Workshop on Active Ageing for Healthy Living AND Elder Spring Response System for Elderly

On 27th March 2019 I took part in two memorable events. Brief Reports are given below

Workshop on Active Ageing for Healthy Living

Organized by School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad on 27^th March 2019

The workshop per-se was preceded by Inauguration of Active and Health Ageing Research at Nursing Research Lab by VC, Prof Appa Rao.  Inaugural session then started off with a brilliant overview by DR Varalakshmi  on Ageing Research describing all the activities of the school. Results of interactive study with hundreds of residents of nearby old age homes were presented. Prof Prakash Babu welcomed all; Earlier to this, I learnt that Prof Kalluri Subba Rao had guided research into biochemistry of brain and related issues. I recollected warmly how I participated in the inaugural of that Lab decades ago. Prof Sesikaran’s  talk on nutrition for the elderly was most useful with down to earth practical tips given a language without much jargon.  Mr Babu of Rivi Biosolutions explained a novel IT based solution for psychometric analysis of the elderly.

Dr Subbulakshmi Natarajan gave an immensely useful on talk how to deal with patients of dementia. Then I gave a presentation on Lifelong Learning for the elderly with special reference to cognitive health. Prof BR Shamanna was the chairman of our session. Happily learnt that he had known about me through several forwards of my posts through Justice TNC Rangarajan. Prof Sesikaran, former Director of NIN, requested me to schedule a day to talk to members of NIN Pensioners Association on the same topic, as he found my talk very useful. After lunch, Ms Mateen and her team engaged the participants in various games, puzzles and mind games. Both individual and team work were planned. This part was appreciated by everyone. Intermittently, several participants entertained all of us by songs accompanied by clapping and tapping of legs. Enjoyable, in every sense.

I had to leave early missing one important documentary by students and subsequent valedictory session. I rushed to participate in the launch event for Tata Trust’s Elder Spring Response System for the Elderly, in Begampet.

Launch of Elder Spring - Response System for the Elderly 14567

Yesterday was a red letter day for senior citizens of Hyderabad.

Tata Trust  launched Elder Spring Response System reachable with the toll free number 14567. Initially in Hyderabad but planned to cover other areas soon. Conversing with the elderly, counselling, providing info on elderly care, rescuing abandoned elderly supporting victims of abuse are present activities. Info on OAHs, caregivers, DCCs, product & service providers, guidance on legal medical and health, pension issues will be dealt with for now. Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation supported by Tata Trust is managing this RSE. Along with other dignitaries, I participated in the launch session by cutting the cake, lighting the lamp and by being felicitated for supporting the  group in start up activities.  Three documents in the link below give all details.

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Documents on Tata TRust Response System for the Elderly

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Mandala Painting in SCF

Mandala Coloring at SCF

Yesterday in SCF we did something different. Ms Mamta Gupta, Chairperson of MSSI (Multiple Sclerosis Society of India) engaged all of us in Mandala Coloring activity. She briefly explained that a Mandala is a drawing mostly in the shape of a circle with a center. Around the center there are geometric patterns or pictures of natural elements like tree flower animal bird etc. Sketching / drawing Mandalas or coloring such patterns is highly engaging. Concentration, attention, memory improves. You may get connected from your inner being to cosmos. They are seen in temple paintings / architecture. And most Rangoli drawn in front yard of our houses end up as Mandalas.

Mamta gave each one of us a sheet of paper printed with a Mandala. And sets of color pencils. We spent about thirty minutes coloring the sheet given to us. The activity was absorbing, took us back to our school days. Mr NV Murthy used just his black in pen to come out with a unique & impressive Black and white output. After appreciating our work she gave prizes to several members. Application of several colors, neatness in execution, fast and quick work, color combination were some points considered for judging the results of our endeavor.

My elder daughter has taken to coloring Mandalas during the past one year. She has been trying to enthuse me to try my hands at it.  She even gifted me a set of 18 Bi-colour Pencils (Faber-Castell) Few incomplete colored sheets are still staring at me.  But yesterday in SCF I managed to color a complete Mandala. Didn’t get any prize, but worth boasting about, I feel.  Here it is.

Note by Vyasamoorthy on 19^th March 2019

Difference between Intelligence and Wisdom

Difference between Intelligence and Wisdom

Source: Unknown

Forward from Ms Jayanti

1. Intelligence leads to arguments.

Wisdom leads to settlements.

2. Intelligence is power of will.

Wisdom is power OVER will.

3. Intelligence is heat, it burns.

Wisdom is warmth, it comforts.

4. Intelligence is pursuit of knowledge, it tires the seeker.

Wisdom is pursuit of truth, it inspires the seeker.

5. Intelligence is holding on.

Wisdom is letting go.

6. Intelligence leads you.

Wisdom guides you.

7. An intelligent man thinks he knows everything.

A wise man knows that there is still something to learn.

8. An intelligent man always tries to prove his point.

A wise man knows there really is no point.

9. An intelligent man freely gives unsolicited advice.

A wise man keeps his counsel until all options are considered.

10. An intelligent man understands what is being said.

A wise man understands what is left unsaid.

11. An intelligent man speaks when he has to say something.

A wise man speaks when he has something to say.

12. An intelligent man sees everything as relative.

A wise man sees everything as related.

13. An intelligent man tries to control the mass flow.

A wise man navigates the mass flow.

14. An intelligent man preaches.

A wise man reaches.