Voice of Senior Citizens

Transcription

1 July Ageing Nepal Battisputali, Kathmandu Volume 3, No. 7 Voice of Senior Citizens Write to editor: Joint Venture of: Editor: Mr. Krishna M. Gautam Assist. Editor: Mr. Ashish T. Magar Phone: ageingnep@gmail.com Website: Portal: In this issue Ageing in Nepali Press, June 1-30, 2013 ADA for Rights 2013 Campaign Organisational Development Social Support Social Security Active Ageing Rights Culture Elder Abuse Neglect Elders in Crime Feature News from CIPS countries

2 ADA FOR RIGHTS 2013 CAMPAIGN HelpAge International Nepal supported its partner organisation Ageing Nepal for the implementation of ADA for Rights 2013 Campaign throughout the month of June The campaign activities were focused in eleven out of 75 districts of Nepal. The month long ADA campaign was launched on 1 st June 2013 by organising a talk programme at Jyestha Ngarik Kalyan Samaj (Senior Citizens Welfare Society), Baneshwor. The campaign was successfully completed with following activities and the achievements. SIGNATURE COLLECTION A total of signatures were collected on the petition form prescribed by HelpAge International. Some of the luminaries who signed the ADA petition form included Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam, Former Assistant Secretary General, UN, and Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF. The signatories included more than ten centenarians, high government officials of the focal ministry, and significant number of national level personalities from different walks of Nepali society. QUOTES FROM ADA LEADERS Quotes from 11 ADA leaders as answers to the three questions given in Annex 2 of the "ADA for Rights 2013 Campaign Tool Kit" were video recorded. Written quotes of 9 ADA leaders were also obtained. PAMPHLETS AND STICKERS Page no. 3, 4, 21 and 22 of the "ADA for Rights 2013 Campaign Toolkit" were translated in Nepali language and two separate pamphlets were designed with logos of HAI Nepal and its partner organizations. Fifty thousand copies of each pamphlet were produced and distributed across the country. Similarly, a sticker was designed with WEAAD message, call for UN convention and the logos of HAI Nepal and its partner organisations. USE OF NATIONAL TV AND RADIO STATIONS A total of four TV talks shows were aired by different national TV stations with the central theme of strengthening the rights of older people through UN Convention. Similarly, three radio talk shows were aired that had nationwide coverage. USE OF NATIONAL DAILY NEWSPAPERS Following is the list of articles/columns published in both the English and Vernacular national daily newspapers on the central theme of ADA for Rights 2013 Campaign. Articles in Daily Newspapers SN Name of Daily Date of 1. Nepal Samacharpatra Title of article/columns publication 10 th June Jyestha Nagarikko lagi Rajya ko Dayitto means State s responsibilities towards senior citizens 2. Gorkhapatra Daily 13 th June Aagami Yug Jyestha Nagarik ko Yug means Next generation to be the generation of Older People Pg. no. in newspaper Page 4 Columnist Mr. Prakash Gautam Page 7 Mr. Krishna M. Gautam 3. The Rising Nepal 14 th June Senior Citizens Right to Happy Life Page 7 Mr. Promod Bhattarai 4. The Rising Nepal 15 th June ADA campaign for senior citizens Page 7 Mr. Bishnu Gautam 5. Gorkhapatra Daily 15 th June Jyestha Nagarik Rajyako Puji means Senior Citizens a property of the Nation Front Page Mr. Narad Gautam 6. The Rising Nepal 22 nd June Directives issued to run homes for the Front Page Ms. Pragya Lamsal aged people 7. Annapurna Post 30 th June Love grandfather and grandmother Second page Ms. Rachita Ghimire, House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 1 of 16

