World Elders Day 2008: Message by UN Secretary General

Below is Text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the International Day of Older Persons, to be observed on 1 October 2008:

The theme of this year’s International Day of Older Persons, “Rights of Older Persons”, is especially apt in this year in which we mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Promoting the independence, participation and dignity of older persons has long been on the agenda of the United Nations and is central to implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. In adopting that Plan six years ago at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, United Nations Member States committed “to eliminating all forms of discrimination, including age discrimination”. They recognized “that persons, as they age, should enjoy a life of fulfilment, health, security and active participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life of their societies”. And they determined “to enhance the recognition of the dignity of older persons and to eliminate all forms of neglect, abuse and violence”.

Despite this commitment, in many parts of the world, the rights of older persons are violated every day. Older persons often face age discrimination at a workplace. In social environments, they may experience a lack of recognition and respect. They may be deprived of full inclusion and participation in social, economic, cultural and political affairs. Most disturbingly, in many countries, incidences of neglect, abuse and violence against older persons are not at all rare or isolated events.

Acknowledging the crucial role that older persons play in society is an important pillar of the Madrid Plan of Action. Earlier this year, the first review and appraisal of the Plan made abundantly clear that much more needs to be done at the national level to support older persons, promote their income security and social protection, and ensure quality health care, as well as the provision of long-term care services. To make this possible, national ageing-specific policies must be improved substantially, and the concerns of older persons mainstreamed into a wider policy framework.

This International Day is an opportunity to stimulate discussion on promoting the rights of older persons and strengthen partnerships aimed at securing their full participation in society. Let us all redouble our efforts to realize the rights of older persons, and make the dream of a society for all ages a reality.

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Battling for the blind

IT companies in western India have taken several unique initiatives to help the visually challenged secure jobs. These include the launch of a new technology that reads out content on internet and a voluntary organisation run by IBM employees to impart technical and communication skills to the blind.

For 31-year-old Jalinder Shelgaonkar, who has done his post-graduation in Economics, the road to professional achievement suddenly turned narrow and clogged.

That's because of his visual impairment that cut out almost all the options that he could have tapped in any sector.

"I was beginning to feel that my education would eventually turn out to be a waste of time and effort. I simply couldn't get a job," he says.

That's when Blind and Blue, an initiative taken by employees of IBM in Pune, came to his rescue. Volunteers of this informal organisation taught Jalinder the basic skills of working in a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre and he is now all set to jump-start his career.

"I was also taught personality development and that helped boost my self-confidence," he states.

Similar is the case of 24-year-old M Dhananjay who, because of his visual impairment, had never dreamt that he would one day find a job with an established BPO.

Confidence building

"I was taught computer operating skills that include Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word and Excel. I have also become proficient at spoken English and I know now how to handle telephone conversations," he says.

Elaborating on this project, Darshak Shah, a system software engineer with IBM, says, "We are working in collaboration with the Poona Blind Men's Association and the objective is to enable visually challenged youngsters to find jobs in the mainstream sector and become financially independent”.

So far, 45 such students have been trained, many of whom will start working with IBM's BPO Daksh. "The classes are held daily over a period of three months and the emphasis is on imparting technical, communication and social skills.

The project is managed by qualified professional volunteers who dedicate about two hours every week to teaching," informs Abhishek Malu, an application programmer and a volunteer of Blind and Blue.

Making web access easy

Meanwhile, in an effort to make the internet accessible to the visually impaired, a Pune-based IT company has introduced a technology that will read out content on internet or email on a toll free number.

While still in its early stage, the technology is able to offer the information in English but will soon include other languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali and Urdu. The technology has been developed by US-based netECHO and Pune-based Knowaysys Technologies has undertaken the bid to implement it.

Says Sundeep Bedi, Chief Executive Officer, Knowaysys Technologies: "We are in talks with a number of NGOs and also with the government of India to make the customer number toll free across the country so that this service will be accessible to the needy. The company is planning to have 1.80 lakh users in the next 18 months”.

