World Elder Abuse Awareness Day- 15 th June, 15.

M.V.Ruparelia, Chief Patron, All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON),A503 Rashmi Utsav,  Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East),  Dist. Thane.401 107.  M. 09821732855.  E/Mail:mrmvruparelia@gmail.com

Shri Narendra Modiji, Prime Minister of India.                                   Date: 15-6-15.    

South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi-110101.

Respected Modiji,

Sub: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day- 15 th June, 15.

You have been kind enough to various sections of Society and have taken action to give various benefits to them, you have also talked about them in your Man Ki Bat etc but completely forgotten your 12 cror Elders of the Country. I have sent you 4 letters dt 17-5-14, 27-5-14, 24-7-14 and 14-4-15 giving what is not done in addition to letters to concerned Ministers. No reply is received from your side nor from concerned Ministries. It is seen from Press Reports that no mention is made by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment about Senior Citizens in their Progress Report about work done by Nodal Ministry during the first year of BJP Rule.

According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, lost productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multispectral & multidisciplinary approach. Governments and Most Powerful Fourth Estate viz Media are two main sources on which depend the well being of Elders and strengthening of their legitimate place in Society & helping them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity & Peace. Not implementing the various notified Policies by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 17 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India  in light of INPEA`s above definition!

On this International Day, we request you to look in to this deplorable position for quick remedial actions, hold second All India Conference of Senior Citizens at your level and do something concrete for the well being of Elders and strengthening of their legitimate place in Society & helping them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity & Peace.

With Blessings and Best Wishes,

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Interview on 20-5-15 at my residence by S/Shri Kashkhedikar, Secretary General, AISCCON & Shri Rangnathan, Acting Editor, AISCCONNEWS:-

Interview on 20-5-15 at my residence by S/Shri Kashkhedikar, Secretary General, AISCCON & Shri Rangnathan, Acting Editor, AISCCONNEWS:-

Q 1: What prompted you to come in Senior Citizen Movement?

My Gandhian School Shri Sharda Mandir, Karachi and my employment  in Indian Railway Personnel Service had made me welfare oriented. Plight of Senior Citizens due to bad roads, long ques in Post Offices, rickshaws not running on meters etc in Mira Road prompted me to do something for Senior Citizens. Starting with representations and meeting authorities concerned and then taking advantage of RTI Act, 2005, I started with my Mission. On examining the provisions in detail in NPOP, 99, I started with concerned Central Ministry, first writing detailed representation to Minister by name followed by  RTI. Each Ministry was given the provisions pertaining to them and reasoning as to why they have to take action on their portions.

Q 2: What is the biggest achievement in this movement caused by you?

It brought awareness in all Concerned Central Ministries about NPOP, 99.
Except Nodal Ministry, other Ministries were not aware about action to be taken on most of the provisions. Each Ministry started taking action after much hesitation. Action taken by them was circulated to active senior citizens & their Associations and published in AISCCON NEWS from time to time. On persuing each para of NPOP, we got Nodal Ministry to prepare First Annual Plan, initiating action on National Commission, notifying Separate Beuro with staff strength etc. On requesting President, National Conference was held by Nodal Ministry and follow up action was also advised. Even on persuation, Planning Commission's Committee gave favourable  report for all our demands made to Planning Commission.

Q 3: Which is the happiest moment?

When I get detailed reply and when my article is published in AISCCON NEWS.

Q 4: Social Development is partnership of Senior Citizens and Government. Do you agree, if not why?

 Yes.

Q 5: What is your Message to new Office Bearers of Senior Citizens Organizations?

 Organize Awareness Campaigns for senior citizens of your area and go on representing to concerned Authorities about requirements of senior citizens and implementation of declared Policies of Central, State and Local Bodies.

Ensuring special attention to 12 crore ELDERS of the Country- the section of society that is at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress of the Country.

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

A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane.401 107.

 M. 09821732855.  E/Mail: mrmvruparelia@gmail.com

To                                              Date: 14-6-15.

Shri ARVIND PANAGARIYA, Vice Chairman,

NITI Ayog, Government of India, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Ensuring special attention to 12 crore ELDERS of the Country- the section of society that is at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress of the Country.

1.       We, 12 crore ELDERS of the Country are thankful to our Prime Minister to give the Country a "think-tank" that will provide Governments at the central and state levels with relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy to put an end to slow and tardy implementation of policy, by fostering better Inter-Ministry coordination and better Centre-State coordination, which is the major block to-day to implementation of declared Policies. We are eagerly awaiting that the NITI Aayog will effectively and swiftly monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and policies of the Government for Senior Citizens of the Country, eliminating poverty and giving chance to every Senior Citizen to live a life of dignity and self-respect by reddressal of inequalities based on gender bias, caste and economic disparities.

2.       Government of India with approval of Cabinet had issued National Policy, 99 for welfare of Senior Citizens giving Mandate & Policy Statement to all Public & Private Stake Holders 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 (Paras 12 to 29). Many of the provisions of this Policy are not yet implemented even after 17 years and revised Policy given by duly appointed Committee on 30-3-11 are not yet finalized even after 4 full years, meanwhile taking no action to implement either Policy, 99 nor as per recommended new policy! There are 4 Policies notified by Government for welfare of Senior Citizens viz - i) National Policy for Older Persons, 99; ii) Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, 2007, iii) Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP, 2008, now revised) and iv) National Programme for Health Care of Elders (NPHCE, 2010). Though, as per Allocation of Business Rules (AOB), Ministry of Social Justice is a nodal Ministry for Senior Citizens, overall management and monitoring etc. of the sectoral programmes in respect of Senior Citizens is the responsibility of the concerned Central Ministries, State Governments and Union territory Administrations. All Ministries at Center as well as State/UT level are required to be advised suitably, tightened up and made to take effective steps to implement their portions of declared Policies and improve the quality of life of Elders.

It would be observed from Progress Report of working of one year of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment that there is no mention of anything about senior citizens. It is high time that NITI Ayog goes deep in this pitiable position prevailing in this Ministry and give them relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of 4 policies to put an end to slow and tardy implementation by fostering better Inter-Ministry coordination and better Centre-State coordination. NITI AYOG may evaluate the implementation of programmes by this Ministry and focus on technology upgradation and capacity building of this Ministry. I enclose my 4 letters to Prime Minister for information and getting machinery in this Ministry right.
Reply to this letter may kindly be given in terms of para 96 of Office Manual.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Enclosures-Letters to PM dt 14-4-15, 17-5-14, 27-5-14 and 24-7-14 (Available in Blog)