotional,classical, films and so on. Mrs Vidya moorthy,Mr Eashwar Rao Bagade,Mr Nityanandam,Mr Shivaram,Mrs Shashikala,Mrs Geetha,

Mr Sreenadha and Srreedhar narrated jokes which brought fits of laughter and lightened the mood of all. Mr Ramesh Kamkilikar read out poetry written by him which was well appreciated.

Mrs Jayanthi Menon gave the vote of thanks.

She especially appreciated the efforts of the members from Vizag, thanked the members for coming in such large numbers, the caterers for the food and the Hall. The Team of people like MR. Rajender, Mr Nityanandam,Mr Desikamani Mr Shivram,,Mrs Kamakshi, and of course the Leader Dr. Vyasamoorthy. Thanks are also due to all sss-global members who have sent best wishes for the success of the event in sss-global and over phone.

We all thanked Mrs Jayanthi menon for doing a great job with the food.

The last item was an English song by Mrs Kamakshi which was appreciated by all.

Every participant left the venue carrying a memento to cherish his taking part in this great event.

NHRC core group for the elderly : More Members Details

Here is some info on other members of the core group of NHRC.
Let us congratulate all members.

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

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ramamurti PV <ramu142004@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Fri, Dec 3, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Subject: NHRC core group for the elderly
To: Dr P Vyasamoorthy <vyasamoorthy@gmail.com>, sss-global@yahoogroups.com
Cc: jamuna duvvuru <agi2008tirupati@gmail.com>

Dear Dr Vyasamoorthy
I am happy to inform you that a core group has been constituted in the
National Human rights commission.The members from A P are Mr Mital ,Mr
Gangadharan and myself.Among the others are Dr Sugan Bhatia,Dr
kinjawadekar,Dr Gokhale Dr Sivaraju,Dr Mala Kapoor,Dr Vinod Kumar,Dr
Aabha choudhary,Dr PKB Nayar,Dr Siva Raju.Mr N N Sabharwal and Dr
Mathew Cherian of Help Age.
It is hoped that the committee will be active in establishing the
rights of the elderly and preventing abuse
As a member I assure that I shall contribute my mite to the cause of the elderly
Warm regards
Prof.P.V.Ramamurti Phd,FNA(Psy)
Hon Director(emeritus)
Center for Research on Ageing
Dept of Psycholgy
Sri Venkateswara University
Tirupati.A.P.517502
India

Aditya wants separate coaches for senior citizens

My (Irrelevant ? ) comments at the end.
----------------------------------------------------------

Aditya wants separate coaches for senior citizens

Mumbai, December 03, 2010First Published: 02:00 IST(3/12/2010)
Last Updated: 02:01 IST(3/12/2010)

Almost two months after his political debut, Aditya Thackeray, chief
of the Yuva Sena — the youth wing of the Shiv Sena — has asked for few
railway coaches to be reserved for students and senior citizens at all
times. Aditya, 20, grandson of Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray put forth
this request,

through a letter signed by 70,000 Mumbaiites, to Union railways
minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday at Parliament house in New Delhi.
Sena Members of Parliament, including Sanjay Raut, Chandrakant Khaire,
Subhash Wankhede and Bhawna Gawli accompanied him.
Aditya told Banerjee that there was a need for better facilities for
for students and senior citizens travelling by trains in the country
across metros. He also said there were several student deaths that
have taken place while travelling on trains, and it is difficult for
them to travel with books and heavy bags in overcrowded compartments.

"There should be compartments reserved for students, both from
colleges, schools and senior citizens. Students should be allowed to
avail of the facilities six days a week, 12 hours a day. Senior
citizens should be allowed to use it 365 days a year," he said.

Banerjee promised Aditya that she would look in to his demand but she
explained that there was a huge shortage of coaches and meeting this
request would take a few years. She also said it would be difficult
for authorities to make sure these compartments were used only by
students.

Aditya said she should consider the plan on an experimental basis to
begin with. If Aditya gets this request across, it will mean brownie
points for the Shiv Sena for the 2012 Mumbai civic elections.

==============
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Aditya-wants-separate-coaches-for-senior-citizens/Article1-633768.aspx

My Comments:
I came to know of Aditya, thanks to his interest in Senior citizens.
Sometimes Senior citizens are very ignorant, like me and a lady I met
in Syndicate bank today. She was a senior citizen, asked me to lend my
pen and I obliged. While writing the cheque she asked me for the date
I said "Three", then for month, I said "December" and then asked for
the year I said "2010". She said, "Thanks, we have n't yet come to
2011?!" Some people lose sense of time, as time stands still - but
this was too much.

