Sailesh Mishra Creating an Elder Friendly India

Watch, listen and learn

Sailesh Mishra a Social Entrepreneur, Mentor and the Founder of Silver Innings Group a community dedicated to Senior Citizens in India joins Lori La Bey on Alzheimer's Speaks Radio. Silver Innings has worked towards creating an Elder Friendly World making aging a positive and rewarding experience. Sailesh has also published a Dementia Self Help book called 'Remember ME- You Me and Dementia'.

Also Please like and share this uplifting information here : https://alzheimersspeaks.wordpress.com/2020/06/18/sailesh-mishra-creating-an-elder-friendly-india/



Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio – shifting dementia care from crisis to comfort around the world one episode at a time by raising all voices and delivering sounds news, not just sound bites since 2011.





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 Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 - #StandWithOlderPersons #PurpleDotChallenge

We #StandWithOlderPersons and accept #PurpleDotChallenge to raise Awareness and Prevention of Elder Abuse.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

INPEA wants social media users to post a picture of a #PurpleDot on their palm or any other place or paper and express their thoughts about Elder Abuse, Awareness, Stigma and Prevention.

INPEA has created a separate hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons to take a strong stand on Elders issues. Accept the Purple Dot Challenge and post it on your social media handles with hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons and #PurpleDotChallange

So friends let’s #StandWithOlderPersons and send your Purple dot challenge pictures with your thoughts on our / post social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

This Challenge is open from 1st June to 30th June.

We will also post your support on our all social media accounts.

You can also forward us your pictures through E-mail at silverinnings@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 91+ 9987104233

Creative Support by Web Solutions India.

#WEAAD #WEAAD2020 #SILVERINNINGS #ELDERABUSE #INPEA 

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

UMANG 2019 - Rediscovering Elderhood

UMANG 2019 - A Unique Stage Talent Show for Senior Citizens 

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

Rotary DG HARJIT SINGH TALWAR, AV CHAIRS Dr. MONA SHAH & RAMAESH NARAYAN 

12th UMANG - A Unique and India’s Largest Senior Citizens Stage Talent Show was held on Saturday Nov 30th 2019 from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Birla Matoshree Sabhagriha, New Marine Lines, Mumbai, Presented by Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point, Rotaract Club of K C and Hinduja College, Inner Wheel Club of Mumbai Nariman point, Rotary Club of Mumbai Lower Parel in association with Silver Inning Foundation, NGO working with Senior Citizens.

Special Guest Usha Soman - Milind Soman's mother giving her message 

UMANG 2019 is India’s largest and Mumbai’s first of its kind programme, FREE of charge Event for 50+ and Senior Citizens that gives the elders / 50 plus an opportunity to showcase their stage talent. The programme seeks to provide them with a platform to display their talents. This is not a competition – there are no prizes for being the best – but it is a forum to encourage them to demonstrate their hidden talent. ‘UMANG’ a Unique Talent show of Senior Citizens is being organized by Silver Inning Foundation since 2008.

USP about this unique event was that Participant and Audience did not belong to any particular organization or group, this program was open to common 50 plus person as an Individual or from any organization. People from different part of Mumbai from Virar, Thane, Navi Mumbai to South Mumbai came to witness and perform the ageless talent.

Last year 2018 there were 24 Act and around 115 Senior Citizens from age 50 to 79 from different parts of Mumbai and different organizations participated. Around 1000 Senior Citizens and their family members participated in the mega event.

This year UMANG 2019 hosted 26 Different Performance by 50 plus age group people  either in solo, duet or group, the performance included Dance and Songs – Classical, Folk, Bollywood, Fusion;  Skit, Mono Act etc. Total approx number of participant this year were 143 and average age group was 50 to 92 years. First time Resident of Elder Home (Old age Home) also performed and participated from  J J Dharamshala, Mumbai central. 

The entire participant was given Certificate and Every Act / Group was given a Trophy.

Around 1100 people, mostly Senior Citizens attended and Youths witness the unique program. This year, there was 15 Special Prizes for Audience and Spot Prizes too, sponsored by HEAL and OPEN YOURS ARMS. All were also served refreshment.    

Around 60 Youth Volunteers from Rotaract Club of K C and Hinduja College and Bhaktivedtanta Hospital put in hard work to make this program huge success. 

To support our Unique initiative Usha Soman 80 years age (Milind Soman’s  Mother ) and Anshuman Malhotra Young Bollywood actor blessed the event as special guest for UMANG 2019. Anshuman Malhotra is young upcoming actor, known for Haider (2014), Hum chaar (2019) and Fixerr (2019), Split Villa XI, The Final Call, Class of 2017, just released - Love Sleep Repeat and many webseries.
First time a group of 50 Runners lead by Surjit Kaur (age 70) , Suju George (age 65) and Neelima Kale (62) participated in 1st ever ‘SILVER Innings Run’ from Bandra Flyover to venue Biral Matoshree 5am to 8. 30am to Promote and Support Silver Innings and Sailesh Mishra’s causes of Senior Citizens and Active Ageing.

Actor Anshuman Malhotra happy at the event 

 Says Sailesh Mishra Founder of Silver Inning Foundation, “We organize UMANG, a talent show for seniors every year since 2008. Unlike other talent shows, there are no prizes for winning the top three positions. Everybody is a winner. It is amazing to see the level of enthusiasm among seniors to perform on the stage”. We give Certificate to all Participant and Trophy to all group and Individual act. There is also evidence that Music and Dance helps in well being for all ages and is good for Ageing Gracefully.

Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point, President Rtn. Jagdish Bhai Tanna say’s “this noble initiative for our elderly is close to Our heart. Since 2010 UMANG in association with Silver Innings, this has been one of the most sought after event for our senior citizens, which they await every year. We have been delighted with growing enthusiasm, innovation and impact this event has created in heart & mind of our elderly. We look forward for continuing our support for this wonderful cause and would encourage many more to join to ensure we take this event to higher levels”.


The event highlight was presence of Rotary DISTRICT GOVERNOR – HARJIT SINGH TALWAR, AV CHAIRS NON MEDICAL - DR. MONA SHAH & RAMESH NARAYAN, ROTARY CLUB OF MUMBAI NARIMAN POINT PRESIDENT JAGDISH TANNA, Rtn. VIPUL SHAH and Team ROTARY CLUB OF MUMBAI NARIMAN POINT

Our Networking partners for UMANG 2019 are:
1. FESCOM Mumbai
2. HelpAge India
3. A1 Snehanjali
4. SNEH KALA Kendra
5. Palliative Care Dept., Bhaktivedanta Hospital
6. Photomist
7. OYA - Open Your Arms
8. JAMM's Network
9. YWCA of Bombay
10. Pink Innings
11. Kaash Foundation
12. Dainik Mumbai Halchal
13. Samay Rashtriya News Channel
14. Rotaract Club of Hinduja College
15. Rotaract Club of K C College
16. Dominiche Production

Contact for any query: silverinnings@gmail.com / call – 9987104233


#umang2019 #seniorcitizens #TalentShow #Talent #Mumbai #India #Silverinnings #rotaract #Rotary #youngatheart #oldisgold #bachpanafterpachpan #Seniors #oldage #elders #Ageing #Aging


Sailesh Mishra
Founder
Silver Innings





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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

India’s news: Country First International Spark of Life Master Practitioner in Dementia Care

India’s first International Spark of Life Master Practitioner in Dementia Care

Congratulations to Ms. Nilanjana Maulik (National Coordinator Working Group ARDSI) and Mr. Sailesh Mishra (Founder President Silver Innings Group and A1Snehanjali ) for being First Indian to be conferred renowned 'Spark of Life' International Master Practitioner in Dementia Care at Perth, Australia on 19th May 2017.

Mr Sailesh Mishra is Mumbai’s first International Spark of Life Master Practitioner and Ms. Nilanjana Maulik is Kolkata city’s first International Spark of Life Master Practitioner.

Mr Mishra has just returned back to India after undertaking a 3 week intensive master course in Perth, Western Australia on the Spark of Life Philosophy.

‘The Spark of Life International Master Course, its magnificent holistic philosophy for Dementia Care, has not only enriched me but also empowered me about dementia care and to be better human being’, Mr Mishra said on his return.

The Spark of Life Philosophy
‘The Spark of Life Philosophy offers a practical and sustainable way of enriching the lives of people with dementia, their families and carers and transforming the culture of care. The focus is on How to connect, How to communicate and How to care.

The philosophy is about the quality of the connection between the carer and the person with dementia and aims at fostering kindness, compassion, empathy, respect and an attitude of unconditional love in the interactions between families or care staff and clients,’ Mr Mishra explained.

Implementing the Spark of Life Philosophy into an organisational culture has been proven to enrich the lives of people with dementia enabling them to experience improvements in mental abilities, language, self-esteem, social interactions and emotional well-being.
For information on the international Spark of Life Master Course for pioneering leaders held in Perth Western Australia please go to www.dementiacareaustralia.com


About Mr Sailesh Mishra
Sailesh is a Social Entrepreneur and a renowned Social Activist working for the welfare of Senior Citizens and People with Dementia. He is also a certified Spark of Life Master Practitioner.

After 15 years of working in the corporate world in marketing he made a complete shift to dedicating his life to creating an Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience and in April 2008 Sailesh founded his organization Silver Innings to achieve just that. For his selfless in Ageing he has been awarded Karmaveer Puraskaar National award.

Sailesh has been part of National and State level prominent TV Talk show on Ageing and Dementia, he was also twice part of International Radio talk show on Dementia.

He has been to Malta twice on scholarship for UN INIA 15 day’s course on Social Gerontology and International Policy and Participated in Prestigious UN OEWG on Ageing at New York.

In Aug 2013 Sailesh set up Mumbai City’s first 24 x 7 Dedicated Assisted Living Elder Care Home 'A1 Snehanjali' in Nalasopara West and in 2016 the second home  'A1 Snehanjali' in Virar.


About: Mrs. Nilanjana Maulik
Mrs. Nilanjana Maulik is Secretary of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) Kolkata Chapter & National Coordinator, Working Group ARDSI. She has done her Master's Degree, Dementia Studies from The University of Stirling, and  Successful Aging & End of Life Care from Stanford University School of Medicine Mini Fellowship, she is also Board Member of Commonwealth Association of Aging.

Mrs. Nilanjana Maulik since 1999 is involved with ARDSI and is instrumental in starting Kolkata city’s first Dementia Day care center and also runs counselling, care support, memory clinic, training for home carers, home visit, day care for dementia person, etc, and  helpline. She is strong advocate of rights and care of person with dementia.

