In the time of Zoom and webinars, elderly citizens overcome digital challenges to connect online, learn new skills

This year, the theme for World Elderly Day – celebrated on October 1 – is ‘Digital equity for all ages’

While pandemic-related lockdowns and other restrictions placed several challenges before elderly citizens, many of them used this time to become digitally literate. (Express photo by Shuaib Masoodi for representation)

Malati Dumbre, 74, a resident of Pune district’s Otur village, attends practically every webinar organised by senior citizen’s groups and ensures that she does not miss out on a single essay, dance or cooking competition. She has learnt how to operate her mobile and laptop, and now encourages other women in rural areas to participate in the online sessions.

Another keen participant of online classes is the increasingly digitally savvy Jyoti Sachade, 70, who is also the founder of Pune-based Mamata Charitable Foundation. Sachade wants to help the underprivileged as well as set up a day care centre ‘Aaji-Aajobachi Aaramkhurchi’, so that the elderly can engage in some kind of recreational activity. Sachade also ensures she remains digitally connected and organises free-of-cost classes on how to use a computer, among other activities, for the elderly.

Due to the many pandemic-related restrictions, the elderly in urban and rural India have faced several challenges. Many of them have, however, used this time to become digitally literate.

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Anjali Raje, executive director of International Longevity Centre-India, an organisation that works with the elderly, said their free-of-cost online sessions on art and craft, Origami projects, and even German language lessons have seen sizable attendance by the elderly.

‘Digital equity for all ages’ is this year’s theme for International Day for Older Persons, celebrated on October 1. “The theme affirms the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons,” said Raje.

The International Longevity Centre-India on Friday organised an unique ‘Online Happy Hours Cafe’ to mark the day.

“During the pandemic, we have been holding free-of-cost online sessions with experts sharing guidance on a variety of issues. Several elderly people have actively participated in these classes… such has been the response that some of the participants sent us decorations they had made for Ganesh festival, after attending classes for the same,” Raje added.

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Dumbre, who is the former president of Shri Muktai Mahila Senior Citizens’ Organisation, Otur, said it was very challenging to get women involved in the online learning process at the rural level. “However, everyone has a phone and with so many classes on how to use technology to communicate, we are having a fun experience. Every Tuesday, women in our village who want to attend participate in the webinar,” said Dumbre.

She said her day begins with practising yoga via online lessons, and ends with a zoom meeting or video call with some of her tech-savvy friends.

Vaibhav Tewari, CEO of Portea Medical — a home care medical service provider — said that due to nuclear families and the need for young family members to relocate for employment, this phase of digital equality for elders in the healthcare segment was also crucial. “We are creating a comprehensive digital-driven elderly care programme focussing on tier 2/3 towns and rural areas,” said Tewari.

The Federation of Senior Citizens of Maharashtra has also been active on this front and engaged several groups of senior citizens to participate in digital literacy classes.

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Meanwhile, ILC-India is conducting a survey on how senior citizens have taken on this challenge during the pandemic.

‘Improve Covid-19 immunisation coverage of elderly population’

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said greater efforts were required in the South-East Asia region to expand Covid-19 vaccination coverage among the older population, who remain at highest risk of severe disease and death from the virus. “The older population continues to be highly vulnerable in the ongoing pandemic. Protecting them against the deadly Covid-19 virus should be our priority,” she said.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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