Impact of the Agewell Foundation’s initiative
Agewell
(In Special Consultative Status with
the ECOSOC at United Nations since 2011)
In association with UN DPI
Impact of the Agewell Foundation’s
initiative:
Issues
Concerning Old Age included in Corporate Social Responsibility Provisions
Realizing the greater
disparity in social sector, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of
India has come up with ambitious mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility provisions
for corporate world. While going through these provisions, We at Agewell
Foundation found that in well-crafted
recommendations to the corporates for CSR provisions, while all other important
issues are included, the aspect of old age has somehow not been touched upon by
the Ministry. With no mention of issues concerning Old Age in CSR provisions,
all initiatives to assist old people could once again remain without patronage
& support from the corporate world.
Indeed, the Ministry had
completely ignored the ever growing population of older people, which has
already crossed 100 million mark in India and constitute almost 8.5% of the
total population of our country. Life span of older persons has also increased
remarkably over the past decades. Life expectancy at the age of 60 has
increased upto 20 years.
The cut
throat competitiveness in today’s human life, nuclear lifestyle and longer life
span in old age has made older people most vulnerable, deprived and isolated
like other disadvantaged sections of the society. They also need support
mechanisms in the form of Helplines, Voluntary Assistance, Interaction Cetnres,
Old Age Homes, Health and Legal services, Skill Development Training,
Opportunities for second career after retirement, Healthcare Givers, Advocacy
services along with continuous research about their needs & rights.
In view of this, Agewell
Foundation submitted a representation to the Hon’ble Minister for Corporate
Affairs Shri Sachin Pilot and requested him to review the emerging ground
realities of old people and include issues concerning old age in mandatory CSR
provisions set for corporate world. (Copy of the letter is enclosed)
Taking further its
intervention to advocate for Needs & Rights of Older Persons, Agewell
Foundation has also raised this issue with various channels of media
successfully. (Representative newspaper clippings are attached.)
With repeated follow up and
persistent efforts, finally Hon’ble
Minister for Corporate Affairs Shri Sachin Pilot the concerned authorities at the Ministry of
Corporate Affairs has decided to include issues concerning old age in the CSR
Bill. (Report appeared in the Hindustan Times on 21-9-2013 enclosed.)
At this occasion, Mr. Himanshu
Rath, Chairman of Agewell Foundation said, “Indeed its a welcome step taken
by Hon’ble Minister for Corporate Affairs
Shri Sachin Pilot. It
will certainly help the initiatives taken for the welfare and empowerment of
old people across the country by the non government organizations.”
www.agewellfoundation.org
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