No full-stops at 60!

No wonder the elderly people here are a spirited lot. And not just because they have a place entirely of their own. Unlike Delhi, Mumbai and other metros, Chandigarh continues to be warm and steady. Also, though crime rate has increased here in the past few years a sure sign of a developing city situation isn8217;t as bad. People are by and large secure.

True, this little over 30-year-old City has changed in the past few years, but it isn8217;t time yet for the City8217;s senior citizens to feel threatened. For one, there is little or no financial dependence on any relative as most 60-plus persons here are pension-drawing, retired civil and defence service officers. They8217;re people who8217;ve commanded respect all their lives and are not willing to waive off the feeling of effectiveness just because they8217;ve retired.

Second, the City8217;s administration and many voluntary organisations are genuinely concerned about this wealth, which has given society all it could in its prime. These organisations realise that just because age has caught up with them doesn8217;t mean that they8217;ve lost the spirit. In fact, a lot of them have more zing in them than all the region8217;s youth put together.

However, while the spirit is commendable, age does need some help. That8217;s where the city police pitched in through a unique scheme, HAPS Help the Aged Police Scheme. Under this the police adopted senior citizens above 58 years living without anybody to look after them. Originally an American concept, the scheme lends a sense of security and service to this quot;special classquot;.

Other than this, the Servants of the People Society has a Senior Citizens8217; Centre comprising 1,200 members. It holds regular medical programmes, seminars, picnics, and monthly birthday parties for elderly, even bed-ridden, members. In their own way, the 50-plus here solve the problems of the world. They have a well-equipped clinic with ECG, physiotherapy and X-ray machine and lab service. All tests are free.

The medical programme is conducted under an elderly Army doctor, Brig M L Kataria retd. Another member, Col K.C Kapoor retd goes about helping the less-privileged aged people all over town, from house to house 8212; on a bicycle! Tell me, how many of our young folks can do that?! Attempt is also made to bring children and elderly people together. It8217;s an encouraging example of elderly helping the elderly.

Passions run rife and the desire to give something more to society is strong. That8217;s what has one elderly soul running a school for the children of construction labourers in Sector 46. Then there8217;s the Adarsh Club, a 15-20 member organisation which meets every Sunday. It8217;s time well spent together. Other than this, the gurdwaras are other favourite spots where Chandigarh8217;s elderly are seen productively engaged.

The one at Sector 34 runs a Legal Aid Cell, a mini-hospital and an old-age home on the other side of Kharar. The Sector 8 one has a clinic 8212; again run by the City8217;s seniors. Besides these are many libraries and sector welfare societies. All have ample work for willing, elderly souls. No wonder few are willing to waste away in old age homes. The handful who8217;re living there rue at the sad conditions, poor food and absence of the a loving touch and kind word.

Today, trends might favour the teeny-boopers. But not at the cost of Chandigarh8217;s septuagenarians and octogenarians. They shall remain forever young, just like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. That8217;s the reality. And that8217;s the reason I believe the City will keep its senior citizens. But more than that, the senior citizens will not allow the changes to rob them of the purposeful spirit that burns inside them 8212; in spite of age!The writer is working as a Sub-Editor with The Indian Express.