A busy life going by the clock. And suddenly before one has realised it, age has caught up. Time then to dust that grandpa?s chair and sit on it and watch TV programmes mindlessly or go for walks and meet with similar ?retired? folks at the garden corner reserved for them. For most senior citizens this is perhaps the norm.
Madhav Namjoshi, who retired as a deputy chief officer at a bank, chose to be different. He decided to step out and join an organisation, Dignity Foundation, where he is involved in several activities. Dignity Foundation, an NGO works for and with senior citizens drawing upon their knowledge, skills and experience. ?It felt a bit strange to be addressed as chacha by children once I retired. Just a few years ago, I was part of the working population and had a busy day. The moment one retires, the picture changes,? he says.
For the first time, Namjoshi is working with municipal sweepers and counsels senior citizens who use the Foundation?s helpline for their domestic and psychological problems.
It was a sociologist, Dr Sheilu Sreenivasan, whose idea gave birth to the organisation. Sreenivasan, says, unlike in the West where there is a fixed age for ?productive ageing?, in India some organisation retire their employees at 55, while others at 59, et al. ?The scientific basis for the Dignity Foundation is to keep the mind and body active. Just like the aphorism of the West, we too say, use it or lose it. Use the mind and body and remain active.?
Endorsing Dignity Foundation?s philosophy, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has pitched in to launch ActivAge with the foundation. Launched on World Elder?s Day on October 1, the programme aims to help the 50 plus to be involved in activities that will help them lead a holistic post-retirement life.
Says Shikha Sharma, CEO & MD, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, ?While our strengths lie in providing financial solutions in the retirement space, the Foundation provides a platform for senior citizens to explore opportunities to keep them engaged.?
For most senior citizens who have led an active working life, a life without a job has brought about its own problems. A prospect of a job even now is exciting, for some. They can hope to get back into the workforce with the launch of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and Dignity Foundation?s website on second careers. Once they upload their resumes, prospective employers can access it bringing them back to an active working life. One of the programmes recently introduced after the tie up is chai masti. At the foundation?s office in Mumbai, senior citizens let their hair down from Monday-Friday between 4 pm and 6 pm after a cup of tea and snacks, busy in various quiz, music and drawing competitions. Namjoshi feels fulfilled with a life that offers him a choice to lead it his way. ?There is so much to look forward to everyday.?