====

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

Core Committee of National Human Rights Commission on the Elderly

On Thu, Dec 2, 2010 at 10:45 PM, APSCCON <apsccon@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear friends,

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS ALSO CONCERNED

 

about the indifference with which issues of Senior Citizens are treated in our Country. The memories of   observance of the Protest Day on August 16, 2010 are still fresh when hundreds and thousands of elderly men and women in every nook and corner of our great Country walked in silent processions unmindful of their physical disabilities, only to exhibit our disappointment at the insensivity of our rulers towards our problems. Whether that country-wide demonstration made any impact on our State and Central Governments is yet to be seen but fortunately the National Human Rights Commission has taken a note of the situation. They have constituted a Core Group on protection and welfare of the elderly persons. The following terms of reference of the Core Group speak of the  purpose of this very welcome step on part of  NHRC.

 

            1] To review existing government policies, laws/rules/orders etc and other material from human rights perspective and make an  assessment  of current status of enforcement of the rights of the elderly in different States/UT's in India.

            2] To identify voids and gaps in the policy framework for implementation and to suggest measures to fill the same.

            3] To identify important human rights issues concerning the elderly and to suggest measures as appropriate for better protection of their rights.

            4] To suggest plan of action for enforcement of rights of elderly persons.

            5] To examine best practices in India and abroad dealing with the care of elderly.

            6] Any other issue which is considered relevant to the subject by the group

 

Dr. SP Kinjwadekar, myself and Prof Sugan Bhatia have been nominated as members of the Core Group representing All India Senior Citizens' Confederation [AISCCON]. Mr. K.R. Gangadharan who has recently joined us as our advisor is also nominated  as  a member of the Core Group in addition to nine other eminent senior citizens.

 

I request you to kindly write to me or send email if you are aware of any situation where according to you the human rights of senior citizens have been violated or any matter which would fall in the purview of the above terms of reference. It will enable us to prepare ourselves for a meaningful discussion in the Core Group and effective representation to NHRC. My address is as follows,

            8-2-333/14a, Road No. 3,

            Banjara Hills, Hyderabad – 500034

            E Mail : rnmital@gmail.com

            Tel : 040 – 23542719/9052004913

            Fax : 040 - 23548409

Warm regards,
R.N.Mital
President: All India Senior Citizens' Confederation

====

My hearty congratulations to you, Dr Kinjawadekar, Mr Gangadharan, Prof Sugan Bhatia , Dr PKB Nayar and others on becoming members of the Core Group of NHC for the protection of human rights of the elderly.This is indeed a milestone in the progress of Senior Citizens movement in India.With your permission I would like to place a copy of this message in my blog for wider circulation.

Dr P Vyasamoorthy,

====

ANDHRA PRADESH SENIOR CITIZENS’ CONFEDERATION

PRESS NOTE

ELECTIONS IN ANDHRA PRADESH SENIOR CITIZENS’ CONFEDRATION held at TADEPALLIGUDEM

At a Meeting of Andhra Pradesh Senior Citizens Confederation (APSCCON) at Tadepalligudem, West Godavari district on 14-11-2010, 65 delegates from different districts in the state attended and elected unanimously the following persons for the Managing Committee of APSCCON and as its office bearers for the period November 2010 to February 2013.

Following were declared elected unanimously as Office bearers at Head Quarters.

1	President	Ch. Parameswara Reddy
2	Associate President	Prof. V. Visweswariah
3	Vice President	P.Ramachandraiah
4	Secretary General	V. Nageswara Rao
5	Organising Secretary	T.V.Mohan Rao
6	Treasurer	N.V.Raman
7	Secretary	Dr.D.Vittal Rao
8	Managing Editor (Blazing Twilight)	J. P. Venkateswarlu
9	Advisory Body Members	N.Ramakrishna, V. Babu Rao

Following were elected as Office bearers in different Zones:

Zone	State Vice President	State Secretary
1	K.J.R. Sarma	Ch.Venkat Rao
2	D. Narayana Murthy	M.Venkateswara Rao
3	D. Hanumantha Rao	Ch. Ramkotiah
4	C. Yella Reddy	Y. Venkat Reddy
5	T.Bhomanna	Dr.D. Sudhakar
6	S. Mallikarjun	G.Daniel
7	Dr.P. Vyasamoorthy	N. Rajenderao