3 AGE DEMAND ACTION RALLY ADA rally on June 15 was led by National Senior Citizens Federation (NASCIF) and joined by many organizations and individuals working for the ageing population of Nepal. Some of the attractions added to the rally by Ageing Nepal included the following: Peacock Dance: One of the students dressed and danced like peacock during the rally, which was point of attraction to the general public. Zoo Dance: A group of students dressed like monkey, leopard, and tiger performed a dance as part of the rally. The student came with their own music band and danced on the song translated in English below, composed by Mr. Devi Ghimire, the ADA Committee member. Old age is the best age Old age is our pride With the knowledge and experience Old age is dignified We are the part of ADA campaign Old we will become We will make our old age beautiful No matter what may come! Street drama: Two young interns of Ageing Nepal dressed as an old couple played out street drama as part of the rally. Media coverage: The main print, radio and TV media were invited to cover the rally for news of the day. WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS Some of the international and national humanitarian and philanthropic organizations such as Rotary International and Nepal Scout were involved in various activities of the campaign. Similarly, academic institutions, old age homes, literary organizations and CBOs were also involved. Major outputs of Age Demand Action (ADA) for Rights 2013: 46,516 signatures collected in the Petition Form during 1 st to 30 th June ,000 copies of pamphlets were distributed. Assuming that at least 50% of the recipients read one of the pamphlets handed out to them, it can be said that at least 50,000 people of Nepal are now aware of the objectives of ADA for rights 2013 campaign and importance of UN convention for strengthening the rights of older people. 5,000 copies of ADA sticker were produced and distributed. 50 copies of ADA banners were produced and placed in various public places for public awareness. A majority of the population were reached with the ADA for Rights2013 message through TV and radio broadcast and the popular daily newspapers. More than 30 organisations including Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW), and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) were involved. More than 500 volunteers from 12 academic institutions were mobilized. House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 2 of 16

4 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Retirement at 65 in the UCPN-Maoist! Kantipur Kathmandu, June 15, 2013 The CPN-Maoist introduced a policy of compulsory retirement to the party leaders from the party responsibilities when as they reach 65 years old. The party introduced the policy to end the practice in communist party to stick to power throughout their life. SOCIAL SUPPORT Elderly felicitated A total of five programmes were organised in the month of June 2013 to felicitate senior citizens. Details are given below: S.N. No. of elders felicitated Age Sex Address By whom Where When (June 2013) F + 1M Myaglung VDC Myaglung 2 Annnapurna Post F Pokhara NGO Pokhara 16 Nepal Samacharpatra NA Dhading Academic Dhading 16 Gorkhapatra Note: NA=Not Available, F= Female, M= Male institution Support provided Efforts made to support OAH and destitute elderly during the month of June 2013 by providing money and materials. Details are given below in the summary table: S.N. Supporter To whom Reason What How much When (June Where Source 1. Generous individuals 2. Generous individual Individual (Cheppang) Destitute old couple 3. Nepalese org n in UK OAH (Aamako Ghar) 4. Business man Destitute elderly Note: Not Available= NA Charity Charity Charity Charity Lone grandpa in cave receives support Basic needs Financial support Financial support Basic needs House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 3 of 16 Source 2013) NA 10 Makawanpur Kantipur Daily Rs. 20,000/per annum 10 Tanahu Kantipur Daily Rs. 66, Kathmandu Kantipur Daily NA 18 Chitawan Kantipur Daily Kantipur Makwanpur, June 10, 2013 Jayapati Chepang, 98, has been living alone in a big cave of Silauti jungle of Bharta Village Development Committee in Makwanpur district. He was born and brought up in this cave. He also tied nuptial knot in the same cave. All his family members past away in this cave where he is now living alone. Jayapati who has not eaten rice since Dashain in October last year received clothes and money from the generous men of Kathamndu and Hetauda. Secretary of Chepang Association of Makwanpur, Mr. Mahesh Chepang, handed over food, clothes, money and umbrella to Jayapati. The association has also shown interest to build house for him.

