Note on IDOP function organized by HelpAge AP on 1st October 2014 in Hyderabad
HelpAge (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) organized a grand function celebrating International Day of the Older Persons. In the morning there was a successful Walkathon flagged off by Sri Anurag Sharma Director General of Police. In the afternoon there was a huge gathering of senior citizens, both elite and poor. The latter came from Patancheru, Chot Uppal, Medak, Yadagirigutta, Ramagiri etc. The PS Telugu University Auditorium was packed with people sitting everywhere – even on floor with dozens standing near the doors. HelpAge managed to muster support from some twenty four organizations – NGOs, Govt Departments, Municipalities, Lions Clubs, Public / Private sector Units etc. Complete list is amazing to read and applaud.
Before the meeting part could begin we were entertained for nearly an hour by Ramakrishna Rao and his group. I could see many people asking for their contact details – proof that their performance was laudatory. Sri Rajalingam gave mimicry items; Sri GV Raju sang Laddu Laddu song, this time accompanied by instruments to support. (see audio clip here: http://goo.gl/JHp712 )
Dr N K Raju of BDL and Dr AN Gupta of Premier Explosives were Guests of Honour. Sri T Rajaiah, Deputy CM could not participate as he was busy with – who else? – CM – KCR garu. Other people on the dias included: Sri Dass, Sri Uppula Gopala Rao Dr Rao Chelikani, Dr Nageswara Rao, Sri Linga Reddy, Sri Mohan Reddy etc After formal prayers and Jyothi lighting speakers were called in.
Sri Dass spoke in Telugu for the first time and he did very well being a first timer. He welcomed all, thanked everyone for co-operation. Told us how BDL and Premier Explosives were highly supportive in their mobile medical van projects. Sri Gopala Rao appreciated HelpAge for serving the poor. He said he was consulted in preparing HelpAge India's Vision 2020 document. Dr Rao Chelikani traced the development / history behind IDOP. He also briefed on the theme of 2014 IDOP viz: A society for all ages – Leaving no one behind". He also emphasized the need for senior citizens helping senior citizens. Sri Nageswar Rao noticed the presence of a large number of rural poor senior citizens among the audience. He mentioned about advantages of generic medicines and said more such jeevanadhara shops must come up in rural areas.
Sri Raju of BDL said they selected HelpAge for extending their support as that would ensure proper utilization of funds without mis-appropriation. He declared that another medical mobile unit will be funded (Rs 65 lakhs) soon to be placed in Ibrahimpatnam in RR District. We should teach our children to respect elders – this must be a movement of sorts he emphasized. Sri Dass commented that as a part of their SAVE (students Action Value Education) program nearly 7000 schools have been engaged in sensitizing school children.
Dr Gupta of Premier Explosives also assured that one more mobile medical unit (Rs 65 Lakhs) will be funded soon. His company is helping the poor in Yadagrigutta with free medicines and medicare. He was of the opinion that the CSR contribution must be raised from present 2% to 20%. For middle class elders a number of DCCs must come up of payment basis, he suggested.
The meeting was followed by Awards Ceremony. HelpAge had conducted several sports activities where MMUs are located and among rural SHGs formed by them. Several scores of participants winning in these events were given prizes. Then several senior citizens were honored with
"Social Responsibility Awards" – with nicely framed certificates, Shawl etc. Some Awardees I can remember the names are: Sri IVLN Chary, Dr P Vyasamoorthy, Sri Lohitaksha Menon, Sri Seetharamaswamy). The function was a great success impacting on all concerned – NGOs, SHGs, SCAs etc
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