VISIT TO OLD AGE HOME

I, Sakshi Kaushik, visited an old age home i.e., Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram, via the support of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies. The visit was scheduled on 29^th July 2019. I and my classmates went in Aali Village, on Mathura road. The vridh ashram is a part of Sheows Foundation.

GURU VISHRAM VRIDH ASHRAM

The founder of this ashram is Dr. G.P. Bhagat. He is really very much devoted to his work and ashram. Also, he provides immense help and support to the old people who are now helpless. He leaves no coin unturned to provide emotional, social or monetary support to the old people in his ashram.

My visit was full of learning new things, knowing new people and understanding their everyday routine and lifestyle at this ashram.

As we first entered the ashram, we saw an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) in which about 7-8 old people were kept under observation. A separate and much larger ICU was there at the second floor. Approximately 9-10 nurses were completely devoted at the ICU centres.

Then we came across a big hall in which there were sharing beds. Half of the room was occupied by the females, while the other half was occupied by the males. The hall was completely air-conditioned and had 2 big televisions. The people there told that they usually watch bhakti channels and also watch some of the comedy shows and serials in the evening.

Then we came across a physiotherapy centre. Over there, the people with some difficulties in walking and those with joint pain, were given appropriate therapies.    

We were also given a time of about 1 hour in which we could interact with the people in the ashram. I had a word with 5-6 aunties who were in the age group of approximately 55-70 years.

Heart-to-heart Talk

They all were well educated and had a good family and educational background. They were involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities as well.

One of them was a professor of Hindi at a Government University.  She was quite educated and had a lot of enthusiasm for learning new things.

Another aunt told that she was professionally trained in sewing (kadhai-bunai). She also showed some of the sweaters that she had knitted while staying at the aashram.

Another aunt was quite reluctant to speak. She showed her burnt hand and then another aunt told her story. She said that her family members were the reason behind her burnt and tortured hands. This story was quite disheartening. I was over-whelmed and could feel the pain and sorrow she must be going through after being abandoned and tortured by her family.

While one aunt said that it’s good to be in this old age home rather than being at the home and being tortured and neglected.

Old age truly brings back the child in us. All of the old people there performed many activities like colouring, drawing, playing with a ball, etc... They all were quite enthusiastic while telling about their experiences of the activities. They also shared some of their hobbies. Some loved to dance, while others loved to listen to the old melodies.

Creativity has no age-bar!!!

The staff over-there was really good and helpful. They were polite and behaved in a very good way with the old people in the ashram. The people there were provided with 3 meals a day. The lunch has a thali consisting of Indian cuisine. Around 5 o’clock they were given fruits. They were also provided with morning and evening tea.

All in all, the services provided were very nice. I would like to suggest the ashram authorities that the inmates of the ashram should be taken for outings at least once in 3 months. The places to be visited could be simple, such as the various monuments at Delhi or for that matter they can be taken to other old age homes. This will help the people to fight with their boredom and would also help them to make new friends and forget the time of their sorrows.

The evil in the society of disgracing the parents can never be compromised by any “SORRY” or any other thing. It is the duty of the children to realise that the “karma” will be back to them as well, because they will someday be old and helpless.

All the members of the society should help the needy, as per their capabilities. In fact, I believe that instead of visiting the malls and other places, we should take some time out for the old and helpless people and must visit them. This would not only make them happy but you yourself would feel a sense of satisfaction and happiness.

If my experience has made you feel empathetic towards the old and needy people, then you may please visit any of the old age homes within your reach and connect with them. 

Contact details of Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram are as under:

Address: Gautam Puri Phase 1, near NTPC Badarpur, opposite Ali Gaon, Mathura Road, New Delhi-110044
Email: vridhashram@oldagehomeindia.in
Website: www.oldagehomeindia.in
Phone: +91-11-29941111

SAKSHI KAUSHIK (Vidya Kiran Foundation)
Please feel free to contact me at my email address:
vidyakiranfoundation@gmail.com

Find me on my YouTube Channel:
 https://youtu.be/aTLAyGBUURs

Sakshi Kaushik