5 Majhi family receives life-long supports Kantipur Tanahu, June 10, 2013 Old Majhi couple of Purkot VDC in Tanahau district found a man who would support them throughout their life. Both the spouse have seeing and hearing problem. Lecturer BishnuLal Shrestha of the same VDC has proclaimed to provide Rs 20,000 to the couple annually. The Majhi couple- Mundre and Tulsi drew the attention of many when a daily published their photograph while they were visiting a mobile camp in the support of their 7-year old grandson. Drinking water to OAH Kantipur Pokhara, June 17, 2013 Dhunge Sanghu, a Pokhara based old age home now has the facility of piped-water. The locals and the Armed Police Force Battalion of Malepatan supported them to have regular supply of piped water. Earlier, the senior citizens of the OAH used to depend on tanker-supplied water. Septuagenarian who eats insect gets support Kantipur Chitwan, June 18, 2013 Hasta Bahadur Chepang, 72, lives on insects. He eats food grains if anyone gives him. But he does not eat the food in plates. He collects different insects throughout the day and eats them raw in the evening. Donors have expressed their commitment to build a house to this Chepang, who has been living in a cave for 15 years. Operator of Monlisa Hotel of Sauraha Mr. Keshav Khanal said he would build a house for Hasta Bahadur besides giving him 10 kg rice, potato and oil every month until he lives. (Chepang is a tribe that lives in Jungles preferring not to live in permanent houses or huts, as their tradition) Honour to grand fathers and mothers Mahanagar Bhaktapur, June 26, 2013 Everest School of Bhakapur organised a cultural programme in honour of the grandfathers and grandmothers of the students. The students displayed their dance to their grandpas and grandmas aged over 60. They reported that they were very happy to be honoured. Radisson's support Kantipur Kathmandu, June 28, 2013 Hotel Radisson of Kathmandu provided three organisations working for the wellbeing of the elderly people with different helpful materials. General Manager of the Hotel Ranju Man Pradhan gave 21 colour TV sets, and five beds to Janakbaba Ashrit Mandir, and 21 clour TV sets, two tables and 15 beds each to Patan Community Best Rehabitation and Mudita Sewa Griha. Senior Citizens' demands unheard Gorkhapatra Kathmandu, June 29, 2013 House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 4 of 16

6 Chairman of Rastriya Janamorcha, a political party led by Mr.Chitra Bahadur KC said that the government compelled the senior citizens to take to the streets. KC reached the Department of Transportation in Koteshwor showing his solidarity with the senior citizens who have been staging a sit-in there for four months. He said that as the political parties did not give importance to the demands of the senior citizens, the government ignored their demands. SOCIAL SECURITY Finance Ministry ready to allocate budget for social security allowance Kantipur Kathmadu, June 23, 2013 The Finance Ministry is finally ready to allocate additional Rs billion rupees for the Local Development Ministry so that latter could provide social security allowance to the elderly people. Earlier, the ministry had allocated Rs billion which was not enough as the population of the elderly people went up. Many senior citizens and single women are likely to be deprived of social security allowance as the Ministry of Finance did not allocate adequate budget, said the officials at the Ministry of Local Development. The amount allocated by the Finance Ministry was less than the amount suggested by Ministry of Local Development due to which large numbers of beneficiaries are likely to be deprived of the allowance. ACTIVE AGEING Septuagenarian maintains livelihood by selling forest products Gorkhapatra Solukhumbu, June 3, 2013 Seventy-two-years-old Gom Bahadur Magar of Tamakhani here moves to the jungle carrying a khukuri, a doko (basket) and some snacks every morning after his tea. He returns home in the evening taking Diyalo (pine branch), wild fruits and mushroom. Magar, who has been living in his daughter's home, takes all the goods to the local market on Saturday for sale and earns about Rs. 500 a week. Septuagenarian breaks stone, earns Rs. 25,000 a month Gorkhapatra Solukhumbu, June 22, 2013 Man Bahadur Tamang aka Taksare Mahila, 75, of Tamakhani in the district has been breaking stones for years. Heaps of pebbles he broke could be seen in different places. Tamang has four sons. Said he was happy to manage the household expenses from the income of his work. Tamang who is satisfied with his earning, encourage youths to work in own country instead of going abroad. (Note: these broken stones are used for construction where these stones are mixed with cement for concrete building) An octogenarian wage earner Kantipur Sarlahi, June 24, 2013 Sahadev Paswan of Netragunj has already been over 80. But he still works in the neighbours' farm as a wage earner in absence of alternative to maintain his livelihood. "I have no option but to work as labourer to feed myself and the family members," he said. House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 5 of 16

