India
Express the abuse being faced by the elderlies
S
econd Innings Association conducted a joint talk on say #NoToAbuse against elderly at Le Corbusier Centre, Sector 19, Madhya Marg Chandigarh. The main aim of the meeting was to express the abuse being faced by the elderlies. Help Age India also provided the helping hand to the event by showing a movie and creating awareness amongst those present about speaking up when they are being abused.
S S Lamba, patron of Second Innings Association, commenced the program with his welcome address and apprised the audience about the importance of the event. He emphasized that every second senior citizen is subject to abuse be it mentally, physically or financially. He asked the members present to speak up in case they had gone through any such abuse.
Thereafter the President of Second Innings Association, R K Garg, who is also a well known RTI activist interacted with the audience. He said that speaking about the abuse is difficult as it involves personal repute and prestige of elderly, so in order to address such personal matters and discussion, a panel is being formed where the senior citizens can discuss their issues. He assured that all such abuses/harassment etc. shall be reported to appropriate authorities for necessary relief to the victims. He also proposed a memorandum of demands of the senior citizens from Chandigarh Administration. The memorandum was discussed at the meeting and after the consent of the members the same is being submitted with UT Administrator, V P Badnore for necessary instructions and orders.
A counselling committee was also formed in name of “My Counsel” especially for senior citizens where they can share their incidents of being abused against proper remedies would be provided.
Thereafter Deepika Gandhi, Director of Le Corbusier Centre also addressed the members present and discussed the issue of abuse to elderly in details. She apprised regarding the type of abuses generally faced and small measures to stop and cure such abuses. She assured her full cooperation and support to this initiative of SIA. She also announced the Twitter handle #NoToAbuse where the elderlies could post their issues.
The first of this kind meeting ended with the vote of thanks with a message that Elderlies are not objects of abuse, but subject of high respect prestige in the Indian Society.
