Youth champions the cause of the elderly 

​Karimnagar: It may appear paradoxical to say that an increase in average life expectancy of people in the country over the last few decades has in fact added more misery to woes of elderly people as four in every 10 of them testify to verbal abuse, three to neglect, and a third to disrespect.

Against this backdrop, here is a youth doing his bit championing the cause of elderly persons. The 31-year-old Dappula Ashok, who is pursuing LL M in Osmania University, is showing the way to many a people how to treat the elders, beginning his campaign from his native Lingampet village under Chandurthu mandal in Karimnagar district.

Noticing the disrespect, neglect and verbal abuse the elderly people receive from their children, Ashok has started Charvaka Vruddhula Sankshema Sangham, a non-profit society aimed at the welfare and empowerment of the elderly, in 2010.

Since then, he is working for the welfare of not only the old-aged but also for the uplift of physically challenged and widows. His endeavour soon spread across 80 villages of Vemulawada constituency each having a frontal organisation with around 20,000 old-aged, physically disabled and widow members. He created fire among them in getting their due from the government also. Nearly 150 persons got their old-age and widow pensions staging a series of protests.

Initially, it’s not all that easy for Ashok when he started advocating for the elderly persons who were ignored by their children. He had to confront with the heirs of the elderly people. Ashok’s first success came in 2011 when he ensured justice to Myakala Gopaiah couple of his village, who was ignored by his four sons. Mustering the support of all the villagers, his organisation stood behind the old couple ensuring them a room and livelihood by their sons. Before that the couple was not allowed to live in their house.

As of now, the Charvaka has adopted 20 old-aged and differently challenged persons and providing them the provisions. This apart, the society is also assisting in setting up of petty businesses like tea and vegetable stalls to empower the elderly persons. The society now runs an ambulance along with a doctor for the benefit of old-aged people and conducts regular medical tests.

It may be noted here that the ambulance service and a Jeevan Dhara generic medical outlet at Vemulawada is being run by the Charvaka Senior Citizens Trust to cater to the medical needs of the old aged people. A special discount is also being offered to the members of the society. Recognising his efforts, Vemulawada MLA Chennamaneni Ramesh took initiative to allot 5 acres government land for the society.

Speaking to The Hans India, Ashok said: “A plan is on the anvil to establish an old-age home, a hospital and a school for orphans in the land given to the society.” It’s unfortunate that many elderly persons are compelled to live in inhuman condition, Ashok said, stressing the need to create awareness among the elderly about their rights. Meanwhile, it’s learnt that government has appointed Ashok to head the Rudrangi Market Agricultural Committee Yard, recently.