7 For the Retiree by the Retiree!!! Perfect place for retired but not tired Our Hotel lies in the heart of the Nepalese agricultural land and right next to one of Asia's most renowned national parks, Chitwan National Park. For more details visit: House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 6 of 16

8 RIGHTS Police suppress elderly people's agitation Gorkhapatra Kathmandu, June 3, 2013 Police used force on the elderly men who were staging a sit-in at the Department of Transportation demanding reservation of seats and 50 per cent fare discount in the public vehicles. The police pulled the tents erected by the agitating senior citizens, tore their banner and manhandled them. Elderly receiving citizenship certificate More than 4 senior citizens received citizenship certificate during the month of June Details are available in the table below: S.N. No. of recipients Age Sex Address When (June 2013) Where Received via Source F Bajura 4 Bajura Mobile camp Annapurna Post F+6M Arghakhanchi 7 Arghakhanchi Mobile camp Gorkhapatra F Rautahat 8 Rautahat Mobile camp Annapurna Post F Taplejung 9 Taplejung Mobile camp Gorkhapatra State does not respect us: senior citizens Gorkhapatra (RSS) Kathmandu, June 16, 2013 Senior citizens blamed the state for not giving respect to the elderly people. Addressing the third annual general meeting of Society of Senior Professors, they said that the state should properly evaluate the knowledge and skills of the senior professors. 'Respect senior citizens' Annapurna Post Biratnagar, June 18, 2013 Bindeshwori Nagarik Samaj of Biratnagar handed over a memorandum to the Chief District Officer demanding that the state should show respect to the senior citizens. The 11-point memorandum submitted to CDO Mr. Tara Nath Gautam included demands that the old people should be provided social allowance regularly, they should be allowed to travel free of fare from public vehicles, among others. For more information about products, please visit: House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 7 of 16

9 CULTURE Only elderly barbers give continuity to traditional 'Khan' system Gorkhapatra Lahan, June 6, 2013 Khan system, in which the barbers receive a certain amount of food grains once in a year from their clients, is on the verge of extinction as the barbers of the young generation are against the system and tend to operate their saloons in towns. Only a few barbers aged above 60 could be seen giving continuity to this tradition of Khan. Our Services For more details, visit: House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 8 of 16