Elaborating on how it will work, Bedi explains: "The person has to call the number and on verbal instructions, can surf the internet. To access email the person has to say the word 'email' so that the machine can open the respective account and read out the content of each email. Similarly, a person will be able to listen to news, reviews and articles that have been posted on the internet."

Further, the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown has released a set of 12 CDs for blind students studying in the tenth standard. These CDs contain the syllabus for all the subjects.

"The work for the CDs began last year. Members of the club have read out the books of tenth standard and recorded the entire content. The best part is that this is not limited to only the textbooks but also includes the guides for each of the subjects," informs Jitu Mehta, President of the club.


These CDs have been sponsored by the club's members and will be distributed free to blind students as also to schools for the blind.


Source: http://southasia.oneworld.net/ictsfordevelopment/battling-for-the-blind

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Computer Education for Senior Citizens: 2nd Batch

A joint project by Silver Inning Foundation and Sterlite Foundation

Background:

Retirement is mandatory at a certain age for those who are in employment and voluntary for the self-employed. Whether it is at 50, 58, 60 or 65, it brings some sudden changes and harsh adjustments for which seniors are little prepared. Suddenly they find themselves without work, without contact with their co-workers and without any goal to look forward to. Though computers are a necessity for communicating with their children residing abroad the seniors find it difficult to overcome this fear though technology has never been restricted to a particular age group or strata of society.

Training in computers by Sterlite Foundation:

Sterlite Foundation has been educating and training students (from lower middle class families) in computers since more than 15 years. The aim has been to make technology available to all. In July 2008 Silver Inning Foundation- an organization dedicated for the welfare of senior citizens suggested to associate with Sterlite and initiate classes for basic in computers for senior citizens. Though Sterlite always had a handful of seniors being trained at the centres, holding separate batches for the seniors was the first. It is a well know fact that seniors have difficulty in retaining details and teaching a batch of seniors is a challenge which Sterlite was ready to take up.

After a lot of brain storming, the objectives of these classes were determined to be training seniors in computers (feared by many seniors), helping them develop a liking and make them comfortable with technology, promote voluntary work (to utilize their time) and learning at the centres after the training.

With the clarity of the objectives, a meeting was held with the seniors and the format explained to them. The method of teaching was discussed with the faculties and the teaching would be slower than the other batches with details being written down constantly on the black board. The Instructor Guide Lines (prepared by the academics department in Sterlite) was followed and content books were provided to the seniors. 50 seniors joined the course which began on 14^th July 2008. During the basic course the seniors were taught to work on MS- paint, MS- word, MS- excel, MS- power point and internet.

12 NEW CENTERS TO TRAIN SENIOR CITIZENS IN MUMBAI, INDIA

Sharing and feedback:

During the sharing of their experiences the seniors felt that the course has helped them overcome their fear of touching a computer and operating it. Moreover they have access to a set of faculties, trainers and managers who are willing to support them at any time of difficulty. The seniors are given an opportunity to come back to the Sterlite Training centre and volunteer by helping out at the centre and simultaneously learning. We want to implement the idea “TEACH AND LEARN”.

Invite:

To Enroll for Next batch start date of 4^th November. Till then admissions are open for seniors aged above 50 years.

You could contact us on:

Sterlite Foundation- 22826005

Silver Inning Foundation- 9987104233

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

A marketplace for creations of the disabled

Disability need not stop anyone from work and economic freedom. Perfumed candles, microwaveproof leaf plates, trendy clothes and accessories, all these and more are being made by people with autism, multiple disabilities and are sold in obscure locations across the country.

Now these products will carry a brand name and will be knit together as a giant marketing corporation with markets in India and abroad.

The process began this week with the former President APJ Abdul Kalam launching the Association for Rehabilitation under National Trust Initiative in Marketing (ARUNIM), an autonomous body under the National Trust, for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. The body will be run under the Ministry for social Justice and Empowerment.

ARUNIM will be the official salesman for the products and services of the disabled as well as a market place for them to sell their wares.