She has won National Award Winner ARDSI: BEST DEMENTIA CARE WORKER, 2006



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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

UMANG a unique talent platform for Senior Citizens created by Silver Inning Foundation

Has anyone ever wondered what goes on in the minds of seniors as they sit in a garden or on a swing in the garden as the watch the world go by? Surprisingly, much more enthusiasm to live their silver years fruitfully and happily. However, as life moved on, so did things become fast paced and suddenly "time" became the most expensive commodity to acquire from children. There began to mushroom organisations that reached out to seniors to help them channelize their time and experience. When I retired I too began to look for opportunities to do things that I had never had the time to during my work life. That's when Sailesh Mishra and Ramaa Subramaniam found me. Ramma, my old friend who having found purpose in her life to work for senior citizens reached out to me to participate and I did.

When I was invited to host UMANG, a platform to encourage 55+ seniors to showcase their talent organized by Sailesh's Silver Inning Foundation last year, I honestly did not know what to expect. How important it is to meet seniors of your age and what's more to get inspired is something I never imagined. The capability to dance and sing at 55+ and what's more express themselves taught me the true meaning of "abhi toh main jawaan hun". Of course, I  myself am an over-enthu senior citizen myself who loves doing a host of crazy things to keep me happily engaged but I must admit I was in complete awe hosting the event that day. The feeling of achievement and the pat on the back that I got elevated me to euphoria that day and every comment / appreciation I got on social media made me feel ten feet tall. It is then that it struck me as to how important such moments and events are for seniors like me.

Seniors need a platform to express themselves and if it is on a stage, then that's even better as it brings an added feeling of contentment and achievement. UMANG, of course is not a competitive event but what's an event without a bit of 'I can do it better' or probably 'as well as you' spirit.  I found, at UMANG seniors felt a great sense of motivation and pride in trying to outshine each other with their perseverance to perform.

Since year 2010 UMANG is sponsored and supported by Rotary Club of Nariman Point Mumbai and Rotaract Club of Rizvi Law College.

What can I say about Sailesh Mishra, the Founder of Silver Innings Group who conceptualized UMANG which today has become a much awaited event by senior citizens. Since  its inception in 2008, every year it sees more and more seniors wanting to participate and the event boasts of around 125 seniors performing to an audience of over 900 people. All I can say is that when such opportunities are made available, it just transforms the lives of so many seniors whose families then begin to sit up and take notice. I totally agree with Sailesh's mantra of  “Hum toh woh recycled teenagers hai, joh rewired hai not retired”. His dream of encouraging and providing seniors an opportunity to participate in such a journey is something to be thankful for. Seniors today are also not just sitting back because they grew up in times when technology was not a means of fun and time pass. They just need for someone to acknowledge their talent, life experiences and expertise.

That amazed look on their children's faces, a pat on back and a handshake to say you were awesome, is all that seniors want today........ and "UMANG" is that one of its kind platform, just around the corner every year, waving out to seniors to put on their dancing shoes and show the world what they've got.

Iam so excited, this year again I will be hosting UMANG on 16th April 2016, See you'll ......


About Writer: 
Hira Mehta
hiramehta13@gmail.com
Blog: http://crossleggedwithhiramehta.blogspot.in/
Write short stories, articles and blog; Freelancer - Hosting, VO and acting; Hon.Secretary of ARUNIMA, a women's forum; Looking for work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry and a Retired from ICICI Bank.




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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

Silver Innings, a social enterprise celebrates it's 6th Foundation Day

 MUMBAI , INDIA / NGO / APRIL 10TH 2014  

 

“A change agent is someone who has an inner flame  pushing them out into the world to improve it. My work at the Silver Innings is to feed that flame so it grows into a bonfire. My hope is that each person’s flame will grow to be so bright that one day we will create Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience”  

: Sailesh Mishra , Founder President, Silver Innings   

Today 10th April 2014 on our Foundation Day, its an amazing experience, completing 6 Years, Silver Innings has become a movement, a trend setter with its uniqueness and innovative Positive approach towards Ageing. 

We take this opportunity to Thank all our supporters, well wishers , colleagues , friends , partners and all Elders for their continuous support and blessings. 

We still remember that day, 10th April 2008, our Social Enterprise organization 'Silver Innings' was launched with website www.silverinnings.com to work With Senior Citizens to provide need base service to Senior Citizens and their family members.

The idea behind Silver innings was to take the fear out of ageing by empowering the elders and bringing dignity in their lives Who’s afraid of ageing? Is what the team at Silver Innings believes in. 

Silver Innings was born with idea of a new beginning for our elders. It is a new path, the journey of successful ageing. It is an initiative that was started by my young change-makers team , Hendi Lingiah, (France), Prof Parul Kibliwala (India,SNDT) Bhavesh Chheda (Web designer,India) and Sailesh Mishra(Marketing Professional, India)  who were far removed in distance but united in the cause of elders. 

The idea was germinated by our founder Sailesh Mishra and took root with the support and contribution of these individuals and many more people, to list them all will be an endless list. Silver Innings took form as a one stop destination for dissemination of information and resources for the elders and their family members. The social enterprise opened a platform for discussing issues regarding the elders and soon a need for a social organisation emerged. Taking on this gaping need, Silver Inning Foundation a NGO was born in July 2008 to address  the micro and macro level issues of the elderly to create an elder friendly world.