10 ELDER ABUSE No. of senior citizens robbed in the month of April 2013 Two senior citizens were robbed in June 2013, details are available below: S.N. Name Age Sex Robbed for Crime 1. Rudra Bahadur Khadka 2. Ram Prasad Thapa Cases of attempted murder Date (June Source scene 2013) 72 M Valuables Myagdi 5 Police 62 M Money+possessions Bhaktapur 18 Police A total of six senior citizens faced attempted murder in the month of June 2013 for different causes. Details of the cases are available in the table below: S.N. Name Age Sex Address Reason Culprit Form of abuse Status Date (June Source 1. Ratna Bahadur Rai 2. Khaleshu Dagaura 3. Man Kumari Pariyar 65 M Illam Under influence of alcohol 80 M Bhimdutta nagar 63 F Okhaldhun Family dispute ga Young brother 2013) Physical D 4 Gorkhapatra Witchcraft Villagers Physical ND 4 Gorkhapatra Son and daughterin-law Physical D 5 Annapurna Post 4. Buddhi Bahadur 60 M Pokhara Unknown Unknown Physical D 16 Gorkhapatra BK 5. Chakra Bahadur Giri 78 M Khotang Unknown Unknown Physical D 23 Annapurna Post 6. Lila Maya Giri 75 F Khotang Burglary (assumption) Unknown Physical D 23 Annapurna Post NOTE: D= Dead, ND= Not Dead, F= Female, M= Male NEGLECT Unattended death A total of five unattended dead bodies of senior citizens were found from different parts of the country during the month of June Details are given in the table below: S.N. Name Age Sex Address Place of death Date (June 2013) Source 1. Harihar Harijan 72 M Nawalparasi Nawalparasi 8 Police 2. Unidentified 65+ M Unidentified Makwanpur 8 Police 3. Unidentified 60+ M Unidentified Banke 16 Police 4. Unidentified 60+ M Unidentified Jumla 22 Police 5. Unidentified 60+ M Unidentified Kalaiya 23 Gorkhapatra ELDERS IN CRIME Following table presents number of senior citizens found involved in unlawful activities during June S.N. Name Age Sex Address Crime involved Date Source (June 2013) 1. Sher Bahadur Tamang 60 M NA Possession of illegal products 19 Police 2. Buddha Byehan 60 M Banke Illegal possessions of guns 27 Police House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 9 of 16

11 FEATURE Senior citizens live poor life Gorkhapatra Kathmandu, June 22, 2013 In a feature article, author Mr. Rewat BahadurKarki mentions the poor financial status of senior citizens who share 9.1 per cent of the total population. He said these old people have to manage their livelihood with social allowance of mere Rs. 500 in lack of other state facilities Who listens to the senior citizens? Kantipur Kathmandu, June 24, 2013 In this article, Ms. Kalpana Ghimire writes how the old people have been deprived of basic facility guaranteed by the state and how they have been compelled to stage a sit-in demanding implementation of legal provision that the elderly people be given 50 per cent discount while commuting by the public vehicles. She has also included insight stories by mentioning the family status of the agitating senior citizens. DEMENTIA HELPLINE For more details, visit: me.html House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 10 of 16

12 CHINA More cases of Alzheimer's disease in China in 2010 than any other country worldwide MEDICAL EXPRESS The new estimates show that there were 9.19m people with dementia in China in 2010, compared to 3.68m in 1990, and 5.69m people with Alzheimer's disease in 2010, compared to 1.93m in China had more individuals living with Alzheimer's disease in 2010 than any other country in the world. Read more: Blues for the elderly in China BEIJING (Caixin Online) Confucius might have nodded approvingly had he attended a recent land auction in Beijing where a city agency became the first in China to sell a parcel specifically designated for a senior citizens housing complex. But companies bidding for the nearly 520,000-squaremeter plot were less inclined toward respecting the elderly, as the ancient sage prescribed, than profiting from a central government push for a new service industry aimed at satisfying the needs of graying retirees. Read more: French companies line up to care for China's elderly CHINA DAILY A rapidly aging China is catching the eyes of French nursing home operators, who are planning to tap into the growing need of the country's elderly population. Colisee Patrimoine Group, the fifth-largest nursing home operator in France, has rolled out an ambitious plan to open 50 elderly communities with 25,000 beds across China, targeting a turnover of 300 million euros ($386.7 million) in the next five to seven years. Its first nursing home, which will offer 700 beds and occupy about 500,000 square meters, is expected to open in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province next year, according to Pascal Brunelet, the group's managing director. The project is being jointly developed by Colisee and its Chinese partner CITIC Group, a State-owned enterprise. While domestic growth of the home nursing industry in France has almost ground to a halt due to insufficient government funding, China has emerged as an attractive market for French operators looking to exploring opportunities abroad. Read more: House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 11 of 16

