My Mother, My Role Model

On 12th May, 2019 on the occasion of Mother's Day, I shared a post which I have written in the honour of my mother who has inspired me to be an empathetic, responsible and independent woman.

Do read the post and share your feelings for your mother with us at Senior Express- http://seniorexpress.in/social/mother-role-model/

Met by Destiny, Connected by Love

Sharing a beautiful couple story on Active Aging via Senior Express. This is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Gandhi who believes in living life fully and enjoying each and every moment happily together. They are a 67+ creative and talented couple who passionately pursue their interest in art, craft, dance, singing, socialising and travelling.

They met through their family, had an arranged marriage in 1973 and ever since their love has grown day by day. They are an inspiration and a role model to many young couples.

Let us read their story in Mr. K. M. Gandhi’s words - http://seniorexpress.in/health-fitness/met-destiny-connected-love/

An Inspiring Story of a Home Maker who is an Example of Active Ageing

Sharing a positive story of 62 years old Mrs. Surekha Laddha, a homemaker from Amravati whose life revolves around her family and the social work which she does for the underprivileged people in her area. She strongly believes that life is all about being happy and spreading happiness around.

Do read her full story and get inspired : https://bit.ly/2RtItzU

Happy New Year 2019!

Team Senior Express wishes you a very Happy and Healthy New Year 2019.

On this occasion sharing a beautiful poem, written and shared by our active contributor Mr. Bansal for all our friends and well wishers.

Intergenerational Bonding for Ageing with Dignity

We are happy to share that our founder Dr. Nidhi Mishra was recently invited as a Resource Person in a Sensitisation Programme on Inter-generational Bonding for the students of Kaveri College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Pune. The programme was organised by the Janaseva Foundation, which has been granted the status of Regional Resource & Training Centre by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.

Dr. Nidhi conducted an interactive session with the students on the topic “Intergenerational Bonding for Ageing with Dignity”, which was followed by some group and individual exercises which she designed mainly to sensitise students about ageing related issues and concerns. She was very happy to see the enthusiasm with which the students participated in the exercise.

This session was a small step from Dr. Nidhi and Senior Express towards bursting the myths related to ageing among the students and thereby building intergenerational bonding and promoting Ageing with Dignity in our society.

Read More: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/intergenerational-bonding-promoting-ageing-dignity/

97 and Still Rocking!

Sharing an inspiring story of 97 year old Mr. P.M. Daniel from Mumbai, who is full of life and energy.

His story is written and shared by his granddaughter Ms. Smita Vahadane, 30 year old adventurous spirit who currently lives in New York and works for a leading TV channel.

Smita shares a very special bond with her grandfather, whom she fondly calls 'Dadu'. She is full of admiration for him which is very much evident in the story written by her. Their relationship is one of the best examples of inter-generational bonding.

Read full story: http://seniorexpress.in/health-fitness/97-still-rocking/

Press Coverage of Elders’ Day Event

Team Senior Express is happy to share that our World Elders’ Day Event celebration which we had organised in collaboration with Sangam Sarvajanik Sewa Samiti Pune, has got a coverage in prominent Marathi newspapers. Attached are the newspaper clippings.

We are glad that media is also showing keen interest in publishing news related to active ageing and inter-generational bonding which have an important role to play in the development of our society.

World Elders' Day Event, 2018

On 1st October, 2018, to mark the World Elders’ Day, Senior Express in collaboration with Sangam Sarvajanik Sewa Samiti, Pune organised a one day event bringing together the themes of active ageing and inter-generational bonding.

Around 400 seniors, youth and school children came together in this day long celebration and participated with great vigour and excitement. People across generations gave wonderful performances. Each performance was unique and amazing in its own way.

On special demand by those who couldn’t attend it and our well wishers spread across the country, Senior Express team has decided to share videos, photographs and information on each of the programs over a span of this month, so that everyone can get a flavour of it.

Originally published at: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/world-elders-day-event-2018/

Happy Teachers' Day

Senior Express wishes all teachers a very Happy Teachers’ Day.

On this occasion sharing interesting information about famous mentors/teachers in India (and Indian mythology). This information is compiled by our contributor Mr. Bansal, a 70+ active senior from Noida.

Originally published at:http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/happy-teachers-day/ 

A Session on Promoting Elder Friendly Environment

It was a great honour for us as our founder Dr. Nidhi Mishra was again invited by the Salisbury Senior Citizens Club, Pune to conduct one more interesting session on topics related to Positive Ageing for their members.

Dr. Nidhi conducted an interactive session on Promoting Elder Friendly Environment for the club members. The purpose of the session was to create awareness on physical and psycho-social characteristics of elder friendly environment and ways to promote it.