Silver Innings had taken a bold and innovative step to address the issues concerning elders with the help of technology by proactively using ICT in creating awareness and sensitization. It believes in partnerships and networking and uses various platforms, NGOs, educational institutes, medical institutes to promote the cause. It is trying to break the centralised system by reaching out to the elderly where they are situated and empowering them to find resources within them to deal with the issues.

Silver Innings believes in creating an environment and understanding of ageing as a positive and beautiful experience with no negativity attached to it.  A few organisations in recent years were addressing some of the issues of the elderly. However there was a need for better marketing of the issues of the elderly with proactive participation, networking and advocacy towards the cause. A non-discriminatory, approach was needed since most of the organisation working for elder care were addressing the elites on the one hand and the down trodden on the other but the middle class was somehow left out of this outreach. 

Silver Innings has a vision that after 20 / 30 years Silver Inning Foundation (SIF) , NGO will ceases to operate, elders won’t any more need any NGO’s and we believes that NGO’s should not survive on stakeholders.There will be only service and product providers.That's why Silver Innings is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience. Now its like monopoly of handful organisations but it should be consumer driven market. A social innovation and Social Entrepreneur module will make huge difference to other wise most neglected and ignored sector of Senior Citizens globally. 

Our Sixth year 2013-14 was an Interesting year with lots of ups and down , but with limited funds and human resources we could still make some difference with events like Lectures , Workshop, Training, World days events, Heath  camps,  Advocacy , Participation in national and international conference's and also with some concrete New Initiative such as : 

Silver Innings Matrimonial & Companionship, A match making bureau for senior citizens, launched in April 2013

Silver Innings FC ( Foot ball club of youths playing for cause  of Elders)  we won all the matches in Div III group E , we were the topper , launched in July 2013

A1 Snehanjali, Assisted living elder care home (for Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson and Very old) , one of its kind in Mumbai city ( Nalasopara west) , Launched in Aug 2013

Koffee with Kahani, launched in Dec 2013 with ‘The Metrognome’ a  Inter-generation programme promoting story telling 

'Silver Innings' Registered as Trade Mark 

16 vs 60 Cricket match (between Youths and Senior Citizens)  launched in Jan 2014, Inter-generation programme with sports 

Silver Innings Helpline, India’s first online helpline portal only for Senior Citizens , Launched in Feb 2014, a brain child of Ramaa Subramanium, co founder 

Our work was also appreciated when our founder Sailesh Mishra was Awarded with Rotary Club Award , Dec 2013.

It was one of the important milestone with Book Launch of  ‘Karma Kurry for the mind, body, heart and soul’ in Dec 2013 Book published by Jaico with ‘Son of Million Parents’ our founder Sailesh Mishra change maker story.

We also got covered in many media, print in English and local languages  but one of the important one, to be mentioned is Electronic Media Interview of our Founder Sailesh Mishra regarding Old Age Homes and Senior Citizens issues at World Islamic Network's WIN TV 'Haqeeqat  Telecast on 13th April 2013. 

  

Doing all this we never realized when we had reached out to one million people globally.  

Some real time Statics will give you an idea of our proactive online activity, being pioneer in Asia using social media as tool for cause of aging :

Silver Innings (SI) Group Outreach  Reach Out , as on  9th April  2014                                          

           

Website and Publications:

                                                           

Websites :   Total Hits 1,71,187                                                         

www.silverinnings.com  :  1,10,765 hit  (since April 2008 )                                                 

http://a1snehanjali.com/  :  3841 hits  (since Dec 2013)                                                         

http://silverinningshelpline.com/  : 2581 (since 16th Feb 2014)                                                         

http://silverinningfoundation.org/   :  Under Construction                                                    

                                               

Blogs:   Total Hits  2,66,512                                                  

People for Social Cause Blog: 1,32,190 (since July 2007 )                                                   

Silver Innings blog :1,04,813 hit (Since April 2008 )                                                

Alzheimer’s Society (ARDSI), Greater Mumbai Blog: 17,996 hit   (Since Jan 2011)  - Managed by SI

Missing Senior Citizen Alert Blog9,754 Hit ( Since 25th Nov 2011)

Silver Innings Matrimonial and Companionship :  1759  ( April 2013)    

Acquired Blog:                                                     

Seniors World Chronicle  10,78,372 Hits (acquired on 8th May 2012)                                                        

                                   

Social Media:                           

Total Followers/ Friends : 8093                                                         

Facebook :6000 Followers/Friends (including personal)                                           

Twitter            :2093 Followers          (Including Personal)                           

                                                           

Facebook Pages / Community : Total Likes 3109                                                     

Youth for Seniors: 579 (Since July 2010)                              

Silver Inning Foundation: 439 (April 2008)                          

Silver Innings Matrimonial & Companionship: 109 (April 2013)                              

Silver Innings: 604 ( April 2008)                               

Silver Innings Young at Heart (Talent): 77 (Since 1st March 2014)             

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: 232 (Since 2010)                                

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA): 532 (since 2011)  Managed by SI  A1 Snehanjali: 285 (since July 2013)

Silver Innings Dementia Management Services(SIDMS): 91 (since April 2012)      

Silver Innings FC : 51 (Since July 2013)                               

Celebrating Age (Event):  110 (Since 2012)                          