13 INDIA Rajasthan offers free pilgrimage to senior citizens SIFY NEWS Jaipur: The Rajasthan government will launch a new scheme next month under which it will bear all the expenses of boarding and lodging for senior citizens going to selected pilgrimage destinations. The government's Devasthan department will implement the scheme, according to an official statement released here Tuesday. The whole journey will last for about a week. The government will spend a sum of Rs.1,700 per person during the journey under the scheme. "For undertaking the journey senior citizens can apply for the free pilgrimage scheme through the Devasthan department or through the district administration. The government will make all arrangements for their boarding and lodging," a statement said. Read more: Senior citizens to get more recreational centres HINDUSTAN TIMES Delhi government plans to set up more recreational centres for senior citizens in the coming year, Kiran Walia, Delhi's minister for social welfare, has announced. There are already 80-odd recreational centres across Delhi for senior citizens. These centres provide avenues for relaxation during their leisure time and help them interact with persons from their age group. "In all there are 83 such centres managed by civil society groups in different areas of Delhi. More such centres can be set up on demand," Walia said. Delhi has more than two million senior citizens. The Senior Citizens Council, under the social welfare department of the government, provides these recreational centres one-time grant of R75,000 for buying basic necessities and over and above that, R20,000 per month for covering operational expenses.read more: Indian Senior Citizen Award 2013 FAQs PRLOG Being responsible is organizing Indian Senior Citizen award 2013, the signature project of the organization aiming to honor senior citizens. Read more: House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 12 of 16

14 PAKISTAN PIA and senior citizens DAWN.COM MY wife and I are elderly citizens and have been travelling for the last 45 years mostly by PIA. We are both suffering from arthritis, more so my wife who is now confined to a wheel chair. This year I booked our seats in March about two months before flying on May 25 by PK 785 Islamabad to London (Heathrow). I requested the booking staff at the PIA office at The Mall, Rawalpindi, to allot us seats in row 21 so that we could have more leg space and could stretch our legs according to the advice by our orthopaedic surgeon. The staff at the counter apologised saying that these seats are blocked and could only be allotted at the travel counter on the day of travel on merit. We were advised to report four hours before travel to make our travel comfortable in row number 21. Read more: 1/ Federal budget: Senior Citizens satisfied with increase in pension AAJ NEWS ISLAMABAD: The pensioners of various public departments have expressed satisfaction over announcement of 10 percent raise in pension as the country is facing acute economic pressure. Talking to APP here on Wednesday, Rahmat Khan a 65 year old school teacher said, Currently the country is passing through a very difficult phase and every one should contribute in bringing the country s economy on the right track. He said, the new government was facing a number of challenges due to increased debt which had destabilized the economy adding the current relief was justified in the present circumstances. Youth were the major potential of the country and its time to invest in education, he said adding, the money should be diverted for their bright future. Noshaba Subhani, a retired nurse of a government hospital said the government had not imposed any new tax so it is not difficult to run the household in our current income. She said issue of power sector and other big challenges should be given prime importance rather than giving relief to government employees and pensioners is a good strategy of the government which will have long term effects on the economy. Read more: House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 13 of 16

15 Emergency Flood Response Project 2013 SRI LANKA DAYAL PERERA, Director Programme of HASL June 2013 Global Emergency Fund (GEF) of HAI approved an emergency flood response project in Kandy and Matale Districts (both in the Central Province). Project duration was 04 months starting from 01 st February 2013 and the total budget was 52,900, where GEF contributed 48,100. During the project period, 20 SCCs were formed and 30 mobile medical camps were held targeting 20 SCCs. 4,183 patients were medically screened, 1,812 spectacles were distributed, 12,000 were disbursed as loans among 236 beneficiaries as livelihood assistance, 12,500 were also distributed as grants among 111 beneficiaries enabling them to construct their damaged houses. Project was successfully completed on 30 th May Damaged House at Matale Rathtota Damage house at Matale Loan distribution at Kandy Loan distribution at Rathtota House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 14 of 16

