Vote bank is the only solution for the problems of senior citizens

Former Minister K. Vijaya Rama Rao

Hyderabad: “Senior citizens can solve their problems only with the strength of their vote bank. They can influence politicians and political parties only with the ultimate weapon - the vote bank” said K. Vijaya Rama Rao, former minister and Telugu Desam Party leader. Thousands of senior citizens, living in the greater Hyderabad, participated in the protest rally held at Indira Park on 16^th August, wearing black badges.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Rama Rao expressed his surprise that he ever saw such a huge number of senior citizens participating in the protest. “Most of the ministers in both state as well as central government are aged. But, it is unfortunate to observe that they are indifferent towards the problems of the senior citizens. The conditions of senior citizens, who retired from unorganized sector is more pitiable” added K. Vijaya Rama Rao.  He gave a call to the participants to organize even poor senior citizens. He assured that his Telugu Desam Party will extend its help towards the salvation of the problems of senior citizens. Mr. Rao appreciated the peaceful rally held by the senior citizens.

Speaking in the meeting, Mr. K.Nageswar, M.L.C. said the government must use the senior citizens’ experience and services for the betterment of the society. He lamented that some of the higher officers in the government expressed their ignorance about the laws of senior citizens. He further told in the meeting that recently he asked a question in the legislative council about the plight of aged people in the state. He received a written reply from the government that none of the aged persons are facing any problem. He expressed his concern about investing pension funds in the stock market. It is the duty of civil society to respect the senior citizens in the country and he assured that he would try to rise the debate in the council about the problems of aged people in the state.

Addressing the gathering, former Chief Justice of A.P. High court A. Laxmana Rao said that we formed senior citizens federation in the state nearly about ten years ago but, we failed to spread the movement to the gross root level of the society. He appealed to the senior citizens associations to unite the aged people of rural areas on non political basis. He said that health problems are the major concern for the aged people. Hence, the government should evolve a suitable health policies similar to the AROGYA SRI policy. He further added that senior citizens must try to influence the political parties at time of elections to implement welfare programmes for aged.

Emotionally speaking in the meeting, Mr. Vuppala Gopala  Rao, founder president of Greater Hyderabad Senior Citizens council, said
“Today, his dreams have come true  after seeing the gathering  of senior citizens in the protest.  He expressed his joy over the gathering of thousands of senior citizens, coming forward for the implementation of their legitimate rights. He criticized the indifference of the government towards the problems of senior citizens. He also appealed to the senior citizens to work for the welfare of the poor among aged people and try to strengthen the movement in the state.

Speaking in the meeting, Mr. A. Ramulu, President, A.P. State Govt. Retired Employees’ Association said “Out of five lakh retired employees, we made a membership of 4.5 lakh retired employees our association”. He supported the demands of senior citizens, who participated in the meeting and promised that he would extended his full co-operation to the movement.

Mr. R.N. Mittal, president of A.P.Senior Citizens Confederation, in his welcome address, explained the plight of the senior citizens in the country and the demands of the aged people. He said that during the last two years the confederation submitted number of memorandums to central and state governments for implementing NPOP in all the states. But, he said that he did not receive any response from the government. Disappointed with the indifferent attitude of the government, the confederation finally decided to observe a nation wide protest day on August 16, 2010.

Mrs. Punyavathi, CPI[M] Women‘s wing leader, Loksatta  leader Mr. satya narayana, Mr.S. Dass, Joint Director, Andhra Pradesh  Help Age India, and others also addressed the meeting. Prof.V.Visweswaraiah, General Secretary, also spoke in the meeting. Mr. V. Nageswara Rao coordinated the meeting.

******

(This blog is the online version of "VOICE OF SENIOR CITIZENS", a monthly newspaper, a bilingual (Telugu & English), published from Hyderabad.

 If you want to become its subscriber,
Contact :
S. Bhooma Reddy,
Editor, VOICE OF SENIOR CITIZENS,
207, C-block, 3rd  Floor, PBR Estate,
Padma Colony, Nallakunta, Hyderabad-44.
Ph. No: 040-27625209
Mail  Id: silvercitizens@gmail.com

* This blog is run by CSR Technosoft, a Hyderabad based IT& ITES firm.
Contact: www.csrtechnosoft.blogspot.com