Part of a picture of Chamarel waterfall, by Jean-Michel Vigneau

A good will delegation of 32 members of the Senior Citizens council of Delhi visited Mauritius from 29 July 2007 to 5 August 2007 under the leadership of its President, Shri J.R. Gupta. The members left a 02.45 pm and reached at 09.00 pm the same day, A very warm reception was accorded at the airport by Mrs Indranee Nath Varma, Chairperson, Senior Citizens Council, Mauritius and her team. After dinner, we were very adequately accommodated in the Recreation Centre at Pte aux Sables.

Next day, the delegation met with Mrs Sheilabai Bapoo, Hon'ble Minister, Social Security, NSSCW and RI. She welcomed us very heartily and talked on various social welfare schemes being implemented by her government for the welfare of senior citizens. Talks and poetries were recited to strengthen the cultural bonds in both the countries. Shri J.R. Gupta, President of Council thanked the minister and presented a momento. A dinner was hosted by the honble Minister.

On 31 July 2007, the delegation members paid a courtesy visit to the honble President of the Republic of Mauritius, His Excellency Mr. Anurood Jugnauth and Madam Her Excellency Mrs. K. Ranpadaruth. The President emphasized his wish to have more exchanges of people of both the countries and blessed the group with a group photo. Shri. J.R Gupta presented memento to the President and the ladies put scarf on Her Excellency Madam President.

On 02 August 2007, the delegation members met Dy Prime Minister Hon. Mr. R. Beebeejaun and he reiterated that the relationship amongst the two countries is perennial. A group photo was taken and Shri. J.R. Gupta fecilitated the Honble Dy Prime Minister.

The delegation members met the Indian High Commissioner Shri B Jai Shankaran for tea. All the mayors of towns of Mauritius arranged cultural programmes and hosted lunch and dinner in the honor of delegation members. The members were accorded warm welcome and hosted lunch and dinners at different places during the entire period of stay in Mauritius and arranged cultural progrmmes everywhere. The members were received with great respect, affection and warmth by the people of Indian origin living in Mauritius. Gifts and mementos were presented from both sides.

During the stay, delegation members enjoyed valuable site seeing programmes like Apravasi Ghat Talab, Rabindranath Tagore Institute Cultural Centre, Old Sugar Maund, Botanical Garden Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Candon Water front, Crater Black River Gorges, Nation history Museum, Seven Coloured Earth, and Blue Submarine 30 meters under sea. A warm reception was also accorded by Sh Rajender Arun, Chairman of Ramayana Centre, Mauritius and hosted a very sweaty home made dinner. The members also donated as sum of 11,000/- to Ramayana Centre. We left Mauritius at 03.24 am and returned very happily to India with sweet memories on 05 August 2007 at 11.45 am.

This warm welcome everywhere in Mauritius could only be possible through the untiring and personal efforts of Shri. J.R. Gupta, Our President, which can not be forgetten till our life. The delegation members thanked him and requested to make such tours in India and abroad in future also.

Any person who is anxious to visit historical, religious places in India and Mauritius can contact Shri. J.R. Gupta, President of Council at Mobile No. 9810488059.

Confederation of Senior Citizens Associations of Delhi ( an umbrella body of 11 lakh senior citizens) organized its Annual Conference on 05/11/2015 at Azad Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi in which more than 500 senior citizens participated after coming from different parts of Delhi.

While addressing senior citizens, Chief Guest Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi reiterated that his government is committed for the respect and regard of senior citizens of Delhi and also would look after their health problems by opening 50 Aam Aadmi Hospitals and out of one of its kind is already operational in Pitampura Area, where all tests, medicines are given free.

He further assured to look into Charter of demands sympathetically just handed over by Shri J.R.Gupta, Chairperson of the Confederation of the Confederation .

A news item appeared in The Times Of India on 16th January 2010 wide which a proposal was highlighted to debar senior citizens at the age of 72 and above to drive their own vehicles. Senior Citizens at large expressed their resentments and as such the matter was taken up by the Senior Citizens Council of Delhi on behalf of 9 lakhs senior citizens living in Delhi with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

The Ministry wide their letter dated 05/03/2010 has clarified the position as under.

It is correct to say that the Ministry is in the process of reviewing the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 by an Expert Committee. One of the stake holders had suggested that people having age between 75-80 years may be prohibited from driving. However, in no way that can be treated as the recommendation of the Committee nor it may be construed that the Committee has recommended this. The Committee has to look into all the pros and cons of each proposal received by them from various stake holders and will recommend those proposal which are not only right but also just.

