Written by Atharva Mehendale, Community Project Manager, URI - North India & Afghanistan
In a few decades, humankind is going to go through a dramatic irreversible demographic change. By 2050, people over 60 will outnumber those under 14; and a staggering two-thirds of these older people will live in Asia. Such demographic changes have enormous implications for our societies.
Older people are an asset to their families, communities and the society. Their contribution – as caregivers, advisers, mediators, mentors and breadwinners – is invaluable, but frequently unrecognised. Harnessing and nurturing such capacities through older people’s associations has proven to be a decisive contribution to development theory and practice. Additionally, women play a big role in the sustainability of any community. Unfortunately, for so many years their importance has been overlooked. However, that has been changing due to the empowerment of women in the community as part of community development process. Older women contribute enormously to our communities, through paid and unpaid work, caregiving, volunteering, and much more. They also bring great knowledge and experience to their work. However, many older women experience barriers to their well-being. This has an impact on their ability to participate in community initiatives. Veena Gaur ji, and other members of her organisation – Rohini CC, a Cooperation Circle of URI – North India & Afghanistan have been relentlessly working for the betterment of elderly women in the national capital for over two decades.
Veena Gaur started working with children from underprivileged backgrounds while she worked as a professor with the University of Delhi. Gradually, she started spending time with elderly women in the vicinity who merely needed an ear to talk to and express themselves. She used to meet them in public parks, talk with them, help them express themselves and motivate them to talk about their problems. While she still continues to do so, the scope of her activities has now expanded. Over the years, she has worked with women from all walks of life – including refugee women, to help them become self-sufficient and self-reliant.
The organization joined the URI network in 2004. Veena Gaur ji sees URI as a platform to not only network with fellow individuals and organizations, but also to develop oneself. This association has motivated Veena ji to continue the good work in spite of many members of her organization dropping out over the years. Veena ji is also associated with Mahila Chetna Kendra, another organization working for the good of women – where she is involved in teaching English. As Rohini CC continues to work relentlessly, Veena ji is desirous of building a dedicated safe space – a center for elderly women. This center, according to Veena ji would give women a platform to express themselves, work and just ‘be’. She believes in the fact that all that people need sometimes is a gentle push for them to create wonders. Rohini CC has been doing just that; transcending all barriers of religion, caste and class.
As the interview drew to an end, Veena ji fondly quoted the famous Lata Mangeshkar song ‘rahein na rahein hum’, thereby expressing her desire for generational perpetuality of good work!
