New Beginnings to 2015 at Dignity

Apr 6, 2015

715

New Beginnings to 2015 at Dignity — **Padma Shri Sudha Motwane sings for residents of Dignity Lifestyle Retirement Township.**

Inner Wheel Club of Bombay Gifts Ambulance for residents use at Dignity Lifestyle.

MUMBAI:

In December 2014, the Inner Wheel Club of Bombay (IWC) held its General Body Meeting (GBM) during a visit of its lady members to Dignity Lifestyle, a retirement township in Neral, with the idea of spreading cheer to the residents there. While interaction over lunch was both enjoyable for the residents and informative for the ladies, the musical performance arranged by the IWC was the highlight of the day. Padma Shri Sudha Motwane was the star and her singing to the accompaniment of her harmonium as well as a tabla played by a key staff at Dignity, encouraged the residents too to come forward and render a few songs. While the event brought life and merriment to a retired community, the smiles were due not only to the Santa hats and cakes distributed but also because of the attention to detail shown by IWC President Rupali Sen and IWC PP Sweta Vakil. The event came to an end with the presentation of cheques of around Rs. 5.64 lakhs to Dignity Lifestyle Trust for the purpose of purchasing an Ambulance. The Team of three Innerwheel functionaries headed by Indira Kotak, wife of the Kotak Group Founder Suresh Kotak, Sweta Vakil and Rupali Sen later visited Dignity Foundation head office in Byculla and met President Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan to handover the remaining number of cheques for the Ambulance purchase to Dignity Lifestyle Trust. Indiraji’s philanthropic bent of mind, and interest in social work ventures were impressive. Other donors for the Ambulance, (costing Rs. 10.75 lakhs) are Lalita and Dilip Gupte, the first very supporters for the idea, and Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Ltd.

MUMBAI:

Dignity Foundation in conjunction with Zee24Taas Channel conducted a debate on the current hot topic of Companionship and Marriage for Senior Citizens on February 12 at Manav Seva Sangh, Sion. Called Second Innings Parishad it was presided over by Dr Sandeep Jadhav- Senior Psychiatrist, Mr. Warunjikar – Advocate High Court, Samata Kalra – Representative of Dignity Foundation and Chaya Bhiwandkar – a Dignity member who has had a remarriage after the death of her first husband. The event was well-attended and many myths regarding the topics were cleared by the experts present.

MUMBAI:

33 members of Chembur Chai Masti Centre celebrated Valentine’s Day at Chembur Gymkhana over lunch on February 13. Post lunch, the members played a lively game of housie and had a lucky draw in the end. All members were elated with the celebrations that further deepened their bonds of friendship.

DIGNITY EFFORTS

80 year-old Biloo Adenwalla’s case resolved

The case of 80-year-old senior citizen Biloo a resident of Tardeo, who was harassed by her own nephew and his wife, was aptly resolved by Dignity Foundation. Biloo, a practising lawyer who stayed alone was hospitalised for 6 months during which time her nephew’s wife Zara requested her for accommodation. The reason being Zara’s constant fight with her husband. Biloo showed sympathy to Zara and offered her shelter only to find out post her return from the hospital that Zara’s behaviour had changed towards her. Not only was Zara harassing her but was stealing her clothes and jewellery as well. Unable to cope with Zara’s harassment, Biloo approached Dignity Foundation Helpline for Senior Citizens with her neighbour Rustom. On the advice of a social worker they further approached the nearest police station for help. The police quick in action warned Zara and her husband to evacuate Biloo’s house immediately and gave them a strict warning to refrain from entering her house or causing her any trouble.

House for Duraikan

72-year-old widow Mrs N Duraikan lived in a rented house at Gopalapuram, Chennai and was unable to walk without a walker. She had three sons none of whom were living in Chennai and she was eagerly on the lookout to find a better house than the one she currently lived in since it was infested with white ants. Our Social Worker from Chennai personally went out of the way to meet brokers, friends, well-wishers and arranged for a few houses to be shown to her. She finally settled on a decent place on the ground floor at Chokalingam Nagar, Teynampet. Duraikan’s son who lives in Mumbai too approved of the flat, and the lady is finally moving in next week.

