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: 25-8-13.
Shri Shashi Tharoor, Hon.
Minister of State 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 Shri
Kapil Sibalji, the then Minister, 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 and letter dt 27-3-13 to DR. M. MANGAPATI PALLAM RAJU, Hon.
Minister to which no replies are received.
We were very much impressed
by your charm, wit, eloquence, good work at UNO and continuous presence on
Social Media brought out in your Interview by Srilekha Pillai published in Smt
Tina Ambani`s popular Magazine- Harmony, Celebrate Age for August, 2013.We have
noted your burning desire to fulfill the potential of India to give decent life
to all its citizens. We are happy to note your self confidence for your
realization that your personal interventions made a huge amount of difference
and things, you have done at UNO has made a real difference to people`s lives. United
Nation has proclaimed its policy for Elders in General Assembly in 1992 and has
been encouraging governments to design & implement their policies for
Elders from time to time. The theme for
International Day of Older Persons, 1st October 2013 is
``THE FUTURE WE WANT -WHAT OLDER PERSONS ARE SAYING.``
2.As
you have stated that you do not know enough about policies for Elders, we may
state that our Government has notified National Policy for Older Persons, 99
with the approval of Cabinet on 13-2-99, covering all
aspects required to be taken into account for real welfare of Older Persons. It
is really a very comprehensive and extraordinary document leaving not a single
aspect affecting the lives of Senior Citizens with clear directives for
implementation. You, being prolific and quick reader, we request you to go
through this very well presented Policy. It has been provided in its Mandate &
Policy Statement to take effective steps to improve
the quality of life of all Elders, strengthen their legitimate place in society
and help them to live their last spell of life with purpose, dignity and peace.
Para 18 of the Policy provides that age 60+ is a
phase, when individual should have chances and opportunities to lead an active,
creative, productive and satisfying life. Ministry of HRD is one of the the
apex authorities of Government of India at the national level to formulate
policies, sponsor and support programmes of the Government. It is regretted
that Ministry of HRD has not taken any steps to act as per these provisions in
Mandate & Policy Statement and various provisions of the Policy, 99
pertaining to HRD Ministry even after 14 full years. The essence of Human
Resource Development is education, which plays a significant and remedial role
in balancing the socio-economic fabric of the Country. Motto of Human Resource Development
Ministry is ``All for Knowledge & Knowledge for All.``
3. 12 crore Elders of
the Country (10% of total population, 13% of electorate and 21% of
effective voters) 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 our
sincere, thinker, philosopher and enlightened Minister to prepare a detailed
Scheme to develop this untapped resource of the Country for last spell of their
life and provide 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 also 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. 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. 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 HRD 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 is 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 thinker like you can make out a Scheme with their experience for avenues
for utilization and education & training of our Elders. You may 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 Schools, Colleges, Municipality
for 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 schools, colleges, Hospitals, Old Men Homes. (vi) Counseling & helping needy Senior
Citizens etc.
6.With your dynamic personality & tact of handling all
situations very efficiently and expertly, we are sure that you will do needful
quickly, sincerely and give to the States/UTs a detailed Scheme on 1st
October, 13- the International Day of Older Persons for early implementation
with targets.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
(M.V.Ruparelia)
No comments:
Post a Comment