We have so many people retiring every day - some by choice, some by organisation rules where they were serving, some forced by circumstances .... And still many of them have so much of energy and intentions to work further, if given an opportunity.
With the experience that these senior citizens have one must consider ways to harness the energy of these people for the welfare of needy, for serving the nation.
In our India, we can do so much, even without any government help, to help the community in which we live in. There are n numbers of voluntary organisations (NGOs as commonly called) - and many of them are doing really good work - they are always in the look out for volunteers. One can join them, after properly assesing their work and their need. Or else one can do it indiviudally or take a lead to form a group to take this further.
The whole idea is not to stay idle, or else besides people forget you or neglect you, it would take its toll on your health and the process to end of life will be difficult.
A friend told me of a retired person who dedicates his time in helping the neighbourhool with their issues with differnet agencies without any remuneration. This person has made a schedule for himself - on Mondays he will take all issues of neighbours, of say, electricity department - their bill payment or some clarification or excess billing and so on; similarly on Tuesdays' for municipal issues and so on. Now such an effort can be done any where by any one.
Today, with the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'Swachh Bharat', so much can be done in the surrounding that one lives in. If one starts, innumerable ideas will come to take this on a logical path. And we all know that 'Swachh Bharat' will lead to 'Swastha Bharat'. This single act of keaping the surrounding clean can help in so many ways.
Yesterday I floated this idea on my FaceBook account and so much of inputs are pouring in. All have one thing in common - that the energy of seniors must be made good use of.
A friend has suggested that there are so many professionals - engineers, doctors, architects, marketing experts etc. who can offer their services to organisations or individuals, to start-ups or whoever needs it. I am sharing his inputs here : "In Netherlands they have a project called PUM. This is operated by the relevant ministry, church and industry association. They have on roll retired senior people. They are sent across the globe to assist existing industry in upgrading. A similar project can be though of in India."
Another friend's views are being shared with you all : "I'm presently in Mumbai and go for morning walk. I find that each park has more than one group of senior citizens. But in absence of any agenda they just talk and waste their energy. I am sure every city and every park would have such groups.
My suggestion is not just a talk, there is already too much of it, but a concrete program preferably with some sort of tangible benefits would go a long way. This resource can be tapped for cleanliness, plantation, antipolution and other drives. Protection and care of senior citizens living alone itself is a big challenge. This resource can come very handy to man this."
Do send your feedback. And start doing... NEVER SAY RETIRE.
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