           

Facebook Groups : Total Members  2559                                          

Missing Senior Citizen Alert: 700                              

Alzheimer's Related Disorder Society of India (ARDSI): 975 Managed by SI       

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: 460                              

Senior Citizens National Solidarity Day 16th Aug: 354 Managed by SI      

Online Newspaper:                                                    

Silver Innings Newspaper (Paper li ):  77 subscriber                         

Dementia & Alzheimer's Times :  83 Subscriber        

Total Outreach For Social Media including Websites and blogs:   13,95,670 - 9th April 2014                    

                                                           

Silver Innings Members : 5000  ( since April 2008 )    

                                             

Meri News.com - Citizen Journalism  : 36 Article published : 72,000 hits (5 years)           

                                      

Reach Out  / Impact :                                                  

Indirect: 10, 00,000 plus people globally (through ICT - internet) since April 2008       

                             

Direct: approx  1,00,000 people in India since April 2008    

                                               

Yes we all are the Change to make this society for all Ages.

From 

Team Silver Innings

silverinnings@gmail.com 

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

Good intent, lackadaisical implementation

MUMBAI ,INDIA / ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE  / SOCIAL SECURITY / JUNE 1st 2013


Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme in India (IGNOAPS), a scheme aimed at providing financial security to the destitute aged living below poverty line fails to achieve its goal because of lackadaisical implemenation, writes Dr. Nidhi Mishra. 

Old age brings with it lot of challenges, a major one is that of financial insecurity. Financial security of elderly in general and particularly of those belonging to BPL category has been a matter of concern, and due to increase in longevity, old age health care expenses, increasing cost of living, the problem has only compounded. Due to lower or negligible family income and rise in the cost of living, the poor often find it difficult to depend on their family for financial support, and thus the role of government becomes important in providing financial security to the destitute aged in our country.
 

Overview of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

Realising the pressing need to provide financial security to the destitute elderly, the IGNOAPSGovernment of India (GOI) launched the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Ministry of Rural Development, on 15 August 1995. Like other schemes of NSAP, this scheme is in line with Article 41 of the Constitution of India which directs the State to provide “public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limits of its economic capacity and development.”

On 19 November 2007, NOAPS was renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) and to widen its scope it has been extended to the elderly who fall Below Poverty Line (BPL). Initially under this scheme, all destitute elderly aged 65 years or above were provided a pension amount of `75 per month. Subsequently, with effect from 1 April 2006, the pension amount was increased to `200 per month per person in order to make this scheme more effective and the state governments were requested by central government to contribute a matching amount for each beneficiary of this scheme. It has been noted that not all states are contributing an equal amount of `200 per person per month to the pension.

To further improve the effectiveness of this scheme, with effect from 1 April 2011, the eligibility age for this scheme has been reduced from 65 to 60 years and the amount of pension has been raised from `200 to `500 per month for those who are 80 years or above.

The other two schemes under NSAP– Annapurna Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) are linked to IGNOAPS in a way that under Annapurna Scheme ten kilograms of food grains are provided free of cost to those BPL elderly who though eligible, have not been covered under the IGNOAPS. And under IGNWPS, once the BPL widows reach the age of 60 years they are transferred to IGNOAPS.

The Annual Report (2012-13) of the Ministry of Rural Development, GOI, highlights coverage of 223.18 lakh BPL elderly all over India, where the highest number of beneficiaries were reported in Bihar (37.87 lakh), followed by Uttar Pradesh (37.67 lakh) and Odisha (17.77 lakh). The total expenditure reported under NSAP for the year 2012-2013 is `4855.77 crore, although a total of `8447.30 crore was allocated for it. IGNOAPS is a part of NSAP and is allotted a major portion of the funds, however, the exact breakup of scheme wise budget allocation under NSAP is not available in the annual report or on the website of Ministry of Rural Development. 

Benefits

The IGNOAPS is praiseworthy, as this is the first ever national level scheme which provides economic security to the poor elderly and widows who would have either been dependent on their family’s limited income or would have been forced to lead a neglected life. This aspect has also been highlighted in one of the participatory study conducted in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh by the NGO HelpAge India in 2008, where responses of participants indicated that IGNOAPS plays a very important role in poverty reduction. 

Limitations

Over the years, government bodies and social scientists have highlighted some limitations of this scheme mainly in terms of its improper implementation. A research paper jointly published by four professors from Harvard School of Public Health in 2010 highlighted weak targeting of beneficiaries which is generally based on combination of a survey based definition of poverty and community identification of the poor as a major problem related to implementation of this scheme.

In a survey conducted by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India in 2012, covering a total of 9,852 elderly in the seven states of India which have higher proportion of elderly viz. Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the problem of wrong targeting was observed. While investigating the utilisation of IGNOAPS, it was found that some non-BPL elderly were also availing the scheme. It was also observed that there was low awareness of this scheme among the beneficiaries, thus raising the need for effective steps to be taken by the government to promote the scheme.
Another targeting issue identified in assessments of this scheme is the difficulty of determining the age of a person, particularly in rural areas. Along with this some researchers (Anand and Kumar, 2006) have also highlighted that while from a macro perspective IGNOAPS seems to be working well, and meeting its many objectives, a micro analysis shows that there are gaps in areas like distribution and the identification of beneficiaries.

