Broken families, vanishing support systems and children going abroad to purse careers seem to be the order of the day.
Little do the youngsters realise that elders have rich experience and knowledge to pass on to them. As a result, more and more seniors end up in old age homes. The elders also don’t have the power to protect their rights.
Keeping these harsh realities in mind, Sri Sankara Nagar Senior Citizens Forum, Pammal, was formed in March 2011 to safeguard senior citizens and their rights. ∝Having been started by just four members, T.G. Loganathan (president), M. Subramanian (secretary), M.H.V.S. Rama Rao (treasurer) and E. Subramanian (vice-president), the Forum has now grown by leaps and bounds.
With nearly 85 members, aged between 60 and 86 years, on its rolls, the Forum seeks to secure the welfare of seniors and also teach try to create awareness among the youth that elders are worthy of to respect and love. protect elders.
“Only a meagre amount of Rs.100 (annually) is collected as membership subscription from all its members,” said Loganathan.
“The members meet on the second day of every month at the Children’s Park, Sri Sankara Nagar, Pammal, at 6 p.m. The members whose birthdays fall in that month would be honoured with a memento and a shawl. In order to make them better informed informative and happier, music programmes, religious discourses and lectures on healthcare and healthy food habits and other senior citizens’ issues, will be conducted. Also, frequent health camps will be organised for the benefit of the elders,” E. Subramanian pointed out.
By way of entertainment, the Forum arranges a one-day trip to places of worship and picnic spots, once in six months, for the senior citizens as well as their family members.
Every year, on October 1, commemorating International Senior Citizens Day, the Forum honours senior citizens aged who are above 80. years. On the occasion, cultural programmes and lectures are organised. The Forum has also requested the State government to provide free bus passes to senior citizens. For details, contact T.G. Loganathan at 9445401941 and E. Subramanian at 9444874198.
