A network of 42,000 elderly people in 9 states; 70% of elderly people became self-sufficient by helping each other; Self-help groups started from Tamil Nadu after tsunami

Mohan Mondal, 75, from Bihar's Supaul district, is part of a group of elderly people in the village. In which friends of the same age take care of each other and help in connecting with the government schemes. Mohan was also inspired by a colleague to make an 'Vage Vandana Card' for treatment. At that time, he had no idea that this card would ever save his life. A few days later, Mohan Mondal suffered a brain stroke. The cost of treatment was lakhs of rupees. At such a time, the village group took the family to the hospital listed in the scheme. He underwent an operation there. Three lakh rupees were spent. Mohan is healthy today. Now they also motivate other elderly people to be prepared for the necessary expenses. UN Population Award winner HelpAge India laid the foundation of such groups after the tsunami. Today, around 42,000 elderly people like Mohan are associated with 3000 such groups spread across 9 states across the country. Each elderly person in the group has Rs 1.19 lakh. In Supaul, the elderly deposit Rs 50-50 every month. In 15 years, the group has given loans to its members to the tune of Rs 2.33 crore. This earned Rs 13 lakh. Now each member of the group has a share of Rs 1.19 lakh. People call them lakhpati old people. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has also decided to adopt the Elder Self Help Group model. It has been included in the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The group became the first Elder Self Help Group in Chennai in 2005 for the elderly affected by the tsunami in 2004. It was subsequently launched across the country. One group consists of 10-20 elderly people aged 55 years and above. The organization goes to villages and identifies people who are facing economic, social or health related problems. The members meet regularly. Saves. They lend to each other and work together on local problems. About 70% of the elderly in these groups have become completely self-sufficient. (As Rajesh of Bhaskar said)