*SEPTEMBER 2011* Feature Interview - Vinod Shah, IFA Director, founder-chairman of the Janaseva Foundation, India
*You have been a highly accomplished physician and teacher of medicine and have also been invited by the Governor of Maharashtra to be his Honorary Physician. Tell us why you decided to take the step and founded the Janaseva Foundation?* This was my dream since I was a medical student studying in Sassoon General Hospital a government operated public charitable hospital. This where I learned the meaning of poverty and humanity especially because much of the medical teaching was conducted on the bodies of destitute people from the city. From that point it was essential to return my debt to the society. *Who is your main influence in your professional life? Why?* Though there are many academicians who have influenced me through a wealth of experience and knowledge in their respective fields. For instance Dr. S.B. Mujumdar - Chancellor, Symbiosis University, my teacher in the college; Dr. Gururaj Mutalik - MD Medicine, Head of the Department of Medicine & Dean, Former Director of WHO, my teacher in Medicine and Dr. Sharad Shah - Leading Gastroenterologist; Padmavibhushan Dr. Mohan Dharia, social activist and former Vice Chairman, Planning Commission, India; and Dr. Sharatchandra Gokhale - Former President, IFA is my mentor in doing activities for senior citizens in Janaseva Foundation, IFA and ILC-I. *Tell us a little more about your life before the Janaseva Foundation?* I come from an average family from a rural and remote area of Maharashtra. It was my dream to become a doctor-Physician and to start consulting in Pune city, which is educational hub of India, known as Oxford of the East - I started my practice in 1977 and it continues to today treating people from all the strata of the society. Through my clinical work I was encouraged to develop health checking and eye treatment camps with the support of Lion's and Jaycee's International was honoured as an Ambassador of Goodwill. Mother Teresa visited one of the eye camps of Pune Netraseva Pratishthan and offered great encouragement. The Janaseva Foundation was founded in 1988 to render selfless service to society at large, to help the poor and down trodden sick, elderly, disabled destitute of any age from rural & urban areas through various health projects. My wife Mrs. Meena Shah is the driving force behind all my endeavors and leads many important projects such as our Old Age Homes, Health Camps, Cataract surgeries, Destitute Rehabilitation Centre, Rural Aging, Meet the Stalwart, World Senior Citizen's Day Celebrations for 3000 senior citizens, Physiotherapy Centre, Day Care Centre & Century Club for people above 85 years of age etc. The Foundation has a rural hospital and mobile medical units; a nursing school for young girls from poor families; a rehabilitation centre that provides school education and vocational training; and a research centre recognized by University of Pune. *What is the most rewarding part of leading the Janaseva Foundation?* The most rewarding part of leading the Janaseva Foundation is to see citizens who were destitute and begging on the road now totally independent and earning their livelihood on their own. To see a smile on the face of a senior citizen whom we picked up from the street and giving vision to poor people by performing free cataract operations. Ladies using toilets constructed by Janaseva Foundation in villages instead of going out in open space and my real reward is when young girls and boys get good employment after completing their nursing training and wardboy aaya training. *What are some of the major challenges you face managing the Janaseva Foundation?* The major challenge faced initially was generating funds but when philanthropic persons, corporations, governments, NGOs started giving funds, this was less of concern for the moment. Now my challenge is to employ quality staff and work with them in total harmony so that quality services are given to the needy. *Where do you see the Janaseva Foundation in the next 10 years?* I am confident and will strive hard to ensure that Janaseva Foundation will be a Role Model for the nation in the field of ageing having a big institute on ageing with all facilities including research. My dream is to provide health services at the door step of every villager and tribe in our area of work with mobile medical units covering more than 70 villages in remote areas. *What is your vision for the IFA? And for IFA's Global Conference on Ageing in Prague?* My vision for IFA is an establishment of Asian Institute of Ageing in collaboration with IFA in next 2 to 3 years wherein along with basic activities and service oriented activities we will have lot of research in both rural and urban ageing. IFA should take keen interest in formation of national policies in member states. I believe that our strength is our members and I will strive hard to increase our membership, for this we should come out with special programmes which will benefit the senior citizens at large and so also NGOs working in the field of ageing. We should utilize the contribution and expertise available to us from past and present board members and executives. My ultimate endeavor is to take IFA to further heights for which I will work hard under expert guidance and best wishes from all of you. The 11th Global Conference will be a long lasting experience for me as a Director wherein the important key issues related to aging will be discussed and which can be an eye opener to the government and NGOs globally. http://www.ifa-fiv.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=102&Itemid=271#LETTER.BLOCK19 India - Agewell Foundation obtains United Nations Consultative Status The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is pleased to recognize the work being done by Agewell Foundation in India to assist old people and advocate for their needs and rights with the granting of Special Consultative Status by ECOSOC at the United Nations. ECOSOC Committee on Non-governmental Organizations made the announcement on 9th February, 2011 at UN Headquarters, New York. Agewell Foundation has become the first Non-governmental organization from Old Age Sector in India to receive the Consultative Status with the ECOSOC. This is the first time that 90 million Indian older people (out of total of 600 million in the world) in India are being given recognition for their needs and rights through the NGO sector. Agewell Foundation is reaching out to the global community to seek your continued support, participation and guidance in their endeavor to provide for older persons in India. View their website for more information on the organization and its work at: www.agewellfoundation.org Mr Himanshu Rath, Agewell Foundation Chairman said; "Indeed it is an opportunity that clearly gives Agewell a new perspective and a much bigger responsibility to serve old people. It would bring focus on the conditions of Old people in India, help advocate for their rights, share experiences with old people from around the world, learn from others experiences and share our own traditional wisdom and present day conditions. This would also lead to participation in advocacy at the international forums, policy formation, transparent implementation of policies and increasing participation of old people in better government for old people". http://www.ifa-fiv.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=102&Itemid=271#LETTER.BLOCK25 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. 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