A new zeal and hope of living in the life of an elderly
India is the home to world’s second largest elderly population of which over 80% lives in Rural area with very limited or no access to social security and others benefits. Nidan has implemented in 2019 a very innovative project in 25 villages in 13 Panchayats of Karra block under Khunti district in the state of Jharkhand, with 5000 elderly men and women supported by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The purpose of this project was as follows –
- Enhance awareness level of elder persons on various Social Protection Schemes,
- Formation of elders group and nurturing them towards savings for financial stability while improving their financial status that leads towards building social capital,
- Helping all potential elderly towards access to Social Protection with special emphasis on OAP (Old Age Pension) scheme,
- Advocacy regarding concerns of elderly at different levels (District and State)
The project area was highly sensitive being Naxal affected ,lack of regular transportation facility, community people were alcoholic which took time to build trust and get support from the community. Most of the Elderly in the village did not have bank account and Aadhar card which is a pre-requisite to apply for Pension scheme.
We started program with three pronged approach of Awareness, Organize and access to Benefits. We empowered elderly and made them aware on Government schemes and their entitlements. We organized health camps for screening for cataract and linked with PVt and Govt hospitals. We established a Resource Center “SHARTHI CENTER” in block office campus with the support of Block Development Officer to increase awareness, access schemes and services which also included Counseling and Guidance to elderly. We also provided livelihood training on Mushroom cultivation, Poultry and Fisheries and linked them with Jharkhand Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society. This knowledge and training helped them to increase their income and become Self Reliant. We also develop a booklet about their issues and entitlements.
We promoted “Vridha Sangha” as a federation of Elderly Self Help Groups and established a model in 13 Panchyats of Karra block under Khunti district in the state of Jharkhand, which sustains itself. We are looking forward to replicate this model in other parts of country.
| In 25th village reach out to 5712 elders | |
| Linked with Old Age Pension schemes | 2725 |
| Individual bank account open | 543 |
| Ayushman Bharat schemes | 1390 |
| Check up in Health Camps | 2447 |
| Organized in Elderly Self Help Groups | 231 (19 ESHG) |
| Linked with Banks | 15 SHGs |
| Livelihood schemes | 105 |
| Others schemes | 304 |