Aasara – A ray of hope for elders

AASARA is a joint initiative of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and Help Age India, which has taken the responsibility of functioning as nodal agency to run in coordination with the other supportive groups. The program was launched on 30^th Aug, 2007. In this process, Aasara has created a platform for various welfare activities, discussions on various issues related to senior citizens that helped the senior citizens to come together as a collective force to mark their presence in the society.

So far Aasara is able to bring the number of senior citizens associations in Hyderabad to 129 from 15. All these associations affiliated to federations, such as Andhra Pradesh Senior Citizens Confederation (APSCCON) and Federation of Andhra Pradesh, Senior Citizens Council (FAPSCO), both the federations registered and active in the Andhra Pradesh and have very good network at district level.

The organization has focused more on grass root level work, creating awareness on the ID cards (so far issued 45,800), forming and organizing the groups of elder’s associations, conducting medical camps, identifying volunteers, organizing trainings/Orientation sessions to General and Professional volunteers. The organization has also given a lot of focus on the Day Care Centers in the city, as per the suggestion from the AASARA committee and requests from Senior Citizens Associations, We have established 75 day care centres for senior citizens.

In this regard, the organization has done a lot of ground work to find the place and right people to manage the Day care centers. It has also identified several other partners, NGOs, Institutions and agencies who are working for the cause and care of elders and committed to serve for elders, who could be a possible help in the Aasara process and have associated whenever and wherever it is necessary and given due recognition for their support.

One of the major focuses of Aasara helpline is the rehabilitation of the destitute elders. From the time of helpline inception, this has been the major focus and redressed the grievances and particularly shelter assistance process coordinated well and successfully networked with the Old Age homes in the city for transit process of destitute elders and also for permanent rehabilitation.

The organization is sure that it has created a strong platform for the senior citizens, but still needs to be strengthened at grass roots and the elders’ CBOs and has to build stronger network of senior citizens community.

(By Mrinal Lankapalli)

Project Co-ordinator,

Aasara – Senior Citizen’s Helpline-1253,

GHMC, Hyderabad

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