Vrundavan for peaceful living of sr citizens
| Date :02-Feb-2020 |
By Ajay Mardikar :
The concept is favourable for senior citizens, who are financially comfortable, but lack companionship, or source for spending free time
With increasing life span and disintegration of joint family system, the problems relating to senior citizens have also started cropping up. The need for having old age homes, government policy for the seniors was also raised at several platforms. The requirements for senior in different socio-economic classes, however are different. The traditional Old Age Homes, started by some charitable organisations have a social stigma attached to them. The seniors in such homes were considered to be those neglected by their own family members or have no one to stay with.
However, now there is a huge population of seniors, who are financially comfortable, but lack companionship, or source for spending free time. The means for investing time in field of interest or constructive work and for social attachment are required for seniors of this class. ‘Vrundavan’ is a habitat for senior citizens, where they can experience warmth, freedom, companionship, friendship, culture, celebrations and build a vibrant community with a sense of belonging.
The proposal was conceptualised by a senior citizen Vinod Gaan, a senior citizen, so far as physical age is concerned, but is still involved in his professional work. Gaan, a chemical engineer from Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, with support from Architect Uday Gadkari and Engineer Suresh Khedkar, has mooted the plan of Vrundavan, a senior citizen’s living township. Not for earning any profit out of it, but Vrundavan is a proposal where like minded seniors, about 100 in number can live together in a small township with all the facilities. The township within a radius of 25 to 30 kms from the Nagpur city will have all the facilities of round the clock security, sports zone - badminton court, table tennis hall, card room, library, jogging track, gymnasium, landscape garden, swimming pool, multipurpose hall, temple, open space where gardening or farming on small scale can be done.
The need for health care will also be fulfilled with doctor on call available, emergency alarm installed and round the clock services of nurses and availability of an ambulance has been planned. Talking to The Hitavada, Gaan stated that he is only a proposer and will work with those living in the township. Similar townships have been developed in metro cities like Pune and Mumbai, but are commercial ones promoted by builders. Vrundavan is a non-profit venture to be developed by the members only. Gaan is only initiator to form a group of like-minded people, who would then form the society and develop the township through collective efforts. Vrundavan is a place to start the second innings in such a way that one enjoys his/her childhood hassle-free and without any worries. This is the first proposed township of this kind in Nagpur and probably in Central India. Every facility is designed and provided to lead a cheerful life with the company of similar age group.
The township is hassle-free to facilitate movement of seniors, suffering from ailments like arthritis etc. The senior would be able to have active life with sports facility, gymnasium and for practicing yoga. Anti-skid floor, chamfered wall edges designed to prevent any injury, coloured light switches, bathrooms with arthritis friendly fittings have been planned. Utmost care has been taken while designing keeping in mind all the problems faced by seniors. Gaan made a presentation of his proposal in a meeting of Senior Citizens’ Club and received good initial response from the members.
As the premises will have adequate security system installed, including CCTV camera, besides the security personnel the township is a safe place to live in. For health care the para-medical attendants will ensure timely administration of medicines and also maintain health record of every person in the township. As diet planning is essential with the growing age, services of dietitian, with wider choice of food on the menu has been planned. Spacious common dining area, with best food, snacks and beverages with company of others is also being ensured. Gaan has identified 3/4 locations. Those interested will decide on where to have their township. The members of the township will forma society and plan manner in which they wish to live. Gaan said ‘I will act only as their service provider’. For further details, interested persons may contact Vinod Gaan, Ar. Uday Gadkari or Suresh Khedkar. Gaan has plans to inform more senior citizens through their clubs or other organisations, by demonstrating the proposal and also hold discussion with them. The suggestions can make the plan more fruitful.