At a time when rapid urbanisation and changing social dynamics are leaving seniors behind, HelpAge India is rewriting the script. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Prateep Chakraborty, Chief Operating Officer of HelpAge India, delves into their transformative work and why it’s time to see India’s elderly not as dependents, but as a resilient, resourceful force ready for their second act
Tejal Sinha
In the quiet corners of bustling cities and the forgotten lanes of rural India, millions of elderly citizens live lives marked by resilience—yet often shadowed by loneliness, neglect, and economic insecurity. As families grow smaller and urban life speeds up, the wisdom and presence of older generations are too often overlooked. For over four decades, HelpAge India has been a powerful force working to change that. Founded in 1978 with a mission to uphold the dignity and rights of senior citizens, the organisation has grown into a nationwide movement championing elder care, health, empowerment, and inclusion.
In this deeply insightful conversation with The Pioneer, Prateep Chakraborty, Chief Operating Officer of HelpAge India, shares the heart of their work—stories of struggle, strength, and hope—and how the organisation is redefining what it means to age in today’s India.
HelpAge India was born out of the vision to create a society that looks after its elderly and their specific needs, so they can live life with dignity in their later years. From its humble beginnings in a small office in New Delhi, HelpAge has since grown to operate across more than 25 states in India. Its reach and impact have been profound—serving disadvantaged elders through primary healthcare services, livelihood initiatives, age care programs, and advocating their rights across various policy platforms.
“Our core philosophy is ‘fighting isolation, poverty, and neglect’. We believe that elders should not be marginalised but seen as a productive and contributing force in society,” he emphasised. This vision finds expression in HelpAge’s livelihood programs, which challenge the traditional belief that income generation is solely for the young.
The organisation’s work spans several key areas, each designed to address the wide-ranging needs of India’s elders. Chakraborty elaborated on these with clarity and pride.
“Recognising that a significant portion of the elderly, especially those over 60, have chronic diseases, we support their health through Mobile Healthcare Units in underserved areas. We also promote preventive healthcare, facilitate cataract surgeries in partnership with credible eye hospitals, and run cancer and palliative care programs,” he said.
They also support old-age homes and senior citizen facilities, run physiotherapy services, and provide assistive devices. Through its partnership with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, they also operate Elder Line—a national helpline that runs in three states and three union territories.
The organisation’s commitment to financial empowerment is just as robust. “Since around 90% of India’s elderly lack social security, we support their economic independence through elder self-help groups,” Chakraborty explained. These groups, especially impactful for elderly women, encourage savings, foster microcredit access, and build financial inclusion.
HelpAge also focuses on urban elders—many of whom suffer from social isolation, abuse, and digital illiteracy. Across 20+ states, the organisation runs training workshops to help elders navigate digital tools, protect themselves from online frauds, and understand financial and legal rights. “We do this by working with Senior Citizens Associations across the country,” Chakraborty added.
Expanding telemedicine and mental health services has become another critical frontier. The Saarthak initiative, for instance, addresses dementia, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and other psychological concerns through trained caregivers, supported by institutions like NIMHANS and IBHAS.
Behind all this is rigorous research and advocacy. HelpAge conducts high-quality studies on elder abuse, poverty, and intergenerational perceptions and collaborates with government bodies to push for pension reforms, elder-friendly urban planning, and more.
When asked how they had adapted in the wake of COVID-19 and the accelerating urban shift, Chakraborty responded with thoughtful insight.
“One of the key steps we took during the pandemic was working with the government and other agencies to vaccinate elders. Our helplines became lifelines—providing assistance for medication, shelter, hospitalization, and addressing social isolation and loneliness,” he recalled, adding that they had also turned to digital tools to bridge gaps. “We initiated several digital literacy workshops that helped elders connect with loved ones via video calls, tackle misinformation, and protect themselves from scams,” he noted. These workshops often became intergenerational opportunities—with school children mentoring elders and forming bonds akin to grandparent-grandchild relationships.
One of HelpAge India’s most inspiring areas of work is its intergenerational programming, designed to bridge the gap between youth and elders.
“We run the SAVE (Student Action for Value Education) program, where we engage with students to help them understand the importance of grandparents and elders,” he explained. A subprogram called Digital GuruCool trains elders in digital skills with students acting as mentors. “It helps beat social isolation and sensitises the young by their direct interaction with elders,” he added.
Another component of HelpAge’s intergenerational efforts includes encouraging visits to old-age homes and day-care centres, allowing students and young professionals to witness firsthand the realities of ageing in India.
“While bonds between generations have increased, much work remains to ensure children don’t become so absorbed in urban life that they neglect their parents and grandparents. Intergenerational bonds, respect, and camaraderie should only continue to grow.”
HelpAge India’s advocacy efforts extend into the highest levels of government. The organisation works closely with various ministries to effect systemic change.
“We work directly with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on two key programs—the National Elder Line 14567, and the Regional Resource Training Centre,” said Chakraborty.
The organisation also supports the Ministry of Rural Development through the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, helping to form elderly self-help groups and promote elder inclusion in rural economies.
He noted that HelpAge staff are frequently invited to serve on state-level committees and special task forces—offering expert input on schemes and elder care policy.
Some of the most heart-wrenching work HelpAge does involves abandoned or homeless elders, often hidden from society.
“These individuals are marginalised on multiple fronts. Many lack any form of documentation—no Aadhaar or ration card—so they can’t access basic services,” he said.
To address this, HelpAge has launched a national enumeration and linkage program, supported by community-based agents and elder health desks in hospitals like AIIMS and NIMS Hyderabad.
He added, “Sometimes our helpline or state teams get reports of elders abandoned on roads or railway stations. We then work with old-age homes, the police, and local officials to offer them shelter and dignity.”
Mental health issues also present a significant challenge. “Many cannot articulate who they are. Providing continued care—especially follow-ups and medication adherence—is incredibly difficult,” he noted.
Even in tribal or rural settings, HelpAge’s work is relentless, though not without hurdles.
“One of the biggest challenges is isolation and trauma. Elders without income often lose respect in their own homes. They’re seen as a burden,” he said.
Transportation in remote regions is another obstacle. “Even reaching them is difficult. Ensuring medicine reaches them on time or assistive devices are repaired is hard. Keeping records and ensuring follow-up care requires immense coordination,” he said, crediting local banks, volunteers, and village networks for their support.
Chakraborty believes that the concept of retirement is undergoing a transformation—especially in rural India.
“The decision to work or slow down should always lie with the elder,” he said. “Our Elder Self-Help Groups challenge the idea that older people can’t earn or contribute. In our society, respect often comes from earning—and these elders are showing they can still do that.”
In places like Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and drought-hit regions of Maharashtra, HelpAge-supported elders are actively engaged in income generation—whether through field work, collecting goods, or managing local enterprises. Some have even undergone digital training and now manage bank accounts or operate microbusinesses.
Work, for many elders, is not just about the money—it’s about purpose and connection.
“In Bihar’s Darbhanga district, we met an elderly woman who runs a vegetable shop. With a small loan from her SHG, she now earns Rs 1,500 a day. But more than the income, what she cherishes is the respect she now receives from her family,” Chakraborty recounted.
Stories like hers are not uncommon. Across India, HelpAge teams have witnessed firsthand the mental and emotional upliftment elders experience when they are engaged in community and livelihood activities.
“It’s not just about selling vegetables or collecting firewood. It’s about feeling seen, respected, and part of something larger than themselves,” he said.