16 Mobile Medical camp at Kandy Housing Material Distribution Kandy The health coordination meeting at Padaviya MOH office LIONEL PREPMACHANDRA, Rights and Advocacy Advisor OF HASL June 2013 The health coordination meeting scheduled to be held under TEA program in 2013 was conducted on at the MOH office at Padaviya. The objective of this meeting was to link SCC members with key stakeholders in the field of health in order to get a positive response from them for the health problems faced by the older persons in the area. This meeting was attended by 28 people including the following officers from the MOH office 2. 3 officers from HelpAge Sri Lanka members of 3 SCCs House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 15 of 16

17 During the meeting the MOH explained the work done by his staff to identify the elders with mental problems in the area and how they were directed to the clinics at Padaviya and Polonnaruwa. Other health problems of elders were also discussed. The health coordination meeting at Manampitiya MOH office LIONEL PREPMACHANDRA, Rights and Advocacy Advisor OF HASL June 2013 The health coordination meeting at Manampitiya MOH office was held on and it was the first in Four officers from the MOH office, three officers from HASL and 11 members from three SCCs participated in this meeting. New MOH explained his plans for this year and the activities targeting the elders in the area. About the mental health camp to be held in the hospital was also discussed here. Elders can contribute to GDP SWARNA EKANAYAKE, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of HASL June 2013 Mrs. Wimalawathie is a member of Isipathana SCC. 62 year old Wimalawathie has one son and has a small shop in Padaviya Junction of Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka. Before obtaining loan from HelpAge TEA Programme, she and her son together used to run their shop in a small scale. She took vocational training on school bags and hand bag making conducted by HelpAge Sri Lanka as she wanted to expand her business. Simultaneously, her son got married and her daughter-inlaw started supporting her to make bags. But then, they didn t have enough money to buy materials. Then she applied for livelihood loan from Isipathana Senior Citizen Committee (Junior Partner of TEA Programme working under HelpAge Sri Lanka) and obtained Rs.10, She used that money to buy materials in order to expand her business. Now they are running their business with profit. Says, they can earn Rs ,000 per day. Wimalawathie is now happy with her business and is thankful to HelpAge Sri Lanka TEA Programme for assisting her livelihood. There is no other organisation providing finance facilities for elders, added more. She highlighted that older persons can also contribute to economy of the country. For further detail on HelpAge Sri Lanka, write to: M.S. Chaminda De Silva, Programme Manager chminda@helpage.lk House # 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Page 16 of 16

18 GSI NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT GSICON th International Conference of Geriatrics & Gerontology Organized by Geriatric Society of India & Influenza Foundation of India November 2013 Hotel Clarion Collection Qutub, New Delhi Organizing Chairpersons Organizing Secretary Finance Secretary Dr. M.V. Jali & Dr. A.K.Prasad Dr. O. P. Sharma Dr. Garima Handa TOPICS TO BE COVERED Cardiovascular Disorders Interventions Cancers Minimal Access Surgery Diabetes Mellitus Nephrology Respiratory Disorders Sleep Disorders Urological disorders Neurological disorders Physiotherapy Advances Joint Replacement Rheumatological Disorders Life Style Modifications Yoga / Nutrition Family Physician in Care of Elderly Nursing Care Social and Legal issues Mental Health DELEGATE FEE CATEGORIES UPTO 15 th OCT 2013 SPOT REGISTRATION *GSI MEMBERS INR2500/- INR3500/- *NON MEMBERS INR 3000/- INR 3500/- *PG STUDENTS INR 2000/- INR 3500/- *NURSES INR2000/- INR 3500/- *INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES $ 275 $ 375 ABSTRACTS Abstracts of papers must be sent at Conference Secretariat before 15th September CONVOCATION 19th Convocation Ceremony Geriatric Society of India on 17th November 2013 Secretariat: K 49, Green Park MainNew Delhi opsharma.gsi@gmail.com Visit us: 28 IJGC January-April 2013 Vol 2. No. 1