Finding sunset careers made easier

Governor H.R. Bhardwaj called upon the younger generation to "treat elders within their means to the best of their capacity"

Governor H.R. Bhardwaj launching a job portal for senior citizens in Bangalore on Monday. Photo: K.Murali Kumar

Governor H.R. Bhardwaj advised senior citizens to work for as long as they could, so as to be independent.

The Governor was speaking at the launch of www.nightingalesjobs60plus .com, a job portal for senior citizens, started as part of the Nightingales Medical Trust’s Jobs 60+ initiative, here on Monday.

While the Jobs 60+ centre, started about a year ago, trains senior citizens in computer and soft skills, and offers vocational training, the job portal aims to cater to senior citizens who wish to get themselves employed. Registration is free.

Mr. Bhardwaj spoke of how, at the age of 76, he does much of his own work, including polishing his shoes.

He rued the attitudinal change in Indian society, where elders are being neglected. “As kids, we were told that there is no society where elders are not respected…Now elders are treated like aayahs,” he lamented. He called upon the younger generation to “treat elders within their means to the best of their capacity”.

He also exhorted the government to provide welfare schemes and used the example of foreign countries where senior citizens are provided hot kitchens and nursing homes by the state.

Radha S. Murthy, managing trustee, Nightingales Medical Trust, spoke of how 88 per cent of the elderly here are not covered under any scheme.

Earlier, Mike Shah, chairperson, Nightingales Empowerment Foundation, said 1,037 senior citizens were registered on the portal.