This will also be a meeting point for companies that wish to work for the disabled as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

ARUNIM, with a corpus of Rs 1 crore, is already on the move. Its chairperson Sminu Jindal, who also heads Jindal Saw and an NGO Swayam, says she will soon appoint a researcher or consultant to identify the available products with the 800 NGO members of the National Trust. These will now naturally become members of ARUNIM making it a huge cooperative network right from the beginning.

“The research is needed to understand to prioritise the prouduct launhes. The second agenda before ARUNIM is to get more corporations into the effort. So many companies are doing their bit for the disabled but the impact gets dissipated as there is no synergising agent,” she says.

We will be totally market driven and will guide many present manufacturers to migrate from one product to another, which has a beeter chance of success. It would mean standardisation and training people in manufacturing successful products. The inclusion of products from 800 NGOs does not close ARUNIM to others, she says.

“We may have a set of 400 or just 20 products. In about a year, our first product will be in the market under our brand name,” she adds.

While the branding and marketing plans to help those with multiple disabilities and conditions like autism, ARUNIM may also be able to support people with temporarily disabled bodies, like from an accident or disease, says the wheelchair borne Jindal who lost her legs in a road accident. She gives full credit to the National Trust chairperson Poonam Natarajan for the effort.”It is Natarajan’s vision which has led to the birth of ARUNIM,” she says.

Natarajan is very clear about objectives. The point is that the disabled also need to earn money. “They are earning now but not enough,” says Natarajan.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=335342&chkFlg=

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Need for a safety net

By HENDI LINGIAH

The percentage of persons aged above 60 in India has been rising steadily over the last decades. In fact, in 2001, its proportion exceeded 7.5 per cent, defining a country as an “ageing country” according to the U.N. definition and is exp ected to reach 8.9 per cent in 2016. But the increase of life expectancy goes with the increase of age-related diseases and developing countries are not spared. The number of people above the age of 60, suffering and searching for care, domiciliary services, specific treatments and specific answers to their needs will increase. Consecutively, the lack of specific structures would lead to discontent. Hence the need to implement a sound public health policy in the field of senior care.

Today, it is estimated that more than 50 per cent of people with Alzheimer’s Disease live in developing countries. Meanwhile, when developed countries have more care alternatives available for a less number of elderly people, they are also trying to improve the current public health system with the aim of anticipating their growing ageing population.

My interest in Alzheimer’s Disease started when I joined an NGO established in the field of senior citizen’s welfare, well known at that time for opening a township for retired people wishing to live an autonomous and still active retreat. This township included a small structure devoted to elderly people affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. It was a nice residential set-up of eight comfortable rooms with bathroom and one common activity room; it was located in a rural part of India. That premise needed to be developed and enhanced; routine, assessments and residents’ health care, even material aspects, had to be looked after.

Thoughtful set-up

We started working with doctors and psychiatrists and in cooperation with them and the team we did the follow-up of patients, the interviews with families, the local staff supervisions… It was an interesting professional experience; it broadened my mind and my interest in the field of ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease and implementing a psycho-social care approach in a 24x7 small residential setting for patients suffering from AD. But above all, it was about making this place a comfortable and enjoyable home for the frail elderly, maintaining as long as possible their abilities and a community life.

Back in France, I’ve stayed connected with the senior care field in India. These days, it seems to me that ageing and care for the elderly have really become an issue for the people and the institutions of the country. For instance, the training provided by the National Institute of Social Defence and supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment shows a commitment from the government to face that challenge. Hopefully, with the joint effort of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the government will maintain a constant pace, be vigilant to elder abuse, set-up official guidelines and implement strict standards in the care of elderly people.

A necessity

Properly planning and the implementation of a public health policy regarding support for the elderly has today become a necessity: the recognition of the early symptoms of dementia, patterns of interventions, research on the diseases, drug and non-drug therapies, infrastructures, professional practices, home caregivers trainings…

This is the challenge for developing countries, if they want to avoid, in the coming years, the increase in the number of sick elderly persons and severe cases due to insufficient early detection and solutions provided at an affordable cost.

