Agewell Foundation

“Initiate older persons-friendly projects to address growing needs of older persons”     On the occasion of International Day for Older Persons (1 st Oct. 2011), Agewell Foundation*, an NGO working for the welfare and empowerment of older persons across India, on behalf of over 100 million older persons of the country has appealed to the Prime Minister of India and Chairperson, National Advisory Committee to initiate and implement some unique projects in the country. These recommendations are based upon several surveys & research studies conducted by Agewell Foundation from time to time over the years. In its representations sent to the PM and Chairperson, NAC, Agewell Foundation has requested to do the following to address the growing needs of ever increasing older persons of India ·          Establishment of a National Institute for Aged on the lines of AIIMS for treatment and research in age related ailments. ·          Setting up of National Fund for the Aged (on the lines

Agewell Foundation appeals to the CM and Delhi Govt. Agewell Foundation appeals to the  Chief Minister and Government of NCT of Delhi  to cover process of  Old Age Pension  in the list of time-bound services currently covered under  E-SLA Project , launched by the Government under  The Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services) Act, 2011  recently. It is to be noted that, in Delhi there are thousands of destitute and poor older persons, who are eligible for old age pension and other social assistance services, but due to non-availability of specific instructions to concerned authorities and non-cooperation from government departments they could not avail benefit of the scheme. Many older persons could not even apply for old age pension because of lack of awareness & lengthy follow up process. Many older persons who have finally succeeded in filing their applications have no idea about the status of their applications for old age pension. Agewell Helpline for ol

Isolation: The worst enemy of old age “At the age of 75, when I need family support, I am forced to live alone. My sons are settled in towns but they have no place for their parent.” - Ashok Kumar Bhadoria (75 years), Jhansi, UP “Neighbors and relatives often visit me, but I hardly could share my loneliness with them.” - Bimla Devi, a 80 year-old-widow, Gaya, Bihar “In a big family of 7 members, there is no one to whom I can share few moments. They are busy with their businesses and I am busy with my loneliness.” - Mohd. Hanif Khan, a 69-year-old person from Mumbai “After demise of my wife, my life is filled with sound of silence and color of darkness” -                      Abinash Biswas, 74-year-old person from Burdwan, West Bengal “I had worked hard for the welfare of my children, but now they have no time for me, instead they treat me as a burden on their family.” -                      Rukmani P Iyer, 85-year-old widow from Chennai “ I am quite happy with my isolation. I

Older Persons: Often ignored by Political class “Politicians have no sensitivity towards older persons. Even when they themselves become old, they don’t want to extend a helping hand towards other older persons, because they do not consider them as important voters.” -Vibhuti Narayan Pandey, 87, Rohtas, Bihar “Although older people regularly vote and their numbers are also very high but they are not considered a vote bank because they are not looked at as a group.” -          Mohd. Irfan Khan, 61, Retired University Professor, Aligarh, UP “Who has ever heard any politician ever talking about old people in the parliament?” -          Dr. Sushila Patnaik, 66, Rourkela, Orissa “If my children have no job or sufficient income, do you think we will let our grandchildren suffer because we need maintenance?” -          Suman Kaushik, 70, Udaipur, Rajasthan “Which Indian would ever force his daughter or son-in-law to provide for him?” we won’t even have a drop of water in our married dau