She was happy to see the enthusiasm with which the club members actively participated in the session.

Read More: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/session-promoting-elder-friendly-environment/

Meet the 71+ Avid Poet from Noida, India

Sharing another inspiring story on active ageing in India via Senior Express  www.seniorexpress.in

This is a positive story of Mr. G.D. Bansal, 71+ avid poet from Noida who believes that life is all about keeping oneself positive and active.

Mr. Bansal is a true poet at heart. In his own words he says:

मैं एक कवि हूँ | मैं हमेशा से हिन्दी साहित्य का विद्यार्थी रहा हूँ , सो मेरी आरम्भ से ही हिन्दी में लेख लिखने , कविताएँ लिखने व वाद विवाद प्रतियोगिताओं में भाग लेने की रूचि रही है |

मैं दिल से एक कवि हूँ और लगभग 35 वर्षो से कविताएं लिख रहा हूँ | मैं अपनी कविताओं की प्रेरणा अपने चारो तरफ घटित होने वाली सामाजिक, सांस्कृतिक, राजनीतिक और पर्यावरण सम्बंधित बातों से लेता हूँ |

मुझे जहाँ भी अपनी कविता सुनाने का अवसर मिला है मैंने उसमे पुरे मन से भाग लिया है और कई बार पुरस्कृत भी हुआ हूँ |

At Senior Express we promote the talents and creativity of Seniors who are an example of active and productive ageing. Do read his full story and get inspired- https://bit.ly/2M7gbZo

Happy 72nd Indian Independence Day

Senior Express wishes all Indians a very Happy Independence Day. On this occasion, sharing a touching and thought provoking poem written by our very active contributor Mr. Bansal, a 71+ avid poet from Noida.

At Senior Express (www.seniorexpress.in) we believe that Independence means freedom to live a meaningful and active life with dignity.  We are working on this mission by highlighting the talents and creative expressions of our talented seniors like Mr. Bansal and thereby promoting active and productive ageing in India.

A plantation drive by people across different generations

It was an amazing experience to watch the inauguration of the second plantation drive of Tuscan Society, Pune, which was done by the senior citizens of the society.

Along with planting a tree with my daughter, I witnessed a unique inter-generational activity where seniors and youngsters, especially kids actively participated in tree plantation drive and did something meaningful for the society. All in all, one Sunday morning well spent.

The bonding between juniors, seniors and mother  nature was a very unique experience. And also one of the best inter-generational activities I have seen so far.

We should encourage more such initiatives for enhancing intergenerational bonding and making our future generation more environmentally responsible citizens of the society.

Senior Express (http://www.seniorexpress.in) is an initiative to promote active ageing and inter-generational bonding in India. We consider it as our professional social responsibility to highlight and promote such endeavours for inspiring others to follow the same.

Originally published at: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/plantation-drive-people-across-different-generation/

Role of Architecture in Promoting Active Ageing

Felt honoured to be invited as a Trainer for the Training program organised by Dr. D.Y. Patil School of Architecture, Pune, for the faculty members of various architecture colleges across India.

This was a unique interdisciplinary training program focusing on the role of Architecture in promoting Active Ageing.

The 2 sessions which I took were focussed on:
1. Environmental Gerontology & Architecture
2. Promoting Ageing in Place & Elder Friendly Environment

Was encouraging to see the active participation and keen interest shown by the participants during the sessions and group exercises.

Read More: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/training-program-architecture-ageing/

Age Defying Role Model

Sharing another inspiring story via Senior Express on Active Ageing in India. This is the story of Mr. Shivnandan Ramrao Rao,  an 86 year young and enthusiastic professional from Thane, Maharashtra.

Do read his fitness mantra in his own words  

My day begins at 6 am sharp. The first thing I do is Pranayam followed by Yoga every day. I have also been doing Jala Neti for 30 years which helps keeps my sinus clear, no headaches and mental stress as it benefits us by removing the excess heat out of our brain. 

My house is at 3rd floor and I need to climb at least 3 to 4 times a day. We do not have a lift. Every morning I go for a walk of 3 km. I prefer to walk as it is faster in the traffic and it helps me keep active. Besides exercising I feel a good and balanced diet is very essential for anyone to keep fit. 

I have been suffering from Diabetes since 1976 but due to exercise and controlled diet and leading a disciplined routine, I have been able to keep my sugar level under control. I feel that to lead a Healthy and Active life one must eat everything in moderation, exercise regularly, think positive and must go for regular health checkups. 

When I retired at the age of 61 from Colour Chem, I had thought of continuing to work for few more years. But didn’t realised that I would be working even today at the age of 86. I will continue to do so as long as my health permits and I can travel alone. My consultancy work also requires travel outside Mumbai 4 to 5 days in a month. 

