Help Age India: Fighting isolation, poverty & neglect

HelpAge India is secular, not-for-profit organization registered under the Societies' Registration Act of 1860. We were set up in 1978, and since then have been raising resources to protect the rights of India's elderly and provide relief to them through various interventions.

We voice the needs of India's 90 million (current estimate) "grey" population, and directly impact the lives of lakhs of elders through our services every year.

• We advocate with national & local government to bring about policy that is beneficial to the elderly.
• We make society aware of the concerns of the aged and promote better understanding of ageing issues.
• We help the elderly become aware of their own rights so that they get their due and are able to play an active role in society.

Turning back the pages

The origins of HelpAge India go back to the late 1960s when the then speaker of the Lok Sabha visited his counterpart in the House of Commons(UK), who was also honorary secretary of an organisation called Help The Aged. He came back with a vision of setting up something similar in India.

But it took 7 years for this vision to take shape. In March 1974, when Mr. Jackson Cole, founder of HelpAge International visited India, an intrepid philanthropist named Samson Daniel approached him for financial help to set up a member organisation in Delhi. A far-sighted man, Mr. Cole instead offered to train him to raise funds. After a three month training course in London, Mr. Daniel and his wife returned to India and organised a sponsored walk with schoolchildren in Delhi. It was so successful that in 1975 HelpAge International recruited more staff to cover Bombay, Madras and Calcutta.

HelpAge India was on its way

In April 1978, HelpAge India was registered in Delhi. Within three months it became autonomous as financial support ceased from UK. Soon after, in July, the Society was awarded Certificates of Exemption under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, thus indicating general confidence in the Society’s affairs.

The Torch bearer for the Cause

It is difficult to talk about HelpAge India, without the mention of the Mr. M.M. Sabharwal, OBE, and now Padma Shri holder, who has been a virtual backbone to the organization and still holds that in good stead. He joined HelpAge India in 1981, as a member of the Governing body, after a very successful career in the corporate world.


HelpAge was then in its infancy and he was elected as President in 1985, then in 1998 he stepped down from his role to be re-elected again in 2003. Mr. Sabharwal initiated the setting up of the MMU programme and eye camps for the elderly for the first time. His commitment to the cause made HelpAge achieve the status of Premier Charity. He has also been closely associated with the formulation of National Policy of Older Persons. Today, as President (Emeritus) Mr. Sabharwal at 85 plus, is an inspiration for all.

MISSION

To work for the cause and care of disadvantaged older persons and to improve their quality of life.

THE WAY FORWARD

HelpAge is integrating it’s programmes and services, and consciously moving from welfare towards development and long term sustainability for seniors. HelpAge is working closely with Senior Citizen Associations and encouraging seniors to speak up for their own rights. In our continuing fight against poverty, isolation and neglect of elders in our society, we have made significant strides.  The aim is to help elders rebuild their own lives and take charge of their own future, restoring within them a sense of self worth & confidence.


Advocacy is one of the strongest tools for impact and change; it is gaining impetus with sensitization of school principals, urging them to include Value Education on Age Care in school curriculums. In order to create a secure financial net for elders HelpAge is also pushing forth Reverse Mortgage for seniors. To deal with the rising crime against elders, an awareness campaign was launched sensitizing decision makers to take action.


In many cities our Elder Helplines (1253) have been working to address the loneliness and neglect of elders.  The plan is to taking Age Care to many new locations.  Physiotherapy Centres have been set up in Shimla, Dehradun, Kolkata and many other locations.  The scope of medical care has expanded tremendously moving from basic health care to other specific areas of age care.

Source: HelpAge India