Cyber Seniors

Speaking about the class Rege says,“The computer class that I have started in December mainly aims at empowering senior citizens who are scared and apprehensive about even touching a computer,fearign that something might go wrong. The inspiration for the same came from my mother-in-law whom I had helped to learn computers. So I decided to go ahead and start teaching other elderly citizens the same.”

The class called ‘Senior Netizens-Computer Classes for the Elderly’ is a ten day course that teaches the students the basics of a computer. Right from teaching them how to switch on a computer,to saving files,browsing the internet,chatting,sending emails all internet basics are taught in the duration. As Vaijanti,one of the students puts it,“I am now able to book my tickets online,chat and download messengers,pay my bills and do all those things that a couple of weeks back I thought only my children and grandchildren could do. It feels ncie to know that even we are in sync with the new generation.”

Rege says that the class which is a basics class doesn’t teach any programmes to the students. “All I teach during the ten days,si surfing the internet and using it to do basic everyday routines activiteis like most youngsters do these days. “I do not teach them softwares like Adobe PhotoShop,MS Office,or any other softwares as it becomes too much for them to grasp in sucha short duration. However if approached I’d love to teach the same to them,” she adds.

Mmanik Kotwal,another of Rege’s Student says,“I can now use the laptop comfortably for my presentations that I make to my students or to people while I am giving my lectures on personality development. It was plain scary initially but it is much more easier now. In fact in the future I am hoping to learn internet banking,and also to book tickets,and do online shopping.”

The Rs 600,ten day course might still bein its infacy days,but as Vaijanti,puts it,“I helped my daughter-in-law in Singapore by giving her effective tips using the internet to raise her newly-born,by giving her a list of do’s and don’t’s for the same. I don’t think I could have asked for more at this age,atleast,” she says.