In an assessment report of Ministry of Rural Development (2006) it was found that the IGNOAPS is lacking on two grounds which cut across states: (i) it involves complex administrative procedures and, therefore, proves especially difficult for the illiterates, and (ii) the size of programme beneficiaries is capped artificially by using an arbitrary ceiling formula. 

Conclusion and recommendation

It is clear that IGNOAPS is a useful scheme for elderly below poverty line, however, it is facing problems of improper implementation such as wrong targeting, limited coverage and irregular payment of pension which needs to be strongly dealt by the government through improvement of coordination between its various bodies. Also through an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism the problem of wrong targeting and irregular payments can be controlled by the government. Along with this proper need assessment should be done by the government for effective coverage of the scheme. Additionally, the government should publicise the scheme especially in rural areas and slums for creating awareness amongst potential beneficiaries. Civil society can also play an important role by conducting training programmes for the targeted beneficiaries.

Dr. Nidhi Mishra ,The writer is working at Tata Institute of Social Sciences for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ageing project in India.

©One India One People Foundation 2013.

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

Silver Inning Foundation’s Journey- A Cascade of Unconventional Approaches

MUMBAI , INDIA / SOCIAL MEDIA / MAY 22nd 2013

Case Study: Silver Inning Foundation’s Journey- A Cascade of Unconventional Approaches : by : Anjali Saigal ,NMIMS University Part Time MBA(Social Entrepreneurship) , Under Guidance of Dr Manjari Srivastava

Case Synopsis

A major challenge that India is facing  is the progressive ageing of the population, including the risk of a growing gap between the generations. Especially as fast developing new technologies increase the distance between the younger and the older generations. Silver Innings Foundation (SIF) was formed to address the micro and macro level issues of the elderly to create an elder friendly world. It had decided to proactively use Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Social media and networking to sensitize the community and society towards the cause of Elderly and promote intergenrational programmes and empower elders in their own community / locality. It has attempted to bring young people and seniors together and tackling the “digital divide” Other inclusive activity like Foot D Ball to Stop Elder Abuse, youth tying purple band to senior citizen etc were successfully implemented. In June 2011 it became a part of The joint action committee (JAC) consisting of 23 organizations which work for the welfare of senior citizens in Maharashtra/Mumbai and decided to go on state-wide agitation from June 2011 against the non-implementation of 1999 National Policy of Older Person, (NPOP).

Additionally SIF  provided a  wide range of innovative, good quality services for elderly based on their changing needs. It wants to have an age integrated society and promote intergenerational activities to ensure social cohesion. 

The Study 

Sailesh Mishra was reflecting on his journey  as a  founder president  of Silver Innings Foundation (SIF)  while waiting for his flight to UN headquarters in New York where he was invited to participate in Third Session of the prestigious ‘Open-ended Working Group on Ageing(OEWG). An idea germinated by him took shape in 2008 with help of four individuals, Hendi Lingiah, (France), Prof Parul Kibliwala (India, SNDT Women’s University), Swati Ingole (MSW, Mumbai, India) detailed background in Appendix 1 in form of Silver Innings Foundation to address the micro and macro level issues of the elderly to create an elder friendly world. Sailesh left his corporate job for his passion to work with Senior Citizens, which he believed was the most neglected and ignored segment.  He wanted the government, the public at large to give the elderly their rights and to take responsibility for their development.  He wanted them to take efforts to integrate older people in their daily activities and not isolate them.  The turning point in his life was the death of an resident staying in Dignity Lifestyle Township for the elderly and for who suffered from dementia. The son of the deceased man living in Canada when informed about his father’s death, coldly asked them to cremate the body. That is when Mr. Mishra realized that there was a need to sensitize elders and their family members about ageing.  It was evident to him that the Indian society was changing rapidly. The value systems and family structure once India was proud of have seen a sea change. Nuclear family had been on the rise and sometimes even the aged parents were left to fend for themselves. Senior citizens homes or old age homes/communities were no longer alien concepts in India. It was a solution sought by most from the so called modern and educated generation. A majority of the old age homes or day care centres did not cater to the senior population suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. There were only a handful like Helpage India , Dignity Foundation.  Mr. Mishra initially set up a website with a couple of friends, to sensitize people about the issues relating to ageing and elders concentrating on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. 

He wanted to move away from “push” (one-way) communications and to move towards a type of communication in which the seniors and youth can interact with, listen to and engage constituents. The decision was taken to proactively use Information and Communications Technology (ICT), social media and networking to facilitate in the sensitization of the community and society towards the cause of elderly and promote intergenerational programmes and empower elders in their own community / locality.

Silver Innings Foundation (SIF) was established with a vision is of creating an elder friendly world in which ageing becomes a positive, rewarding experience. Its mission was to uphold and secure the rights of elderly and actively work towards improving their quality of life by networking, advocating and researching elderly issues and providing a wide range of services according to their needs. Its objectives listed as the 10 commandments was to mainly to work with elderly and to provide wide range of innovative, good quality services for elderly based on their changing needs and to utilize their experience, knowledge and skills for the betterment of themselves and society.  

 The organization was registered as a trust in 2008 with five trustees and five office bearers. The office bearers including the founder president Mr Sailesh Mishra was involved in day to day working of the organization. There were only two paid staff and 85% of the work was done by Mr Mishra, Bhavesh Chheda handled the creativity and technological aspect and the Mr .Chittranjan contributed to only 5% by assisting in networking and linkages.  Volunteers and consultants were recruited programwise as per the requirement.