01/01/08

New Year was celebrated by organising Kavi Sammelan. Sh. Monty, counciller was Chief Guest.

Under ''The Know India Programme'', a delegation of 35 students and professionals across the world was hosted by Senior Citizens Council of Delhi on 13.01.08. A group photograph with Sh. D.N. Srivastava, Joint Secy., Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Govt. of India, Smt. Kiran Walia, MLA and Sh. J.R. Gupta, President of Council and other members.

The Council organized an interaction session with the 35 students and young professionals of People of Indian Origin across the World under ''8th Know India Programme'' of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Brig. Teg Bahadur(Retd.), Prof. Mrs. Nirmala Devi and Shri B.N. Chopra(Gold Medallist) briefed about the progress and achievements in all fields by India during the last 60 years. The Chief Guest was Hon'ble Yoganand Shastry, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Delhi Government. Mrs. Kiran Walia MLA, Shri Shallender Singh Monty, Counciller, and Shri D. N. Srivastava, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs as Guests of Honour. The Guests appreciated the efforts of the Council to organise such a function, which was attended by more than 400 Senior Citizens in the early hours. Breakfast was also served in the Park Baluchi Restaurant. A gift was also presented as a token of love and respect.

On this occasion, 111 blankets were also distributed to poor and needy persons.

A tricycle was donated to a physically handicapped child by Ms Arti Mehra, Mayor of Delhi, and Sh J R Gupta

The members of council participated in the annual day of SADBHAWNA SATSANG at Munirka. Sh. Prahlad Ramayani of Saahabad Markanda was the main speaker. Sh. Harmander Pal, poet, also recited his poems which were appreciated by all presents. Lunch was served to all by Sadbhawna Satsang.

Minutes of the Annual General Body Meeting of the Senior Citizens Council of Delhi held on Thursday the 1st October 2009 at 5.30 P.M. in the Assembly Hall of the Green Field School, A-2, Block, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029 under the Chairmanship of Shri J.R. Gupta, President, Senior Citizens Council of Delhi.

1. The meeting commenced with Ganesh Vandana recited by Smt. Satya Devi Verma. Thereafter two minutes silence was observed in memory of our life members who passed away during the previous year namely K.S. Gagwani, Shanti Sarup Bangia, Om Prakash Sharma, Mohan Lal Mehandiratta, N.S. Negi, V.K. Sharma, Jagdev Singh, Jagan Nath Sharma, Sushil Kumar Sharma, J.C. Dewan, Girdhari Lal Manchanda, Dr. Siri Pal Sharma, Smt. Krishna Sachdeva and Smt Motia Bhasin,

2. Shri J.R. Gupta, President, President, Senior Citizens Council of Delhi welcomed the members and highlighted the activities of the Council during the past one year i.e. from 1st October, 2008 to 30th September, 2009 details of which are briefly stated hereunder:-

01/10/08

(i) Elders Day was celebrated in the morning at Deer Park Satsang Sthal, near Hauz Khas village, New Delhi in which more than 500 Senior Citizens participated. Chief Guest was Justice Devinder Gupta, former Chief Justice, Andhra Pradesh High Court. Dr. M.S. Sachdev, Managing Director, Center for Sight delivered a talk suggesting various precautions for eyes. A free eye checkup camp for the Senior Citizens was also arranged in which more than 200 persons availed the facilities.

(ii) In the evening, Annual General Body Meeting was held at Green Fields School, Safderjung Enclave, New Delhi between 5:30pm and 6:30pm and the minutes were printed in the Vratotsav Parv Deepika, 2009-10. A cultural-cum-quiz program was arranged from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in association with teachers and students of school in which more than 500 Senior Citizens participated after coming from different parts of Delhi. Chief Guest was Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi, Dr. Yoganand Shastri, the then Minister for Social Welfare, Delhi Government and now Speaker, Delhi Vidhan Sabha and Shri S.S. Monty, Area Councilor. Each and every member was offered a gift of alarm clock as a token of respect and regards. The Chief Guest also released Souvenor-2008 containing various activities of the Council and a no. of useful information for the Senior Citizens There was also a lucky draw containing 3 prizes followed by dinner at 9:00pm sharp.

Like past years, on 27/03/09, NAV SAMWAT-2066-VARAT-UTSAV PARV DEEPIKA (2009-10) was distributed free of cost which also contained, minutes of last AGM and various activities of the Council including photographs taken on the occasion.

(xxxii) 7 students, who secured more than 90% marks in Xth class in CBSE Examination 2009, were felicitated by Chief Guest.

(xxxiii) Exercise books and stationary items were also distributed free of cost to poor students of MCD primary schools.

b) The Council has helped in getting Old Age Pension of Rs.1,000 per month to more than 50 Senior Citizens below poverty line.

3 The General Body confirmed the Minutes of the last Annual General Body Meeting held on 1-10-2008.
4 The General Body adopted and approved the Balance Sheet and Income & Expenditure Account of Council as on 31-3-2009 as audited by M/s. K.B. Kalra & Co., Chartered Accountants.
5 Col. N.R. Khanna (Retd) appreciated the sincere efforts, spirit and leadership quality of Shri J.R. Gupta for conducting a wonderful visit to Mauritius with 32-Members of the Council in the first week of August 2009.
6 The waiting time for quorum in the Annual General Body Meeting was inadvertently typed as 2 hours in Rules and Regulations of the Council against Rule 11 although there is no quorum problem in our Council as the members are joining in a very large numbers. The General Body rectified the typing mistake and approved waiting period of ½ hour in place of 2 hours, which was already approved by Governing Council.
7 The members present were glad to know that the funds/donations are being arranged throughout the year from outside for the day-to-day activities of the Council including recurring expenditure of Sant Niwas which is between Rs.70,000/- to Rs.80,000/- per year with the sincere efforts of Shri J.R. Gupta, President and the same was appreciated by all present.
8 Shri J.R. Gupta announced that the function of Elders Day-2009 at Green Field School today with a Dinner and Gifts to all members has been arranged with the funds generated outside after using his own influence in other Social and Religious Institutions like past year..
9 Shri L.R. Garg, (Life Member) appreciated the full time devotion of Shri J.R. Gupta for the cause of the Council's and distitutes of senior citizens below poverty line all over Delhi and neighbouring NCR and who is also instrumental in raising funds from outside for the Council without encashing any existing FDRs
10 Shri Suraj Bhan Gupta, Returning Officer conducted the election proceedings cordially and smoothly and Shri J.R. Gupta was declared re-elected as President of Council unanimously for another term of two years ending 31.3.2012. The existing Governing Council was also unanimously re-elected as proposed by S/Shri Y.K. Aggarwal, B.T. Moitra and Gian Chand Gupta who also appreciated the initiatives being taken by Shri J.R. Gupta.
11 Shri J.R. Gupta thanked the members on his re-election as President of the Council and assured the members to continue to work for the welfare of Senior Citizens all over Delhi and Council in particular.
12 Shri J.R. Gupta thanked all the Governing Council Members S/Shri L.R. Garg, R.L. Arora, Suraj Bhan Gupta and Gyan Singh Tokas for their continuous co-operation and support. Governing Council Members also thanked M/s K.B.Kalra & Co., Chartered Accountants, for their free services to the Council.
13 The House expressed happiness and appreciated with great clappings that the FDRs deposits which was Rs.1.50 lakhs last Elders Day has gone up to Rs.3.50 lakhs.
14 Shri J.R. Gupta, with the help of SHO, Prasad Nagar and Joint Commissioner of Police protected Mrs. Ramesh Rani (74 years) a paralysis Patient, resident of Karol Bagh from the harassments and humiliation at the hands of her elder son. Now she is living a peaceful life. She was present in the General Body Meeting. All members appreciated the work of Shri J.R. Gupta for this noble cause, which would be remembered for years to come.
15 An appeal was made to all members present to make earnest effort to enroll more members even from far off places in the NCR region so that the Council can render all possible assistance/help to large number of Senior Citizens. A last opportunity was also extended to yearly members to convert into life membership ypto 30.9.2010 by adjusting Rs.200/-
16 It was also decided to announce the above decisions in the Deer Park Satsang (Activities Centre) as per existing practice also in the case of Governing Council decisions from time to time.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair, all Members and particularly Green Field School by Shri Bhagwan Dass Kalra, Member of Governing Council.

Sd/
(H.D. RALHAN)
SECRETARY
New Delhi
1-10-2009

Activities of June 2010

For the 1st time, on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Confederation of Senior Citizens Associations of Delhi (an umbrella body for elders) organised Candle Light March for drawing the attention of Govt. of India and Govt. of Delhi on 15-06-2010 from 6 30 pm to 7 30 pm at historical place, Jantar Mantar, New Delhi with the following placards in which more than 300 Senior Citizens representatives of various Senior Citizens Associations participated from all over Delhi.

1. Senior Citizens have right to live with respect and dignity.
2. Senior Citizens should be saved from harassment and abuse (emotional, economical, physical, disrespect, verbal, neglect etc)
3. The life and property of Senior Citizens should be protected.