The author is an Consultant and Advisior for Silver Inning Foundation and ARDSI member and a clinical psychologist in France.

Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2008/09/21/stories/2008092150170600.htm


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers

Palliative Care department of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mira Road,Mumbai ,India Announces TWO days Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers .

1. This course is for those people who want to help suffering people in society & have a compassionate heart but lack the proper training this course will equip you with the proper training.

2. The modules of course are as follows.

• Holistic care & hospice movement.
• Communicating with caregivers.
• Advanced directives & living will.
• Spiritual pain in terminally ill patient .
• Stages of grief in a terminally ill patient.
• Basic knowledge of all end. stage terminal diseases.
• practical things which a volunteer can do to help .
• experiencing a terminal illness.
• Communicating with one who is dying.
• Basics of pain management .
• complementary (non. medical ) therapies for pain management.
• managing uncomfortable symptoms of patients.
• Basics of grief counseling.
• How to protect oneself when visiting such patients.

3. The course will be held at Bhaktivedanta Hospital Auditorium on 4th Oct Saturday 4.30 pm to 9 pm & 5th Oct. Sunday 11am to 5pm.

4. The course fee is Rs.150 which includes charges for course material & food.

5. Anybody can attend this course.

6.A basic exam will be held after that those who pass will be awarded a certificate.

For further details pls contact:

Dr.Avnish Pandey

Department of Palliative Care,

Bhaktivedanta Hospital

Mira Road.

Phone: 2945 2466

Mobile: 9321996870

Fax: 022 284598885

Email: avnish.rns@gmail.com

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

World Alzheimer's Awareness Week 2008 – Mumbai: Programme Report

On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21st September 2008 ‘Silver Inning Foundation’ in association with ‘ARDSI Greater Mumbai Support Group’ marked the event by hosting Multidimensional programmes at various locations and for People from different segment – Senior Citizens, Students, Para Medical and Police in Mumbai.The programme was very well received and was huge success. Around 600 people attended this programme and was covered by National Media.


Following are the details of the programme:
Mon 15th: “Burden of Love” film screened , Facilitation of Care Givers and Memory Checkup at Harmony Center, Girgaum . Anchor Ms.Amruta Lovekar. Chief Guest: Film Director – Priti Chandriani. 96 Senior Citizens Participated.

Tue 16th - Sensitizing Programme for Para Medical professional at Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle . Anchor Prof Parul Kibliwala –– Chief Guest : Sneha Vaidya – Nursing Superintendent - 110 Nurse participated.

Wed 17th – Online Petition – Global Charter hosted at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sif2008/petition.html

Thu 18th – WHO Film “Living With Alzhemers” screened and Talk on Dementia for Students at S.V.T. College of Home Science – SNDT, Santacruz (W). Anchor Prof.Parul Kibliwala . Chief Guest Dr.Meena Godhia ,Principal SVT College . Also present Dr.Suja Koshi, Dr. Khorshed Mistry. 160 Students Participated.

Sat 20th – Sensitizing programme for Mumbai Police Elder Helpline at Mumbai Police HO. Anchor Amruta Lovekar. Chief Guest: DCP –Vijay Sing Jhadhav . Also Present PSI Patel, PSI Patil. 45 Police from Elder Helpline participated.

Sat 20th - “Burden of Love” film screened and Q & A at H.E.L.P. Library, Fort. Anchor Sailesh Mishra – 40 Senior Citizens participated.

Sun 21th – World Alzheimer’s Day : “Burden of Love” film screened , Talk on Dementia and Memory Checkup at “Abhi to Main Jawan Hoon’’ – Senior Citizen Club, Children’s Academy School , Kandivali . Anchor Prof.Sangeeta Rao. Chief Guest: Premsagar Relli ,Editor of ‘Happy Old Age’ – 150 Seniors citizens participated.

This programme was organized in association with Alzheimer's & Related Disorder Society of India (ARDSI)–Mumbai Chapter , Harmony, H.E.L.P. Library , The Family Welfare Agency, Shree Manav Seva Sangh, Abhi to Main Jawan Hoon, S.V.T. College, FESCOM and AISCCON.


