Pensioners very much part of pune's paradise

Apanoramic view of Pune’s socialscape is always interesting.
Burgeoning suburbs housing settlers from other cities, bustling hostels accommodating students and amidst all this the core Puneri areas still retaining the flavour of the city.
It would be easy to discount the old age in such a scenario.
And Pensioner’s Paradise is not the kind of sales pitch that works for a city that is looking to be a global industrial and educational hub.
Still, it is to Pune’s credit that its sense of values has not been completely bought over by globalisation.
Senior citizens are very much part of the fabric of the city and thanks to several initiatives are enjoying the autumn of their lives with a sense of purpose and meaning.
Over 80 active senior citizens organisations and clubs are at the heart of the effort and most assure their members concessions and facilities, courtesy the Government of India, as well as various hospitals and NGOs.
“Pune is one of the most active cities on the senior citizens’ front. Every month the senior citizen associations organise lectures, entertainment programmes and health camps, allowing a healthy and strong society of senior citizens to evolve,� says N P Gokhale, President of Association of Senior Citizens of Pune (ASCOP).
President of the NRI Parents’ Organisation (NRIPO), a group of elderly citizens, whose children have settled abroad, M H Paranjape adds, “For NRI parents, it’s a very tough situation as they have no one to look after small chores,� he says, adding, “NRIPO has come up with two cells - Will and After, which looks after members in a case sudden death occurs. The second cell takes care of members in an advanced age, by shopping for them and helping them with other chores.�
Other sections of society, too, are increasingly considering senior citizens in all their plans. Recently, a restaurant opened exclusively for senior citizens. The restaurant will have special low fat, low spice cuisine catering to seniors.
Two to three builders have hosuing projects dedicated to couples in the autumn years of their life. These boast a temple, meditation hall, health facilities and a small theatre to make their life smoother.
Anil Bora, director of Grant A Smile Foundation, has successfully launched ‘Second Wind Dreams - Even Tide’, a project to fulfil the wishes of residents of various old age homes in Pune.
“Their wishes can be as simple as having a stew or playing tennis and cricket with the youngsters,� Bora says.
sharvari.joshi@timesgroup.com