My wife passed away in March 2012 and since then I live alone at Thane. Both my daughters wanted me to come and live with them but since my health permits and all my friends, my bank related work etc is all based in Thane I decided to continue living here. Living alone means maintaining the house which is a full time job. I am enjoying this new role though I do miss my wife and other family members. 

I am a very social person and have lots of friends and most of my friends have been there with me in all stages of my life. I still meet my school, college and Colour Chem friends and often go out for picnics with them. 

Earlier I was not very fond of the new technology maybe because I thought I would not be able to cope with it but since the time I have been using the smart phone, I have been able to keep in touch with family and friends through WhatsApp. I surf the internet for interesting news articles, and work related material. All this keeps me socially and mentally active.

Read his full story at: http://seniorexpress.in/social/age-defying-role-model/

Happy Doctor’s Day 2018

Today on National Doctor’s Day, Senior Express wishes all dedicated and passionate doctors a very happy Doctor’s Day as they are the one who are spending an essential amount of their time and energy in the promotion of our health and wellbeing.

On this occasion we would like to thank our active contributor Dr. Ashok Mishra, a 69+ General Physician (MBBS Doctor) from Allahabad. For him his medical practice is not only a profession but also a means to do welfare service towards the disadvantaged section of the society. He has been treating patients since 1975 and for him his profession is an essential part of his life which keeps him physically, mentally and spiritually active.

Every day he travels 120 km by road to see his patients and listen to their problems, personal challenges and hardships. Some of his patients are from the economically weaker section of the society who come for free consultation. He treats them with full dedication and never shows any discrimination against them. He believes that this is a part of his professional social responsibility which instills in him a sense of self fulfillment.

We salute him and other doctors like him who are dedicating their time and energy in the development of the society.

Originally published at: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/happy-doctors-day-2018/

Enjoying Life Together in their 80s

Sharing a positive story of Mr. and Mrs. Waman Jog who are voluntarily staying in an old age home and are living a happy and active life together.

They say : Though we have children, we took a decision to spend rest of our life in old age home. For the last 15 years we are staying in an old age home in Pune. Both of us and our children are very happy with that decision and we are going to stay here till the end.

They make conscious efforts to enjoy their life in the old age home and also try to involve other residents in making everybody’s stay more enjoyable.

Do read their story and get inspired by their passion to live life fully: http://seniorexpress.in/social/age-defying-role-model/ 

A conference on “Ageing in India: Present Situation & Futuristic Perspective”

On 26th April 2018, Dr. Nidhi Mishra, Founder-Senior Express, was invited as a Chairperson for a technical session “Issues of Ageing Population: Gender, Health, Economic, Social” for a National Conference on “Ageing in India: Present Situation & Futuristic Perspective”, organized by the Department of Social Work, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune.

There were total 5 paper presentations done in the technical session chaired by Dr. Nidhi which were ranging from psychological distress in geriatric population, family and health issues among the residents of old age homes, socio-economic problems of elders from rural areas, social media and senior citizens and geriatric issues from a nursing professional’s perspective.

In the end of the session Dr. Nidhi summarized the session and gave her feedback on each and every presentation and suggested the presenters to focus on the methodology and implication of their respective studies for doing a need based research for seniors.

Originally published at: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/conference-ageing-india-present-situation-futuristic-perspective/

A Session on Active and Healthy Ageing

On 23rd February 2018, Founder of Senior Express, Dr. Nidhi Mishra was invited by the Salisbury Park Senior Citizens Group, Pune to conduct a session on Active and Productive Ageing for their members.

She conducted an interactive session with the group members, where she discussed the concept of active, productive and healthy ageing and its major dimensions through certain exercises, shared some important tips for ageing gracefully and made the members play some brain games. According to Dr. Nidhi (Gerontologist), brain games are an important mental exercise which keeps a mind active and a body fit. She recommends that everyone must do some kind of mental exercises or play certain brain games in order to lead an active and healthy life ahead.

It was a lively session where the members took part in the interactions, clarified their concept of active ageing by asking questions and enjoyed playing brain games.

Originally published at www.seniorexpress.in

A Session on Active Ageing

On 1st September 2017, Senior Express has conducted a session on Active Ageing for the senior residents of Tuscan Estate, Kharadi, Pune, India. The session was conducted both in English and Hindi by our Founder Dr. Nidhi Mishra, where she discussed the concept of Active Ageing through various exercises and shared certain tips for staying active and ageing gracefully and positively as one moves beyond 60s.

Here are few snapshots of the session.

Read more about the session: http://seniorexpress.in/forums/topic/a-session-on-active-ageing/