Training of Senior Citizens to serve Elders of the Country.

M.V.Ruparelia, Chief Patron, All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON),

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: 17-10-13.

Kumari Selja, Hon Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment,

 Government of India, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi-110 001.

Respected Madam,

Sub: Welfare of 12 crore Elders of the Country- Training of Senior Citizens to serve Elders of the Country.

Provisions in para 76 of National Policy of Older Persons, 99 (NPOP, 99) read as under in which  Government has promised to provide training to Senior Citizens for helping themselves and other senior citizens for handling their various problems.

 `` 76. Support will be provided for setting up volunteer programmes which will mobilize the participation of older persons and others in community affairs, interact with the elders and help them with their problems. Volunteers will be provided opportunities for training and orientation on

handling problems of the elderly and kept abreast of developments in the field to promote active

ageing. Volunteers will be encouraged to assist the home bound elderly, particularly frail and

elderly women and help them to overcome loneliness.``

We request you to get proper training programme prepared and executed by NISD for training the trainers in respect of all aspects of welfare of senior citizens at grassroots levels. Some aspects are suggested below:

i)                 All provisions of NPOP, 99- Provisions & Progress achieved and action required to get early implementation of all provisions. Sufficient emphasis should be on provisions given in Mandate & Policy Statement.

ii)                All provisions of Maintenance & Welfare of parents & senior citizens Act, 2007 & Rules made there under by States- Provisions & Progress achieved and action required to get early implementation of all provisions.

iii)              Deep study of Integrated Programmes with all procedures & necessities required in detail- Provisions & Progress achieved and action required to get early implementation of all provisions.

iv)             All provisions of National Programme of Health Care of Elders-Provisions & Progress achieved and action required to get early implementation of all provisions.

v)               Art & Practices to represent the necessities of senior citizens to concerned authorities, including RTI Act, 2005.

vi)             Formation & functioning of various Committees/Councils provided in NPOP & MWPSC Act & Rules.

vii)           Action Plan to get CSR funds for various programmes for senior citizens.

viii)         Machinery & methods to remain in touch with all departments of Central, State, Local Institutes like Municipality, Panchayats, Public Sector Organizations like Banks etc, Trusts, Charitable Institutes running Hospitals, NGOs etc.  

ix)             Contact & tact necessary for continuous liaison with Media- Government Media like  Prasar Bharti, Doordarshan etc and Private Media like TV Channels, Newspapers, Magazines, Bollywood for serials & pictures etc. NISD can give various topics affecting elders, creating respects for elders, facilities given by government; inter generation relations etc enumerated in NPOP, rights of elders & other aspects, as necessary. Ministry of Health should get prepared sufficient instruction material on self care, easy-to-follow guidance material on health and nursing care of older persons.

x)               Complete material for training, second careers & avenues of useful utilization of senior citizens and methods of negotiations.

 In absence of any machinery to disseminate information about various facilities, concessions and directives by various departments of Governments, Public & Private Sectors, Local Bodies etc for welfare of elders of the Country, majority of senior citizens remain unaware of most of facilities and do not get advantage thereof. It is therefore absolutely necessary that all office bearers of all registered associations of senior citizens and active senior citizens are trained on continuous & regular basis at all places by getting training facilities established with help of various Training Institutes & NGOs by providing syllabus & trained personnel. Ministry of Personnel is giving training for various aspects of Right to Information Act, 2005, including on-line training.

We shall be grateful, if early arrangements are made for such training and action plan for this advised by giving reply to this representation in terms of para 66 & 67 of Office Manual.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)