Following were elected as members of Managing Committee

Zone 1	M.V. Ramana,
Zone 2	N. Ramakrishna, V.K. Veera Rao, K.Muniswara Rao, Vemuri Babu Rao,
Zone 3	N. Malakondiah, D. Hanumantha Rao, Y.B. Koteshwara Rao, N.Subba Rao
Zone 4	To be elected later.
Zone 5	M.A. Shakoor
Zone 6	G.V. Ramanaiah,
Zone 7	, Dr.Potham Setty, P.V.V G K. Murthy

The newly elected Managing Committee resolved unanimously to appoint Justice A. Lakshman Rao [ formerly Chief Justice of Allahabad high Court] as the Advisor and R.N. Mital [immediate past president of APSCCON and present President of All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation] as President Emeritus, and also to appoint J.P. Venkateswarlu, P.V.G.K. Murty and T.V. Hanumantha Rao as Honorary Presidents.

APSCCON Elections on 14th November 2010 - Results announced

Dear Friends

During the recent Central Council Members Meeting of APSCCON held in
Tadepalligudam on 14th November 2010, there were elections to MC
members and office bearers. The results are given the attachment.

Sri Ch Parmashwar Reddy is the new President of APSCCON, taking over
from Sri Rn Mital.

You may note that the attached list contains many sss-global members like:

Prof Visweswaraiah, (Associate President) (formerly Secretary General)
Sri RN Mital  (Chief Advisor) (formerly President)
Dr P Vyasamoorthy (State Vice President) (re-elected)
Sri Rajendra Rao (State Secretary) (earlier Joint Secretary of Zone 7)

Don't they deserve your claps?
========

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

Senior citizens health club Coimbatore

My comment on the following news item: Heritage Hospital in Hyderabad
is having a similar Senior Citizens Club for a long time but we get to
hear about it during once
a year cultural program only. Some private hospitals like Kamineni &
Yashoda gave senior citizens cards, allowing certain discounts on
diagnostics and treatment some years ago but such cards did not pick
up. I do not know why.

===============================
Senior citizens health club

Staff Reporter
COIMBATORE: Sree Abirami Hospital has started Abirami – Senior
Citizens Health Club to extend benefits to the elderly.

A release from P. Periyasamy, Medical Director of the Hospital, said
the scheme offered many privileges to those above 58 years at a
nominal registration fee.

At present, the Hospital planned to enrol 1,000 persons as members.

Those enrolled would get two free consultations a year, concession on
professional charges, nursing, room rent, investigation, diagnostic
procedure, etc. priority in all services, the assistance of a special
help desk and benefits of a periodical awareness programme.

Details

Dr. Periyasamy said the scheme reflected the Hospital's social
commitment towards the welfare of the elderly. Further details could
be had from 97509-72972.
============
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/10/21/stories/2010102157930200.htm
Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.
My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

Sundaram Finance FD scheme for senior citizens (9% for 3 years)

Sundaram Finance scheme for senior citizens

CHENNAI: Sundaram Finance has introduced a fixed and cumulative
deposit scheme for senior citizens. It will offer 8.25 per cent
interest on one year deposit, 8.50 per cent on 2 year deposit and 9
per cent on 3 year deposit. The effective yield of a three year
cumulative deposit will be 10.20 per cent. The company has also
announced an increase in FD and CD rates for others. It will offer 8
per cent (7.50 per cent) on one year, 8.25 per cent (8 per cent) on
two year and 8.50 per cent (8.50 per cent) on three year deposits
effective from November 8.
===========
Source:

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/11/03/stories/2010110353661500.htm

AISCCON Conference - Coverage in Vrindavan Today

Haryana CM Hooda gives 10 lakh donation to AISCCON

by JAGAT on OCTOBER 25, 2010

Haryana CM Bhupender Singh Hooda concluded his appearance at the AISCCON conference with a surprise announcement of a large personal donation of 10 lakhs to the confederation to help it develop its program.

Hooda said, furthermore, that the Haryana government has undertaken numerous different programs for the benefit of the elderly, through which they can both get self respect and also make a living. "All Indians should be ready to give up their lives for their mothers and the motherland."