The Events was covered by National Media:

Electronic:
1.NDTV Urban Planet - 18th Sep – Evening
2.NDTV English News - 21st Sep - 7am to 9 am & 10 pm.
3.DD National News - Sahyadri (Marathi)- 21st Sep 9.45pm

Print:
1.DNA - west Coast
2.Hindustan Times
3.DNA Main


On behalf of ARDSI-Mumbai, ‘ARDSI Greater Mumbai Support Group’ and Silver Inning Foundation , I would like to Thank you and all the supporting Organisation for making WAD 2008 Mumbai a great Success.

Thanks.
Sailesh Mishra
Programme Coordinator WAD 2008 / Founder President, Silver Inning Foundation



Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

National Conference on Dementia & Alzheimer's Care 2008: Register to Attend

Dementia Care & Research: A Roadmap for India

Dementia is a global problem and is expected to reach epidemic proportion in Asia in the next decade. Compared to many other countries, India is yet to go a long way in providing adequate care and support to persons suffering from dementia. It’s time for immediate action by all of us – the public, medical professionals, service providers and policy makers to join hands in finding tangible solutions to deal with this emerging epidemic. The conference is expected to evolve a roadmap for dementia care and research in India.

Date: 27 - 28 Sept 2008

Register here: http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Registration_Details.aspx

Venue:
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore
India


Programme list: http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Programme.aspx


Contact:
Conference Secretariat: ARDSI – Bangalore Chapter C/o Nightingales Medical Trust
337, 2nd Cross, 1st Block, R T Nagar, Bangalore – 560032
Ph: 91 80 23548444/555 Fax: 91 80 23548999
Email: events@dementiabangalore.com
Website: http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Home_8AnnualMeet.aspx




Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS FOR ELDERLY:Submit Proposals

Department of Science & Technology

Ministry of Science & Technology

Government of India

TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS FOR ELDERLY (TIE)

Call for R&D and Technology Development Proposals

Department of Science & Technology (DST) has started a new and focused initiative on S&T interventions for benefit of elderly population in the country through its Science and Society Division. DST would like to support R&D proposals on conceptualization, research and development for finding technological solutions to ameliorate problems faced by the elderly population and to improve their quality of life. The possible interventions would include design and development of enabling devices, designs of homes, use of ICT in networking, recreation and entertainment, and health and nutritious food. Some projects already funded by DST under this programme relate to development of devices, launching a portal capturing technologies for elders and related matters, instituting fellowships at master’s level to attract young minds to work on special designs for elderly.

In addition to the above themes, DST would welcome any other novel/innovative idea/concept related to enablement of elderly people. Projects can be undertaken by academic / R&D institutions in collaboration with NGOs or industry, wherever feasible. The proposals should include clearly defined statement of the problem based on identified needs and state-of-the-art survey, objectives focusing on the proposed solution, project deliverables, market potential and well defined tie up with professional agencies for development/testing/verification/adaptation trials of technologies. Networked projects involving a number of agencies will be welcome.

Project proposals (10 hard copies & 1 soft copy) can be submitted in the prescribed format available on the website www.scienceandsociety-dst.org to the address mentioned below. The envelope should mention on top "PROPOSAL UNDER TIE-PROGRAMME”. The proposals can be submitted throughout the year. However, proposals received up to 30.09.2008 can be considered for evaluation in the next PAMC meeting.

Head, Science & Society Division, Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi–110016 (Tel: 011-26590241, Telefax: 011-26964793. E.mail: raghav@nic.in

OR

vikasc.goyal@nic.in

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

ABUSE of Senior Citizen in ''Singh is King'' Movie - Need to take action

Dear Friends,We at Silver Inning Foundation have sent this Notice to the following people for use of Abusive language against Senior Citizens in the Film- ''Singh is King''.We request you all to write similar letter and raise your objection.

