To
Date: 27-3-13.
DR.
M. MANGAPATI PALLAM RAJU, AB – 3, PANDARA ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 003
Hon. Minister for Human
Resource Development,
Government of India,
Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110001.
Dear Sir,
Sub: Education and
Recognition of 12 crore Elders as Resource & Think-Tank of the Country.
Ref: Various Provisions in
National Policy of Older Persons, 1999 and our representation dt. 24-7-12 to
your predecessor, followed by RTI Application dt 1-9-12, 1st Appeal
dt 15-10-12 and letters to Shri Ashok Thakur, Secretary, Higher Education on
20-12-12 & 17-2-13 to which no replies are received..
We welcome you as our new
Minister for Most Important Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The essence of Human
Resource Development is education, which plays a significant and remedial role
in balancing the socio-economic fabric of the Country. Since citizens of India
are its most valuable resource, our billion-strong nation needs the nurture and
care in the form of basic education to achieve a better quality of life. This
warrants an all-round development of our citizens, which can be achieved by
building strong foundations in education. Motto of Human Development Ministry
is ``All for Knowledge & Knowledge for All.``
12 crore Elders of
the Country are declared as huge untapped resource by Government of India
with approval of Cabinet on 13-2-99 in National Policy, 99 (Para 78) for which
facilities are to be made available to use their potentiality as per their
choice. We request you to develop this untapped resource of the Country for
last spell of our life andprovide avenues for utilization of this experienced
vast human force of 12 crore Elders. Special programmes are required to be
designed, so that they can enrich and update their knowledge, integrate
tradition with contemporary needs and transmit more effectively the
Socio-Cultural heritage to school children and youths. As per para 81 of
Policy, 99, programmes are to be developed to promote family values, sensitize
the young on the necessity & desirability of inter-generational bonding and
continuity of meeting filial obligations of children.
We had brought all aspects
required to be considered by your Ministry to the notice of your predecessor
Shri Kapil Sibalji under our letter dt 24-7-12 enclosed herewith
without repeating its contents here. We have been advised in writing by
almost all your departments that work assigned to them does not include various
aspects of development of Elders and implementation of National Policy, 99.
Kindly, get this very important subject of developing this huge resource of 12
crore Elders dealt with by some department very early, as loneliness created
due to no developmental programmes by your Ministry is creating a very big
Social Problem in the entire Country.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
(M.V.Ruparelia
M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi
Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (E). District Thane,
Maharashtra. 401 107. M.09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in
To
Date: 24-7-12.
Shri Kapil Sibalji,
Hon. Minister for Human
Resource Development,
Government of India,
Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110001.
Dear Sir,
Sub: Education and Recognition of 12 crore Elders as
Resource & Think-Tank of the Country.
Ref: Various Provisions in
National Policy of Older Persons, 1999.
1. We
are very much impressed by your enthusiastic actions in reforming the Education
System and bringing RTE Act and monitoring the progress of Educational systems
in the entire Country. You have taken several path breaking reforms in the
education sector. The historic guarantee of the right to free elementary
education became a reality under your stewardship. This enactment has the
potential to unleash the latent energies of the children of India. Higher
education has also seen a significant overhaul in its governance and regulatory
structures. As the essence of Human Resource Development is education,
which plays a significant and remedial role in balancing the socio-economic
fabric of the Country, we, the Senior Citizens of the Country look towards you,
one of us being 64, for taking very early suitable action to implement various
provisions in NPOP, 99 pertaining to your Ministry for unleashing our potential
for benefit of Society and Country.
2. Para
93 of the Policy directs each Ministry to implement the aspects concerning them
by preparing Five Year and Annual Action Plan with targets. Para 18 of the
Policy envisages that age 60+ is a phase, when individual should have chances
and opportunities to lead an active, creative, productive and satisfying life.
For this, paras 55 to 58 of Policy lay down detailed guidelines and directives
to meet the education, training and information needs of Elders. Open Universities
are expected to develop packages using distance education learning techniques.
Educational curriculums at all stages of formal and non-formal education have
to incorporate material to strengthen inter-generational bonds etc. Let
Good Institutes open their doors and give as many facilities as possible to
Senior Citizens for passing time usefully in their crucial phase of life. They
will be useful to the Institute & the Society with their varied experience
in various fields. No action appears to have been taken on these specific
paras concerning your Ministry for last 13 years.
3. Para
78 of Policy recognizes Senior Citizens as huge untapped resource for which
facilities are to be made available to use their potentiality as per their
choice. Special programmes are required to be designed, so that they can enrich
and update their knowledge, integrate tradition with contemporary needs and
transmit more effectively the Socio-Cultural heritage to school children and
youths. As per para 81, programmes are to be developed to promote family
values, sensitize the young on the necessity & desirability of
inter-generational bonding and continuity of meeting filial obligations of
children. As per para 83, Medical colleges and research institutions are required
to set up centres of gerontology studies and geriatrics. An inter-disciplinary
coordinating body with national status for research for gerontological issues,
sensitization programmes on ageing etc is to be established. There are large
number of paras in which your Ministry has to take initiative and take very
early action.
4. We
request you to create vast avenues for useful utilization of this ever
increasing vast resource of Senior Citizens as laid down in Policy. As you
know, idle mind is devil`s workshop and having no such avenues for utilization,
large number of Senior Citizens abuse themselves. A person retires
from service, he feels he has done a lot and now deserves rest! He rests and
does not remain active, resulting in deteriorating health & connected
problems! He abuses himself!! He develops inertia of doing nothing. He feels,
he need not waste his energy, which requires to be preserved at this age! He
forgets that we have unlimited energy and even in active life, we have used a
very small % of our energy. He forgets that majority of our Ministers are
Senior Citizens working enthusiastically for welfare of masses. In old age
also, we have unlimited energy and the Principle is ``USE IT OR LOOSE IT.
As older persons constitute an ever-increasing proportion of the total
population, they have the potential to become more influential
politically, economically and socially. Fulfilling this potential would be
in line with the objectives of the Madrid International Plan of Action on
Ageing, which are to ensure that people age with security and dignity and
continue to participate fully in their societies as citizens with full rights.
We have to provide some honorary or paid work to all as per their
qualification, inclination and timings etc. We have to lay down an humane
Policy for utilization of very large portion of our citizens, who will be 20%
of the population shortly by 2050 and if allowed to idle for long life of 30-40
years after retirement, there would be insurmountable problem for the Society &
Country.
5. We
have large number of intelligent officers and staff in your Ministry and
thinkers in the Country, who can suggest such avenues for utilization of our
Elders. You may like to get their views and create a Policy with avenues for
Elders. e.g. We can consider part time jobs like (i) monitoring some 5 schools
by a senior citizen in his near about area for moral lessons to students
etc (ii) Appointments on Advisory Committees of Municipality, supervising civic
facilities, gardens, gyms, temples, encroachment on footpaths etc (iii) Looking
after welfare activities of Corporate Houses under CSR funds utilization (iv)
Government programmes like teaching adults, street children, Family Planning,
polio drops, drug abuse, respect for women, census, elections, help in law and
order situations etc (v) Visits to Hospitals, Old Men Homes. (vi)
Counseling & helping needy Senior Citizens etc.
6. With
your dynamic personality & tact of handling all situations very
efficiently, we are sure that you will do needful quickly, sincerely and set an
example on all Ministries by becoming First to completely implementing National
Policy concerning your Ministry.
7. We
request you to give us reply in terms of para 66 of Office Manual for this
request, indicating your plan of action.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
(M.V.Ruparelia)
