As 2024 involves an finish, it’s a becoming time to replicate on the changemakers who left an indelible mark on India this 12 months. Amongst them are senior residents who, in a society that always overlooks the contributions of the aged, have stepped as much as encourage and remodel their communities. By way of their knowledge, resilience, and dedication, these people have led grassroots actions, preserved traditions, mentored the subsequent technology, and tackled urgent social points.
Listed here are the tales of 10 outstanding senior residents who turned their golden years right into a beacon of hope and optimistic change for India.
1. Laljibhai Prajapati
At 17, Laljibhai Prajapati, now 69, confronted the devastating lack of his imaginative and prescient as a result of glaucoma. However what may have been a barrier turned a springboard for change. Decided to stay a lifetime of goal, he realized braille, earned a level in arts, and went on to ascertain Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal in 1997.
The organisation has since change into a beacon of hope, offering shelter, healthcare, and rehabilitation for visually impaired aged people in Gujarat. His belief additionally runs faculties that embrace inclusivity for youngsters with disabilities. Even with a Nationwide Award for making a barrier-free atmosphere, Laljibhai insists there are miles to go.
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2. Dwijendra Nath Ghosh
After retiring, 76-year-old trainer Dwijendra Nath Ghosh devoted himself to uplifting his neighborhood in Basantpur, West Bengal. In 2010, he based Basantpur Junior Excessive Faculty to teach youngsters from underprivileged households. With scarce assets and no everlasting instructing workers, Ghosh has fought to maintain the college open for 140 keen college students. “The glimmer of hope for a greater future within the eyes of the kids is all of the wage I want,” he says with quiet delight.
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3. Dr Maya Tandon
At 87, retired anesthesiologist Dr Maya Tandon is proof {that a} single second can encourage a lifetime of change. After saving a photographer’s life following an accident, she realised the significance of equipping folks with lifesaving abilities.
In 1985, she established Sahayta Belief, an organisation that has since educated over 1,33,000 people in CPR and accident response. “His (the photographer’s) phrases and appreciation made me realise the significance of providing such programs,” she recollects. At the moment, her initiative continues to create a tangible affect, notably in rural areas.
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4. Mohammed Abdul Wohab and Sabitri Pal
In 1980, impressed by the plight of flood-stricken communities in West Bengal, Mohammed Abdul Wohab and Sabitri Pal based the SHIS Basis (Southern Well being Enchancment Samity) to carry healthcare to the Sundarbans’ remotest islands. They launched the Boat Clinic, a cell healthcare system that travels throughout 30 islands, providing important companies to underserved communities. Every boat is provided with medical beds, an X-ray unit, and a group of execs. Over 43 years, the clinic has handled over 8 lakh sufferers, addressing every thing from tuberculosis to maternal well being.
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5. Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal
“The perfect time to plant a tree was 20 years in the past. The second greatest time is now,” says 60-year-old Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal, a farmer from Sirkot, Uttarakhand. After shedding his father at 18, he devoted his life to remodeling barren land by planting over one lakh bushes, together with deodar, seesham, and rhododendron. His efforts revived underground water ranges and impressed villagers to embrace tree planting.
“I’m forsaking a greater world for the subsequent technology,” he says. Jagdish’s work has created jobs, improved sustainability, and fostered a tradition of environmental stewardship in his neighborhood.
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6. Mercy Rego and associates
At 63, Mercy Rego discovered a brand new zest for all times by reconnecting together with her childhood associates. In 2022, she met her schoolmates after many years, beginning with a small journey to Bengaluru. They spent days laughing, dancing, and reminiscing, realising their bond was as robust as ever. Inspired by this, the group deliberate an even bigger journey to Malaysia in 2023, the place they explored new locations, took daring cable automotive rides, and easily loved one another’s firm. Now a professor in Mangaluru, Mercy says, “Don’t lose your youth. Don’t neglect to benefit from the current. You don’t know what tomorrow holds.”
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7. Usha Shrotiya
“Typically folks ask me why I must work at this age, however there isn’t any age restrict to attaining your desires.” At 64, Usha Shrotiya turned a private problem into an entrepreneurial success.
When her daughter-in-law was identified with gestational diabetes, Usha modified her conventional gond ke laddoo recipe, changing jaggery with dates to make a more healthy various. This sparked the concept of making snack bars that retained the essence of conventional recipes whereas catering to fashionable life. In January 2024, she launched ‘Mama Nourish’, now supplying company giants like Netflix and Google.
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8. Mukta Singh
Mukta Singh at all times admired the class of older girls, like her grandmother in cotton Bengali sarees, however discovered her personal self-care slipping as she balanced motherhood and profession. A turning level got here when she stopped colouring her hair whereas caring for her ailing mom, embracing her pure magnificence. At a marriage, her metallic gray saree caught the attention of a designer, propelling her into modelling at 58 — an age when many ladies are informed to fade into the background.
Regardless of harsh social media criticism, Mukta’s confidence earned her recognition and alternatives with prime designers championing inclusivity. Now 61, she says, “A lady is anticipated to handle the household, however that shouldn’t come at the price of utterly undermining and neglecting your self.”
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9. Ashok Gade
For years, 72-year-old Ashok Gade from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district confronted losses in banana farming as a result of fluctuating costs and the perishable nature of the crop. Decided to discover a resolution, he and his spouse, Kusum, started experimenting with value-added merchandise like chips, laddus, and their most profitable creation — banana biscuits. This innovation earned them a authorities patent, boosting demand throughout India.
“We don’t promote uncooked bananas anymore,” smiles Ashok, who now collaborates with 50 farmers to supply 350 kg of biscuits weekly, incomes Rs 50 lakh yearly.
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10. Madhav Damle
In 2012, Madhav Damle turned a painful expertise right into a mission to carry pleasure to others. Whereas working an previous age dwelling, he noticed the devastating results of loneliness on seniors, together with one resident’s suicide try after an argument together with his youngsters. This led Madhav to start out ‘Comfortable Seniors’, a matchmaking company for the aged, targeted on live-in relationships.
The Pune-based initiative has helped over 75 seniors discover companionship, providing them a second likelihood at happiness. Love certainly has no boundaries. Individuals age; love doesn’t.
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Edited by Khushi Arora