On letter head of Silver Inning Foundation

Date: 12^th September 2008

To,

Vipul Shah

(Producer)

303, Patel Industrial Estate,

B/40, New Link Road,

Andheri W, Mumbai-53

Anees Bazmee

(Director)

1502, Deep Towers,,

Shantivan,

Oshiwara, Andheri W, Mumbai- 53

Ranvir Shorey

(Actor)

101, L-1/A, Oakland Park,

Yamuna Nagar,

Oshiwara, Andheri W

Mumbai-53

Dear Sir,

Sub: Use of Foul and Abusive Language against Senior Citizens

Ref: Your film “Singh is King’’

Greetings from Silver Inning Foundation and compliments on the success of ‘Singh is King’! We are a registered NGO working for the cause of Senior Citizens.

This is with reference to three dialogues in the film by the character played by Mr. Ranvir Shorey. When an elderly person breaks a juice container, this character called Punit asks Kirron Kher to ‘remove the Senior Citizen from the job’. He adds that ‘had this senior citizen been in Government service, he would have been made to retire thrice’.

There is one more dialogue which addresses the senior citizen as ‘Bloody Senior Citizen’. This remark is not acceptable. This remark is uncivilized and unethical.

These particular remarks are distasteful and present senior citizens in a bad light. This is verbal abuse on Senior Citizens. The Senior citizens don’t need to be treated in this disgraceful way, they are our Elders; they are Parents of some one. This promotes hatred among particular group of people. Every Individual has right to work, right to be respected and treated in dignified way. Your film is promoting discrimination and foul language against our Elders.

This movie, considering that it is such a huge success, will influence and reinforce stereotypes that already exist in society regarding Senior Citizens. Senior citizens (term in literature on ageing and accepted term world over is older adults) are individuals first and the dialogues endorse what we call ‘ageism’ which is a systematic process of creating stereotypes and discrimination against people on the basis of age.

Films they say are a mirror of society but they are also a powerful medium to create perceptions on impressionable minds or buttress existing attitudes in society. Films are mass media and reaches out to millions of people and will influence and make people believe and behave in particular manner. You and Film fraternity should be responsible in your behavior towards Senior Citizens and we won’t allow this kind of reference to our Elders.

We sincerely believe that society at different levels needs to challenge and fight against ageist attitudes so that older adults can claim their legitimate place in society.

As per our knowledge, these dialogues do not in any way add or contribute to the main content of the film.

Hence we earnestly exhort you to immediately remove the dialogues that disparage older adults and their individuality and seek Public Apology for showing Senior Citizens in bad light. You are requested to take necessary action within 15 days from the date of issue of this letter or else we will seek legal action against you and the Film.

As NGO working for Senior Citizens we have moral responsibility to raise our objection and fight for ill treatment and abuse of Senior Citizens.

Hope you will in future show respect to our Elders and together we can contribute in creating an elder-friendly world where older adults can spend their twilight years with dignity and self-respect.

Thanking you.

Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra

Founder President

Silver Innings Foundation

CC TO:

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Shastri Bhawan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi - 110 001

India

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Shastri Bhawan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi - 110 001

India

Police Commissioner

Office of the Commissioner of Police,

Opp. Crawford Market.,

D.N.Road., Mumbai-1

All Media Houses

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Prof. Ashis Nandy is Silver Personality of the Month - September 2008

Silver Innings announce Silver Personality of Sep 2008:Prof. Ashis Nandy – Seventies still making positive impact.

Ashis Nandy is a political psychologist and sociologist of science who has worked on cultures of knowledge, visions, and dialogue of civilizations. At present he is Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for the Study of Developing Societies and Chairperson of the Committee for Cultural Choices and Global Futures, both located in Delhi.

