Ms. Shalini Dewan (second from right), then Director UNIC, launches the HelpAge campaign along with Mr. M.M. Sabharwal (second from left), President Emeritus, Mr. Mathew Cherian (right), Chief Executive and Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications) from HelpAge India.
HelpAge India, started the new year with the launch of its new campaign on the elderly: "LED India, FED India TAUGHT India," a tribute to our forgotten leaders, at Delhi's PHD House this morning. Special guest Ms. Shalini Dewan, Director, United Nations Information Centre, along with Mr. M. M. Sabharwal, President Emeritus of HelpAge India, launched the campaign website www.helpageindia.org & collateral (brochure, posters, etc.) and felicitated veterans who had led exemplary lives, with HelpAge�s "Inspirational Achiever" award. The aim was to honor those elderly who have worked hard and achieved milestones within their own field and continue to so, living life with strength and dignity, the underlining motto of the campaign.
The chosen Inspirational Achievers were: 98 year old Zohra Segal, who due to physical frailty could not be there to accept the award personally, marathon man of India, Dr. (Wg. Cdr.) Ashis Roy who recently ran his 100th Marathon in Mumbai at the age of 78, 84 year old Mr. J.N. Chaudhry (Chairman, VIMHANS), 80 year old Keshav Malik (Poet & Arts scholar/ critic), 87 year old Chander Dhawan (Pictographer) who had traveled to Leh via road at the age of 82, 80 + Nirmala Narula (President, Alzheimer's & Related Disorders Society of India), 70 year old social worker and pioneer in her field Dr. Avtar Pennathur, (President & Founder Trustee, Harmit Trust & Home for Senior Citizens) and last but not the least 63 year old Chetan Chauhan (former cricketer / politician).
About the Campaign
The campaign is unique yet simple, it focuses on the lives of those elders who live among us and have given so much of their lives to help shape ours, whether the school teacher who taught us in our growing years, or our very own grandparents who built life in independent India from scratch and helped shape our destinies, elders who have contributed so much but are often ignored.
The aim is to bring their stories from the field, their needs into the forefront and help them live their later years with dignity. It also aims to work with elders, rather than just for them, giving them a sense of empowerment, inclusion and the power to demand what's rightfully theirs.
"We have espoused the cause of the poor and disadvantaged elderly for over thirty years, but as the dimensions of the problem change, we will need to do it in solidarity with the elderly themselves," said Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications), HelpAge India.
HelpAge is working with Senior Citizens Associations as part of its campaign urging decision makers for faster implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons and the Parents Maintenance Bill. As per the National Policy on Older Persons the elderly constitute 12 % of the electorate. The Policy visualizes that the State will extend support for financial security, health care, shelter, welfare and other needs of older persons, provide protection against abuse and exploitation, make available opportunities for development of the potential of older persons, seek their participation, and provide services so that they can improve the quality of their lives.
As a result of constant lobbying in various states by HelpAge hand in hand with Senior Citizen Associations, the Government in various states is initiating action for speedy formulation/implementation of State Policies on Older Persons and implementation of the Maintenance & Welfare Act.
Through this campaign HelpAge hopes that the "Voice of the Elder" will be heard and faster action taken by decision/ policy makers to improve their quality of life.
Awarding of Inspirational Achievers
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Click on Achievers name below to know more:
