Date: 20th February 2005
Opening of 2nd Day of the Seminar was done with the personal Introduction session of each attendee.
National Organization
Facilitated by: Ashok Sapre,
He introduced the founder members and directors of NIAASC (National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens)
Speaker 1: Raj Prasad, executive Director of NIAASC
Topic: Vision, Mission, Goal and Programs
Mr. Prasad started with briefing about the first conference held for the senior citizen issues in New York in Sept98.
He explained 3 key factors in the formation of NIAASC as:
Information:
1. NIAASC publishes a newsletter every month, which has currently around 375 members.
2. It conducts various conferences and workshops.
3. It has around 7 calling programs in New York area, which is are tied up with the local organizations.
Referral: NIAASC has a help line with a toll free number.
Ad vocation:
1. This addresses different issues in senior years, such as end-of Life.
2. NIAASS has also tied up with AAA (Area agency of aging) which is the most recognized support line funded by federal govt.
Speaker 2: Samir Dutta, M.D, vice President, NIAASC
His speech covered the above aspects along with the spiritual needs.
The best is yet to come
Facilitated by: Vidya Sapre
Speaker 1: Joe Sterniolo, CEO, ROAR Inc.
He presented a good concept about beginning of the youth after 50s. In his presentation Joe talked about the internal and external factors such as social and personal changes. He defined age between 50-60 as Youth, 70-80 as middle age and 80 onwards as eldership. He pointed out the family importance in India and speedy life in United States.
His speech contained very good quotations from different poets and writers. In one such beautiful example of a swan, quoting the following lines,
This laboring through what is still undone,
As though, legs bound, we hobbled along the way,
Is like the awkward walking of the swan
Joe emphasized that best way to look at our life when the golden years are nearby is to find your water. This means identify a unique goal of your life and leave the awkward feeling, which he described as True Northconcept.
Speaker 1: Vidya Sapre
Her topic mainly covered the social vision about life after the retirement.
She gave examples of Charuhasini Bhave (Sanskrit Classes), Mr. Dinesh Patel (Printing Press), Babuji Dandekar (Priest), Shrikrishna Patil (developed Marathi Fonts along with fonts in around 13 languages), Bhupendra Shaha Soneji (Yoga teacher). These people are working in United stated in different areas and are providing social service to the Indian community.
Other examples were of Dr. Madhukar and Pushpa Deshpande who moved back to India and are working on a project of mobile science laboratory (Vidnyan Vahini) in Rural part of Maharashtra . Mr. Bhagvat who is in India and helps in teaching.
Dr. Gangadhar Maddivar, who resides in US and working on a project Doctors without borders through which he visits India with a panel of doctors to perform free surgeries in remote villages. Dr. Bala who has started an emergency help line 109 in Pune which on the basis of 911 (emergency service no in US). One more example was Dr. Uday Devaskar who is working for Dinanath hospital in Pune.
She explained the different projects, which can be undertaken such as education, medical help, village development and reformation. She also mentioned about Lata Deshapande, who is severely ill with arthritis wrote a cookbook namely Healthy & tasteful Treasures - Low Calorie, Low Cholesterol, Low Sodium Recipes, which features good nutrition, proper diet, and healthful eating without sacrifice of taste.
Mrs. deshpande who was one of the attendees of the seminar came all the way from
Ellicot City, MD.
Speaker 2: Harikrishna Majmundar
At the age of 84 years he was the oldest attendee for this seminar. But, he is very active and young at his work. After getting retirement in India, Mr. Majmundar came to US to live with his children. He specified primary problems he faced due to the language barrier and cultural differences in India and US. So, he formed a weekly meeting Chajju ka Chaubara which helps improve speaking and writing in English for the immigrant Indians. He is also engaged in activities such as teaching mathematics (calculus) and providing legal advice to immigrant Indians.
Speaker 3:Gajanan Sabnis, PhD
His speech was mainly the review of the first day discussions and sessions along with the options to stay and work in India and US. He has done a collaboration with Maharashtra / Mumbai Road development Authority for improving concretization of roads/pot holes.
Coffee/ Tea break
Tour to Retirement Community:
Around 25 people went for an hour tour to the Sunrise Retirement Community in La Palma, CA
During the lunch, Ashok Sapre briefly explained about the upcoming session of group discussions. Also, the volunteers for the seminar expressed their thoughts.
Group Discussion Session:
Facilitators: Dhiren Mehta, Rajul Mehta, Ashok Gore, Manish Gore, and Vidya Spare
There were 5 groups of 15 participants. The topics given for the discussion were:
1. My passions and activities after retirement
2. Things I would like to Know more about
3. Retirement Community in USA
4. Organization for Indo-American Seniors (Local and national)
5. Retiring in India.
After the session, each group leader presented the breakout group report / summary.
Coffee/ Tea break
Future Plans and closing remarks
Ashok Sapre gave the concluding speech. Also, Dhiren mehta gave a thanking speech. And the 2-day conference came to a successful end.
