This social organisation in Dehradun helps the elderly battle loneliness

This initiative attempts to make a substantial contribution towards enhancing the lives of the city's ageing population

In Dehradun, nestled amidst the lush green hills of Uttarakhand, an initiative has been unfolding—one that is not only bridging the generation gap but also rekindling the spirits of its senior citizens. Thirty-one-year-old Rohit Mamgain, the founder of the Nirogi Bharat Foundation, has started a first-of-its-kind “time bank” with a vision to spread happiness and combat the loneliness that often plagues the elderly in Dehradun.

The time bank allows participants or volunteers to “contribute their time”to support elderly individuals and, in turn, receive assistance when they require it. A native of Nand Prayag, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, Mamgain, a senior research officer with a United States-based company, recognised the growing problem of senior citizens living in isolation in his city.

A sensitive approach

"We started asking people to devote some time to senior citizens who live alone and, in turn, we deposit their time in our bank so that somebody helps them in future when needed," explains Mamgain.

Dehradun, with its picturesque surroundings and a largely favourable climate, attracts many retirees. However, as Mamgain notes, "The problem is that their children are living away from them. Someone is living in the United States, in the United Kingdom, or in other countries. So the parents are then living alone, and this loneliness is dangerous."

To combat this, Mamgain’s team of volunteers embarked on a mission to reach out to these senior citizens. Their approach was simple yet profound—they didn't tell them that they were sad or lonely, instead, they conveyed that they were valued for their wisdom and experiences.

"We tell them that our volunteers are here to learn from your experience, so they feel good that somebody wants to  listen to them and learn from them," says Mamgain. The initiative aimed to revive the age-old Indian tradition of respecting and caring for elders within the context of modern life.

There are close to 140 million people aged over 60 years living alone in India, according to government statistics from 2021. For many of them, their children have either moved away for work or abandoned them, resulting in the elderly leading lonely lives. Currently at its nascent stage, the initiative has so far helped several senior citizens and is looking to expand to other cities such as Delhi soon. 

A timely solution

"On 10 November 2022, my wife passed away suddenly due to a cardiac arrest. We had a very close bond—we used to talk very frequently to each other because we didn't have any hobbies otherwise. Our only hobby was to talk to each other and spend time together, says Avdhesh Kumar, an elderly beneficiary of the initiative. 

"After her demise, it seemed like my whole world was snatched away, and I felt very lonely." Kumar's experience is one that resonates with many senior citizens who find themselves isolated in their later years. It was in this moment of desolation that Mamgain’s concept of the time bank came as a lifeline.

"My wife's absence can't be filled by anyone. That is a wound that can never be healed. But when the volunteers come and talk to me, then that pain subsides, at least for some time. So this is an achievement in itself," shares Kumar. 

Just like Kumar, many ageing individuals in Dehradun often have children living far away, making them feel helpless in times of need. The concept of the time bank has come to them as a timely solution. “When we need help, we feel helpless, and we don't get any help because our neighbours are also elderly people. So in this situation, whom will we seek help from? Under these circumstances, the concept of a time bank is very helpful," remarks Kumar. So far, the initiative has about 550 people registered to become volunteers under the “time bank”. All the volunteers are carefully vetted to ensure they are kind, responsible and can uphold the safety of the elderly clients.

Ajay Butola, a volunteer for the initiative, highlights the significance of this intergenerational connection. "This initiative [teaches us] that we should spend as much time as we can with the elderly because the younger generation today is very busy, and they don't have time for their parents and others in the family."

According to Butola, the initiative not only addresses the practical needs of the elderly but also provides them with companionship and a platform to share their stories. He explains "When we talk to senior citizens, their insights become a reflection for us. We get to learn from their experiences, the mistakes which we should avoid, how to live our lives, and what we can improve in our lives."

Butola believes the initiative's impact goes beyond alleviating loneliness; it's an opportunity for the elderly to share their wisdom and for the younger generation to learn valuable life lessons. "We also feel good after listening to them. There is a connection between the young and old, and it helps us understand their thoughts, and they get to understand us," he concludes, highlighting the significance of bridging the generation gap.

Additional reporting by Hanan Zaffar

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