On 28/01/2010 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) of Government of India which looks after more then 90 million Senior Citizens has neglected and ignored important stake holders ,NGO’s and organization in Constitution of Committee to review the NPOP.
We appreciate government intention to review the NPOP but it’s sad to note that only 3 People from the entire country are made part of this very important committee. Also government has failed to communicate this with important stake holders, NGO’s working for /with Elderly, its looks like close door appointments. This creates suspicion in government intention. It’s about Representation to important stake holders. The parliamentary board – Standing Committee of MSJE and National Council for Older Person members are not informed. The process is not transparent.
There are important organization People all over India who are actively working for /with for Senior Citizens and their rights, ignoring them will be big mistake. Already the earlier NPOP which was formulate in 1999 could not be adopted and implemented for more than 11 years and now there was need to review the NPOP due to changed scenario of society and need of elderly.
Some of Important NGO’s /Organization which have been ignored are:
AISCCON – All India Senior Citizens Confederation
Association of Gerontology (India) (AGI)
NDIAN GERONTOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Society for Serving Seniors
Alzheimer’s and Related Disorder Society of India (ARDSI)
Harmony For Silver Foundation
International Longevity Center – India ( ILC-I)
Nightingale Medical Trust
Silver Inning Foundation
Center for Research on Ageing, Dept of Psychology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati
GERIATRIC SOCIETY OF INDIA
The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse , India(INPEA)
Indian Association of Geriatric Mental Health (IAGMH)
University of Third Age , U3A India
The All India Central Government Pensioners Association
Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj
All India Central Confederation of Pensioner Association
Agewell Foundation
Anugraha India
Indian Academy of Geriatrics
Development, Welfare and Research Foundation (DWRF)
The Family Welfare Agency
Professional Organization like:
Indian Medical Association (IMA)
Financial expert
Legal expert
WHO
Nursing Council
IGNOU
Indian Council of Social Science Research
TISS (Tata Institute of Social Science)
Medical Council of India
Indian Medical Association
Most important is the view of common Senior Citizens of India – poll, survey, debate, etc could be an effective method to know the practical needs of man on the street.
If government of India is serious about making an realistic NPOP which will benefit different segment of Elderly – young Old, Old Old , Very Old, then it should have progressive and positive mindset and include important stake holders and Senior Citizens themselves.
We are scared it will turn out to be another NPOP for just token for vote bank politics. Last NPOP was formulated in 1999 but not yet implemented for last 11 years.
Things have changed in last decade and there are many important people, organization who go unrepresented.
We can’t keep quiet, we have to raise voice against any misdeed,. Corruption, abuse of power………
Silver Inning Foundation strongly demands Ministry of MSJE to reconstitute/ extend the current committee to other very important stake holders for the benefits of millions of Elderly in India, please have inclusive policy and don’t discriminate the NGO’s and other important stake holders. We raise our objection on constituting of current small committee. An urgent step in this regards will be appreciated or else we will launch our nationwide protest.
Let’s work together for Right of Elderly.
Sailesh Mishra
Founder President – Silver Inning Foundation
Founder Secretary – ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter
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