Dignity Foundation's intergenerational bonding through "Suraksha Bandhan"

Dignity Foundation celebrates October 1 - U.N's World Elders Day - as a day when very child in India will bond with its parents/grandparents and take a vow: "I protect your security with dignity"

Background

Dignity Foundation is witness to the rampant presence of the phenomenon of Elder Abuse, neglect and abandonment. Elders are not only lonely, depressed and isolated from the mainstream, but their vulnerability is rapidly exploited by their own children, domestic helps, landlords and neighbours, and other anti-social elements.

Dignity Helpline in each of the four cities receives calls from elders and their well-wishers relating their gruesome stories of torture, harassment and denial of legitimate rights of senior citizens in their own families.

Manned by professionally qualified Social Workers and Counsellors, the Helplines offer immediate counselling and follow-up services at the homes of the senior citizen. Ranging from psychological and emotional support and family counselling, Helplines offer police assistance, legal redressals, reconciliation techniques, and even an in-house "court hearing" where professional counsel to the aggrieved parties are delivered free of cost.

In a special Reconciliation Forum, retired judges and IPS officers hear out cases and offer solutions to the parties in conflict. There is no substitute to children taking care of their own parents. Reaching out to school children "Suraksha Bands" will be distributed to all schools to make children tie bands to their parents/grandparents.

The President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam commenced this programme in 2002. His message delivers hope and advice. Dignity Foundation holds the event every year in more and more schools added to the reach-out.

Dignity Foundation sends suraksha bands to schools. A covering letter addressed to the Principal explains what the Principal is expected to do. Children buy the band at Re.2 each. They take the band home and tie it to elders. The school arranges for students to give the proceeds of the sale of bands as donation to an Old Age Home nearby. This completes the sensitization exercise. Suraksha Bandhan 2007

Schools of Mumbai celebrated Suraksha Bandhan on World Elders Day on October 1. The Don Bosco group of schools this year had a very special Assembly for 20 minutes where children enacted a Skit choreographed by Raell Padamsee.