SIF was started with seed funding from Unltd India in 2008 and until they got tax exemption certificate, the fund requirement till date is mostly met by personal savings and small donations from friends, relatives and well wishers. Accumulating financial resources to set up this foundation or to scale up had been a challenge since day of inception as evident from their account statements in Appendix 3. Alternative and cheaper ways like social media were essential in promoting the cause and sensitizing the people.

Social Media and SIF

The “New Web” has been incremental in transforming the way people interact and even the way they think. It has started to occupy a vital portion of many organizational and business strategies at all levels. The need for utilizing these technologies for non profits is becoming more evident.

Social media platforms have the ability to help NGOs by providing various strategic tools for engagement as follows.

• It has been imperative in building relationships with stakeholders and communities and also networking and fundraising.
• It has been facilitating campaigning to a large and sometimes even specific group allowing for more reach at a cheaper cost.
• With the huge and steady increase in the numbers of social media users worldwide and across various platforms (pcs, Mobile phones etc.), social media has become an opportunity for non profits to share their messages with the masses using free tools available to support the vision and objectives of such organizations.
• Social media has attempted to bridge the ever-increasing divide between the youth and the elderly.

The computer and the Internet are not usually associated with senior citizens, but SIF  decided to use the Internet to highlight the plight of the elderly in the city. The first thing they did in 2008 was float a virtual space online and launched a one-stop information portal www.silverinnings.com which served as a single-point destination for senior citizens. They put up information on helplines, old age homes, and police station numbers. Additionally they also began addressing issues like ageism, Alzheimer’s, dementia care management and memory loss, which had been affecting a number of senior citizens included information on how to make a will too.

The foundation’s creative head, Bhavesh Chheda analyzed the internet usage patterns among senior citizens across the country decided to set up an exclusive blog space where senior citizens could

• Discuss important issues and the problems they were facing.
• Senior citizens would be able to interact with each other and share their problems and also combat one of the key issues of loneliness.
• It provided space for the youth to interact with their elders

SIF and Its Unconventional Approaches

Sailesh Mishra’s main intention with SIF was to network with likeminded organization and not to work in isolation but in partnership with other service oriented organization. 

In a first-of-its-kind initiative they conducted training for senior citizens in partnership with Sterlite Foundation in three centres in Mumbai to familiarize them with computers and technological advances that go with it. They provided training in regional languages to make the senior citizens understand better. It served dual purpose as the knowledge and teaching classes would keep them occupied and it would also yield opportunities for retired senior citizens to have a second career. They strongly believed that technology could bridge the gap and create synergy between the youth and the senior citizen bringing them on a common platform.  

To create awareness it used ‘Silver Inning Newspaper’ which was created in ‘Paper.li'  that automatically creates an online Daily Newspaper about topics related to senior citizen Alzheimer , Dementia. Subscribers would receive their online newspaper each day filled with top stories around the same content topic. It’s a great way for you to automatically aggregate online content relevant to your topic and push it out to your online community. Till date they have had 88 subscribers belonging to different age groups.

SIF became a referral NGO 24 x 7 Senior Citizen’s Referral Helpline that was started by The Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust along with Dial ‘1298’ for Ambulance in association with Help Age India, Harmony for Silvers Foundation & The Federation Of Senior Citizens' Organizations Of Maharashtra (FESCOM) in 2010. It was set up with the aim to be a one-stop destination for information for the elderly and their family members and has been receiving more than 100 calls daily since. The calls relate to information regarding the elder care by families but more relate to senior citizens who have been harassed by their family members/ friends. Many cases are specifically related to legal and property maintenance.

In 2011 pilot project “Foot D Ball to Stop Elder Abuse” along with Team Alfresco FC –Mumbai.  This event used a holistic approach to promote ‘Sports for Development’ through Football. SIF believed that fusion and synergy between youth & elders will help them to achieve their vision of creating elder friendly world where ageing becomes a positive and rewarding experience.

This intergeneration activity with sports for development concept through football was tried for first ever time in this part of the world for promoting Elder Cause and to create awareness about Elder Abuse in civil society. Football has been one of the most patronized sports around the world. Organizations driven by local social entrepreneurs, use the power of the beautiful game to positively transform their communities. Development through football has been an important issue within the development cooperation and social work sectors. SIF recognized the potential that football and other sports could unleash when systematically included in processes of social change. Football especially has the power to unite people and cultures all over the world. As a team sport it promotes fairness and tolerance, leapfrogs gender boundaries and fosters mutual understanding, thereby contributing to the positive development of personality and character.

It also introduced Purple Security Band inscribed with the words stop elder abuse during the match . It involved the youth tying these purple bands to the elders. The rationale behind this was to create awareness amongst the youth and opening channels of communication between the youth and the senior citizens.

 

SIF and  Advocacy

Elder Abuse as explained by SIF occurs with the family. It can be in any form most prominent being the children and grandchildren disrespecting the elders, back answering them, intentionally disturbing them , play television music systems etc very loudly . Government is also doing a lot through its Legislative & Executive Machinery for Senior Citizens by laying down an extra ordinary National Policy on Older Persons 1999 and the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Bill, 2007 etc but Government Abuse of Senior Citizens is lethargy in their implementation. Judiciary, although empowered and instructed to expedite cases of Senior Citizens, little progress is achieved (Ruparelia, n.d.).