Help at hand for Gupta

63-year-old Dr L Vani a resident of MRC Nagar, Chennai and a retired professor from Ethiraj College, Chennai called the Dignity Helpline requesting counselling for her 68-year-old husband Lakshmanan Gupta. The latter used to remain depressed and even more worried due to his weakening economic situation. Our Social Worker met Gupta and counselled him by promising to stand by his side during any crisis. Dr Vani who phoned us to say he was feeling better once again invited the social worker to visit her husband.

Problems of Seniors solved in Kolkata

Minati Bhattacharya, a 65-year-old widow, who resides along with her brothers in her father’s home in Kolkata called Dignity Foundation for help claiming that she was being constantly harassed and threatened by her own brothers and nephews. She stays that while she stays separately in one part of the house of the premises her brothers along with their families reside in the other. A Social Worker paid a visit to Mrs Bhattacharya’s place and talked to her brothers and their wives on the complaints against them. They instead denied the allegations and informed the Social Worker that Mrs Bhattacharya too fights and argues unnecessarily with them over trivial matters and appears to have adjustment issues. The Social Worker then discussed this issue with both and convinced them to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in order for them to stay amicably in the same premises together. The Social Worker also discussed the matter with a local Mahila Samiti and asked them to monitor the situation since Mrs Bhattacharya stayed alone. Mrs Bhattacharya reported to the Foundation that after the Social Worker’s visit the situation was under control and that the members of the Samiti are also cooperating with her whenever required.

69-year-old Tushar Mallick who suffers from severe depression called the Kolkata Dignity helpline with his problem. He said that he has been staying alone ever since his wife shifted to Bangalore with their daughter nine months ago. He claims that while his wife refuses to come back to Kolkata, he is scared of leaving the city for fear of becoming rootless. The constant loneliness on the other hand has led to acute depression. Our Social Worker counselled him and suggested him to join our DF to get a normal flow of life. Mr Mallick has become now a member of DF and is regularly attending computer and yoga classes and Chayer Adda. He has been in touch with other members of the Adda and often calls up the Social Worker whenever he feels lonely.

All names in above cases are changed for privacy purposes

PUNE:

Industrialist Surendra Shroff visited the Pune chapter of Dignity Foundation at Kalyani Nagar to show off bag-making techniques to Dignitarians. Shroff who is the Chairman of Preserve Planet Earth Committee and has developed these eco-friendly bags has been teaching this art by conducting over 400 workshops across the country. Since these bags are environment friendly and biodegradable, Shroff believes that their frequent use can help eliminate a variety of problems such as choking of drainage system in cities. Members who participated in learning how to make these bags vowed to teach their grandchildren as well.

New Beginning to 2015 at Dignity — **Library racks stacked up with contributed books**

CHENNAI:

Dignity Foundation Library – an exclusive library for senior citizens was inaugurated on February 9 at Ellaiamman Colony, Teynampet in Chennai by Prof. K. Aludiapillai (Retd) IAS officer. Noted playwright, novelist and columnist Shreekumar Varma and Tamil novelist columnist Lakshmi Ramanan were felicitated at the ceremony which was attended by 50 seniors. The library has over 700 books on all topics donated by book lovers from their personal collection. Chief Dignitarian, Sundera Gopalan, Anandkumar, SV Ramanathan, Balachander, Annadhurai, Gayathri Mohan and Sunderamoorthy took special interest in setting up this library.

**Members of Versova Chai Masti Centre participating in the festivities**

Versova Chai Masti Centre completed four years of life enrichment activities. It celebrated its fourth anniversary in unique way. The function held on November 26, 2014 at Premium Tower Society’s Hall, Old Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri from noon till evening was a different experience for the members who sang, danced, played games, showed off their talents plus feasted on a scrumptious lunch. A variety entertainment programme by professionals too was showcased followed by members narrating their stories on how they lived with dignity.