In an effort to initiate and further collaborative partnerships in India, a meeting took place between YUVA representatives and Mr Mathew Cherian, the CEO, as well as Ms Paromita Thomas, Country Head (HR) of HelpAge India on Monday, 6 May 2019.

HelpAge India is a leading charity in India working for the cause and care of disadvantaged older persons to improve their quality of life for nearly four decades. It aims to serve elder needs in a holistic manner, enabling them to live active, dignified and healthier lives.

HelpAge India advocates for the needs of the elderly such as for universal pension, quality healthcare, action against elder abuse and many more at a national, state and societal level with Central and State governments. It also works hand-in-hand with Senior Citizens Associations understanding elder needs working with and for them.

In terms of projects, HelpAge India provides elderly relief through various age care interventions such as running one of the largest mobile healthcare programmes through its Mobile Healthcare Units spanning the country providing free healthcare services to destitute elders. It also helps elders earn their livelihood through the formation of Elder-Self-Help Groups to make them self-reliant as well as conducting cataract surgeries to restore their sight. Additionally, it looks after the basic needs of the elders through its Support-a-Gran programme, it runs Elder Helplines across the country, provides relief & rehabilitation for elders post disasters and provides active-ageing opportunities.

With both India and Mauritius facing the issue of population ageing, this first meeting helped YUVA and HelpAge India identify loopholes in the system where they could work together to alleviate the problem.