Professor Nandy is an intellectual who identifies and explores numerous and diverse problems. He has written extensively in last two decades. His much discussed book titled ‘The Intimate Enemy: Loss and Recovery of Self Under Colonialism’, which was published in 1983 by the Oxford University Press, India talked about the psychological problems posed at a personal level by colonialism, for both colonizer and colonized. Nandy argues that the understanding of self is intertwined with those of race, class, and religion under colonialism, and that the Gandhian movement can be understood in part as an attempt to transcend a strong tendency of educated Indians to articulate political striving for independence in European terms. Through his prolific writing and other activities supported by his belief in non-violence, Professor Nandy has offered penetrating analysis from different angles of a wide range of problems such as political disputes and racial conflicts, and has made suggestions about how human beings can exist together, and together globally, irrespective of national boundaries.

He was recently involved in a controversy with the Government of Gujarat for writing an inflamatory article, but the Supreme Court restrained the government from arresting him.

He has also produced a truly enormous number of articles and guest lectures. Ashis Nandy is a major world thinker with unusual and stimulating perspectives on many topics and making Positive impact in his seventies.

Read More : http://www.silverinnings.com/Silver%20Personality%20of%20the%20month.html

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Few takers for reverse mortgage scheme in India

Only 2,000 senior citizens across the country have received loans against their houses under the reverse mortgage scheme that has been introduced by various banks this year. Among the 18 banks and two housing finance companies offering the scheme, State Bank of India alone has extended a majority of the 1,900 loans.

The National Housing Bank (NHB), which developed the scheme that is meant for people aged above 55 years, feels that the poor show is due to the lack of awareness among senior citizens, who number stands at 76 million according to the 2001 census data, and lack of enthusiasm on the part of the banks.

Hence, NHB is now signing agreements with NGOs and corporate foundations to spread the word about the unique mortgage programme under which a couple can continue to live in the house while getting the market value of the house minus ten per cent. NHB on Tuesday signed an memorandum of cooperation with Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group’s social outfit, Harmony, to work with the bank to popularise the programme.

S Sridhar, chairman and managing director, NHB said, “The bank is also nudging insurance firms to start an insurance package for people who have outlived the 20-year coverage under the reverse mortgage scheme.

“The scheme does not compel anyone to part with their house,” Sridhar adds. If they want to repay the loan amount, they get the house back. Even heirs can do that. They can resell the property and profit later, he said.

Once a couple takes this option, they can either get the entire money for their house in instalments or are eligible to get a lumpsum up to a total of Rs 15 lakh. However, this can be given only on medical grounds, says Sridhar. Meanwhile, the couple can continue to reside in the house.

The maximum instalment can go up to Rs 50,000 a month and the valuation of the property is done by the beneficiary himself.

Bankers, who were inundated with queries from senior citizen at forums, said that if the property is in the name of the wife and she dies early, the husband continues to live there till he dies.

He said that the eligibility starts at 55 for women and 60 for men. State Bank of India General Manager Sharad Sharma says, “The depreciation in the value of the property is a risk against which the banks have no cover.”

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=333911

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Indian 'Women's Reservation Bill possible only after 2009 polls'

The Women's Reservation Bill would become a reality only after the 2009 general elections, a parliamentary committee head said.

'Though all the major political parties are keen to introduce the Women's Reservation Bill, it would become a reality only after the 2009 general elections because lot of formalities have to be completed before its implementation,' said E.M.S. Sudarsana Natchiappan, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievance, Law and Justice.

Women's reservation, once implemented, would be 'a great achievement towards women liberalisation,' Natchiappan added.

The parliamentary committee was here on a two-day visit to discuss the issue of women's reservation and review the implementation of Right to Information in various organisations, particularly in the public sector.

Natchiappan said the committee was making efforts to evolve consensus on the issue of women reservation and a majority of parties were ready to implement the bill with certain amendments for OBC and minorities.

He said he had met representatives of various parties and discussed the stand of the state government for the 108th Amendment Bill-2008 popularly known as the 'Women Reservation Bill'.

'Members of the Committee also visited BHEL, GAIL, Northern Coal India Ltd, and State Bank of Indore to review the implementation of Right to Information Act in these organisations and we were satisfied,' he said.

'We have, however, told all the organisations not to reject any application seeking any information and update their websites regularly on a day-to-day basis so that more people are able to access information,' he added.