He said that the elderly might be physically weak, but their experience and blessings are powerful. We are able to face life's greatest difficulties by making use of their experience. "Those who don't respect the dignity of the elderly can never make progress," he said. "Our forefathers suffered all through their lives and even went to prison so that the light of freedom could shine for us. We must show respect for their heroism."

The local MLA Pradeep Mathur said that old age is that last stage of life, when people are in fact most needed by their families. But due to current conditions they are being left on their own. "The time has come when under the leadership of this institution the elderly throughout the country get organized and become strong so that they can get the respect they deserve."

Confederation director R.N. Mittal said that the life of the elderly is the result of a long struggle, which results in an experience by which society can take direction.

Various lifetime achievement awards and so on were given out. In particular, Vrindavan painter Kanhai Chitrakar and industrialist Suresh Nanda were singled out for awards.

The Congress is the party of economic development

Afterward in a press conference, Hooda said that the Congress is the party of development, whereas the opposition parties are mired in the politics of divisiveness. "They have not been able to digest the success of the Commonwealth Games," he said, "The success of the Games has given the world a new image of India. But the opposition parties are frustrated by this and so have focused exclusively on the loss of hundreds of crores to corruption."

"But people have become fed up with the politics based on religious divisions. What they now want is economic progress. Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and other states under Congress governments are making great strides economically. The Bihar elections stand to be shock everyone."

Offering his respectful obeisances to the holy land of Vrindavan, he said that Lord Krishna had his pastimes here. Coming here had given him a feeling of otherworldly joy. Earlier in the day, he had gone for darshan of Banke Bihari where temple sevaits Amit and Jugal Goswami engaged him in puja of the Lord. Then he had visited Kanhai Chitrakar's galleryof devotional art on Chatikara Road, where he admired his great talent.

The society's elderly show the way: Guru Sharanananda

Also speaking at the 10th annual AISCCON convention held at Akshaya Patra, on Saturday, Karshni Gurusharanananda Maharaj said that the elderly are our society's capital. "The young must learn the way to live from society's seniors. By following the path that they teach, children will go on to have a bright future. The elderly are not helpless, but have their own strengths. Though their experience and blessings, they educate and refine the young."

He said that those who serve and respect their elders are never unhappy in their lives. We should understand that our elders are a priceless treasure and serve them. This is the teaching of Indian culture.

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

http://www.news.vrindavantoday.org/2010/10/gurusharanananda-and-hudda-speak-at-aisccon-conference/

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

Book Review: LinkAge - October 2010 Issue - Special edition on Productive Ageing.

Book Review: LinkAge – October Issue. Special edition on Productive Ageing.

 

This October 2010 issue of LINKAGE – Monthly magazine of Senior Citizens Bureau, Chennai - is a special issue titled:  "Productive Ageing".  It is a 64 pages book containing about 40 articles, both in Tamil and English, mostly sourced from the Internet, Hindu, Dinamalar etc. Some half a dozen articles are exclusively written by members of Bureau and their friends. As usual there is heavy slant towards health and fitness: there are articles on Diabetes, Thyroid Blood Pressure, Physical Fitness, common cold, Backache, cancer etc. Articles relating to senior citizens welfare like Old Age Pensions, National Commission for Senior Citizens, World Elders Day, Suggestions on improving various government concessions / schemes for seniors etc. are also found. There are quite a few poems in Tamil too.   If you are serious here is a list of English language articles:

 

 

No to negative thoughts

Happy and healthy living

Senior citizens welfare scheme

Ageing beautifully & gracefully

Ten benefits of lemon water for health

"every day in every way i am getting better and better"

Govt. Plans panel for elderly

Dealing with depression in seniors

'Kalaivani' **

How to avoid shaky hand writing

Are senior citizens an asset or liability?

DTC and senior citizens

Invictus

Advance of science and technology

Activities report by the secretary general

Senior members - 85 years of age

 

Asterisked story, Kalaivani, is an interesting interview of a book stores girl by a reporter for Washington Post. The journalist was so impressed with the intelligence, duty consciousness and family responsibility of this poor but deserving girl that he volunteered to bear all the expenses of her five poor sisters' education. Very moving story indeed – however, as it is nearly 2 years ago this interview was taken, it would be worthwhile to know how the girl and her family are fairing now. Some SCB member can find out and inform all of us.

 

If you try to find out what "productive ageing" is all about, you will not find a single article in this book. It is only in the title and nowhere else. Anyone ordering the book by reading the title alone will be disappointed. Some other title, justifying the contents, should have been given.

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

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