Senior Citizens Forum

A solace to the elders

More than ever before the senior citizens of the society are nowadays facing a number of serious problems, in the evening of their lives, such as neglect from own children,relatives, friends, Government etc.

Today India has the largest population of senior citizens and in Kerala also the case is not different. It is the duty of everybody to look after them by providing reasonable conveniences.

In the case of Kerala, the problem has gone acute with the breaking up of the joint family system leaving the elders hapless in their solitude. Idling in their lonely houses with children far away is adding to their woes.

The Edappally Senior Citizens Forum was formed to make the elderly people to overcome such unfortunate and depressing situations in their life The Forum is not a substitute for either the old-age home or for one’s own home. It is a forum that offers a platform for the elders to spend at least a part of their idling hours interacting with each other and enjoy a self-made community atmosphere of their own.

Under the auspices of the Forum, facilities are provided in the Changampuzhapark for senior citizens to meet and talk, play indoor games, attend medical camps, join with families in occasional picnics. The forum has now emerged as a close community of retired civil servants, college professors, school teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, artists and many more.

Registered under the Charitable Societies Act, the Forum offers membership to anybody above the age of 60 years with a nominal fee of Rs 300. It has nearly1700 members on its rolls now.

The Forum holds an ‘Azhchavattom’ (Weekly) programme on every Tuesday evening with a view to provide an opportunity for the elders to unwind themselves and to exhibit their artistic and other talents. Eminent guest speakers, celebrities etc. are also invited to enlighten the members.

The forum also makes regular arrangements to meet the members at their home on their birthdays with bouquet of flowers followed by ceremonial reception at the Park once in a month for all those who have celebrated their birthdays in the previous month. And what’s more, the Forum organises an event on every Republic day to honour the members who have attained the venerable age of 80 years.

Governing Council

Members