The Committee members also held discussions with the state chief secretary, political parties, representatives of state government, organisations and individuals on the Women's Reservation Bill.

Source: http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20080911/143224.htm

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

World Elders Day 2008

UMANG -Senior's Talent Show- World Elders Day 2008,Mumbai,India

"Ageing is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength"

Silver Inning Foundation an dedicated organisation for Elders, Celebrates its 1st World Elders Day on 1st Oct 2008.

To recognise the Talent and Potential in our Elders we are Happy to inform you that we would hold - UMANG - A Senior's Stage Talent Show on 1st Oct 2008 at Santacruz - West, Mumbai,India.

UMNAG will give Platform to all those Seniors who have hidden Talent in them or who would like to Perform.

So we request all those Talented Seniors who are above 55 yrs to enroll for Talent Show. This is not an competition but a Show to reveal your talent. All the Participation will get Certificate of Appreciation. There are No Prizes.

Types of Performance eligible for Entries:

One act Play

Singing

Music performance – Solo or in group of Maximum 4 people

Dance - Solo

Street Play – Maximum 4 people

Mimicry

Drama - maximum with 4 people

Max entry allowed:

A person can have only one act.

Total 10 entries will be accepted. That means there will be total of 10 act only.

Duration for each act:

Maximum 8 Minutes

Last Date for Entries: 25th Sep 2008

Venue:

Gala Foundation Community Hall Center

Hall no - 2,

1st Floor,

Near Sanatcruz Library

Santacruz – West

Mumbai

Event Date:

Wed 1st Oct 2008

Time of Event:

4pm to 6 pm

Total Seating capacity:

150

Contact:

Amruta Lovekar - Director, Programme and Services

amruta76@yahoo.com and info@silverinnings.com

Tel: 9833136536

So Hurry and enroll to show your talent.

PS: Pls note in case of more then 10 entries, the selection committee of Silver Inning Foundation will have all the rights to select Best 10 for performance. The selection committee will have final say on selection.

--
Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
Founder - Silver Innings,A dedicated Website for Elders and their Family Members

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Religion ,Alzheimer's and My Dad

My dad was a very spiritual, religious man. I never thought that he'd forget about something that he had such great love for all his life. More and more I am getting frustrated toward this horrible disease called Alzheimer's.

My dad was born and raised in the LDS religion. He was a Bishop during my teenage years. I remember so many people counting on him for his council during those years. He was such a wonderful leader and loved by many. Still loved by many even though he doesn't have communication much with anyone anymore, I know they still think about him and pray for him. Alzheimer's has stripped his memory of something that he lived and breathed. His religious beliefs. He doesn't talk about it anymore nor do I believe that he even knows what church he belongs to. It's unfortunate that he doesn't get to go to church much since my mom has such a hard time getting around. He relies on her to take care of him. He needs to go to church and it hit me big this past Sunday. I was sitting at his kitchen table talking with him briefly. Actually, it was quiet at the table until he asked me how life was over on my end. I am not sure if he even knows much about my life anymore. He knows me and thats about all he remembers. So, I answered him by saying everything was great and I had a great day at church. He looked at me with a strange look in his face and he asked "what church do you belong to"? My heart broke at that moment.

I am convinced that Alzheimer's not only takes your mind but it disconnects you from your soul. It's evil.

I too was born and raised in the LDS church with parents who have a strong love for Christ. They taught us why we are here on this earth and what we need to do to return to our heavenly home. Before my dad suffered with memory loss, there is no doubt that he knew what my religious beliefs were and what church I belong to. He taught me so much about what I believe today. So, I was so shocked when he looked at me so clueless and asked me that heart breaking question.

I just want my dad back. When will they ever find a cure for Alzheimer's?


Well, at least I can say this one thing, his disease is only temporal. I am grateful that I get to be with him on the other side someday. It will be an environment of perfection, free from Alzheimer's. Then I can say, I have my dad back.....and it will be forever.


Posted by Krista

Source: http://www.alzheimersteam.com/2008/09/religion-and-alzheimers.html



Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.