On 15 June 2008 SIF launched an Online Petition to address the issue of Elder Abuse and this  was one of the effective medium to create awareness and petition the Central and State Government and the Society at large with the problem and recommendation.

The petition broadly classified elder abuse in different categories and it laid emphasis that the problem of elder abuse has to be dealt with on both ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ levels. Also, a multi-pronged approach which was required from different professionals who have an adequate understanding of the phenomenon of elder abuse, the dynamics of ageing, abuse within and outside the family, cultural and societal influences, of appropriate helping strategies to implement this knowledge and listed down  recommendations .

In response to the injustice and neglect of senior citizen, 16th August 2010 was observed as a National Protest Day.  It supported a  demand a separate Ministry and Elder Right protection Law for 90 million Elderly in India. It requested the government to view of active NGO and stake holders before finalizing the new National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) of 1999. In June 2011 it became a part of The joint action committee (JAC) consisting of 23 organizations which work for the welfare of senior citizens in Maharashtra/Mumbai and decided to go on state-wide agitation from June 2011 against the non-implementation of 1999 National Policy of Older Person, (NPOP). The joint action committee demanded declaration of State Policy for Senior Citizens, which the committee has claimed is lying unimplemented since 2002. It also insisted on formation of State Council of Senior Citizens and Commission, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Social Justice for effective promotion and coordination of the concerns of senior citizens and establishment of multi-service day care centres, so that they can be utilized in social activities and for improvement in physical and mental health of the elderly. Activists have claimed that has been no support or funds from the government, agencies, or corporate sector for the elderly, in the state that has around one crore senior citizens (60 +), out of which 66 per cent are poor, while 90 per cent lack social or health security. They further asserted that in the 2011-12 state budget the government has conveniently ignored the implementation of those policies which it had deemed as vital for the welfare of the elderly (Mishra, 2010).

As a result of nationwide activity, there has been some semblance of positive action from the Central Government such as concessions in Income Tax structure, Railway fares, quantum of Old Age Pension, eligibility criteria for concessions etc. There are also numerous glaring disparities in payment of pensions to retirees from different sectors, causing severe hardship in some cases. These need to be highlighted and their redressal sought. 

The UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) was established by the General Assembly in 2010. SIF got accredited to the same in 2011 with the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons in India . SIF was represented by Sailesh Mishra  at Third Session held in 2012. On the opening day, the Indian ambassador gave a rosy picture of the current scenario of health care for the elderly in India. He even had the nerve to say, “Why do the elderly need rights? Their development is the responsibility of the society and their families. What can the government do?

He was asked to make an opening statement on the floor of the house the next day and was amongst the six that made oral presentation that day. He emphasized on major five gaps that need immediate attention (Appendix 6) through National and International Instrument (Mishra, Official Statement of Silver Inning Foundation, 2012. He Observed that of the member states, Costa Rica and Argentina were the most passionate about promoting the cause of gerontology. These two would even hold a briefing for NGOs every morning. But the EU and the USA were extremely against the state having a stake in elders care, because they do not want to spend on it. An interesting dimension to this issue, he noted was that the Western countries, while reducing budgets assigned to social welfare, are aggressively studying the family concepts prevalent in south Asian countries, where parents and their children live together all their lives. But by contrast, we in India are going towards the Western concept of nuclear families and even smaller units. Where does that leave our elders?

But what he took away from his UN outing was the inspiration he felt after meeting people who had been working for the cause of elder care for decades which also motivated him to believe that he was on the right track and he still has a lot to learn.

SIF and Others.

SIF strongly believes in collaborating and networking to provide a better platform. Of all the players working in this space only Dignity foundation is working in isolation and catering to a niche group. Rest all like ARDSI (Alzheimer’s Society India) , Helpage , Harmony , FWA (The Family Welfare Agency) etc support each other immensely by sharing resources and knowledge. SIF also networks and has build relations with other NGO’s not related to senior ctizens like Mobile Creche , magic bus.

What’s Next

A child never writes to a grandparent maybe only school compositions directed to the teacher's eyes only. SIF used strategy for getting kids and senior citizen to talk to each other on paper to promote cross-generational written communication.  

Additionally it wants to create opportunities for intergenerational interaction and accelerate its efforts and include innovative strategies that synergize and move in concerted direction towards an age-integrated society where intergenerational interaction is natural across the domains of family, community and the workplace. 

Overcoming scarcity of financial resources needs to be addressed for reaching this goal. How can it grow its reach and cater to other social groups ? It has started experimenting with  entrepreneurial activities which include consultancy for  senior citizen residences , day care centres, providing training on soft skills to develop paramedical staff to take care of the elderly and latest being matrimonial services for the 50+ .

Generating funds by developing entrepreneur activities appears to be the most feasible solution. Though it will reduce dependence on donations and grants and make SIF financially sustainable but is it appropriate to generate funds from already neglected section of the society ?

Acknowledgment

I acknowledge with gratitude the guidance by Dr. Manjari Srivastava  in preparing this case study. But for her timely and prompt inputs this would have been a seemingly arduous task to accomplish.

I take this opportunity to profusely thank Mr Sailesh Mishra for his valuable time, inputs and constant help and support in my effort all along.

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