Unfortunate pensioners - just over a day's difference

What happened on 31 December 2005 ? Yeah.. something very important has happened. 1 January 2006 was all the way different from its previous day... Atleast for all Central Government employees.

Being an employee on 1 Jan 2006 makes a lot of difference from having been an employee on or before 31 Dec 2005 ( and not being an employee on 1Jan 2006).

Let me put here, my personal views, on the 'injustice' implemented by our Government.

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The Sixth Central Pay Commission has been so generous to the Central Government Employees. But, equally too, they are so cruel to some of the pensioners.

The retirement benefits ( the amount of money, lumpsum) given to a retiring employee is meant to build a ‘retired life’ for him and his family. The pension is for the maintenance of his and his family’s life. These are the benefits obtained for burning their lives (the whole life) for the Government (society).

An employee retired on 31 December 2005 is not qualified for the retirement benefits as announced by 6CPC (although there is a very small increase in the monthly pension, on the principle of ‘one rank one pension’). Had he retired on the next day, 1 January 2006, things would have been very different. He would have got the new terms of retirement, which is far higher than those applicable for 31 December 2005. A day makes so much of difference. The difference is so large that he feels very miserable, when he think of this ONE DAY. People who retired around that period – in 2005- feel so bad, miserable and dejected; just over a few day’s or week’s difference.

The retirement benefits of two persons of the same position and pay ( one retired on 31Dec 2005 and the other on 1Jan 2006) should be almost equal ( atleast comparable in the amount of terminal benefits and subsequent monthly pension). That’s natural justice, I believe. To give an example, when my 010106 friend got 10 lakhs as his gratuity, another one (311205) got just 3.5. This is certainly not fair. It’s not justice.

But the 6CPC and the Government has not looked at the implementation in this angle. This is cruel and injustice. I strongly feel that the Government should normalize this huge difference caused by that milestone day. The improved retirement benefits and pension should be applicable to those retired earlier too (pre 2006). The applicability of the benefits may be made in a tapering method. May be, 10% less for every year preceding 2006 (eg. For persons retired in 2005, the terminal benefits may be 90% of what a person retiring on 1Jan 2006 gets). This would atleast bring in some justice to those unfortunate ones.The financial load on the Government by implementing such a justice would not be very high.

I wish, our Government would consider the plight of the retired people, and do a normalization of terminal benefits and pension.

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For a fair deal

For a fair deal.
Kerala Senior Citizens’ Forum organized a demonstration before the Secretariat on Thursday demanding speedy implementation of the ‘Policy for the aged’ announced by the Government.

Politics and Retired

'Retired Civil Servants should not join Political parties.'

Do you plan to enter poilitics ? If yes, then here is a report of importance to you.

Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami has favoured prohibiting civil servants from joining political parties for atleast five after resignation or retirement from service.

ISRO and Chandrayaan

Congratulations ISRO ! Well done ! Keep it up !!!

Vitamin D

A research group in the US have recommended the need for a higher dose of Vitamin D. According to the study, there is an evidence that it may help prevent serious diseases. However, they have not concluded on the amount of units to be consumed. However, an earlier specification recommends 400 units for the adults in the 50-70 age group, and 600 units for those above 70.

The potential benefits from Vitamin D are : Keeping bones stronger, Reduces risks of cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases.

So, make sure you get your required dose of Vitamin D daily. You’ll get this from sources : Sunlight, Fatty (oily) fishes, Fish oil, Egg, ..

The following quote from Wikipeadia would be useful.

“Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble prohormones, the two major forms of which are vitamin D₂ (or ergocalciferol) and vitamin D₃ (or cholecalciferol).^[1] The term vitamin D also refers to metabolites and other analogues of these substances. Vitamin D₃ is produced in skin exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation.

Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of organ systems.^[2]

• Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by promoting their absorption from food in the intestines, and by promoting re-absorption of calcium in the kidneys, which enables normal mineralization of bone and prevents hypocalcemic tetany. It is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts.^[3][4].
• Absent vitamin K or with drugs (particularly blood thinners) which interfere with Vitamin K metabolism, Vitamin D can promote soft tissue calcification.^[5]
• It inhibits parathyroid hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland.
• Vitamin D affects the immune system by promoting phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, and immunomodulatory functions.

Vitamin D deficiency can result from inadequate intake coupled with inadequate sunlight exposure, disorders that limit its absorption, conditions that impair conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, such as liver or kidney disorders, or, rarely, by a number of hereditary disorders.^[2] Deficiency results in impaired bone mineralization, and leads to bone softening diseases, rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, and possibly contributes to osteoporosis.

Vitamin D regulates the expression of genes associated with cancers and autoimmune disease by controlling the activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a type 1 nuclear receptor and DNA transcription factor.^[6] Research has indicated that vitamin D deficiency is linked to colon cancer and more recently, to breast cancer.^[7] Conflicting evidence links vitamin D deficiency to other forms of cancer.

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Housing for the Senior Citizens : Old age homes

Cool, peaceful, retired life ! That's what you wish for ?



May I invite your attention to an article in “The Hindu (supplement - Property Plus) “ dated 11 Oct 2008. The short article “With the needs of the elderly in mind” by Shyama Rajagopal is worth it. The Sainik Vihar at Kakkanad, Cochin has been built with these aspects in mind. The author also affirms that such facilities have become relevant today as few projects are started with that aim.



For those of you who may not have read the article, I have here a few points extracted from the article.

Sainik Vihar, Kakkanad, Kochi – Exclusively for ex-service men .

Built by the Kerala Ex-servicemen’s Welfare association.

Built with the needs of the elderly in mind.

To live independently, without feeling lonely, and enjoying community living.

Food from a canteen, or cook of their own.

111 cents of land; accommodation for 36 families; 16 small villas( two units each) ;

Area from 270 sqft to 467 sqft.

Cost from 1.1 lakh to 2.1 lakh (deposit). Regn fees 10,000/--

In case of death, the deposit (less 5%) will be returned to the nominee.

Canteen at reasonable charges.

Guests/ children of the residents will not be allowed to stay overnight (space problem); but Guest room available.

I am sure many senior citizens would be looking for such homes.

Indian Space Traveller

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Anthanaut or Akashyatri ?

Last day's news papers report that the ‘ignited minds’ of Trivandrum were quizzing the Chairman , ISRO, on Indian space activities (ISRO). To a question “What would you call an Indian Space traveler ?’, Chairman, ISRO said that its going to be a students level competition to suggest a suitable name.

To the readers of my earlier posts here would have already knew it.

Anthanaut

Akashnaut

Gaganachary

Akashyathri

Indonaut

Indianaut 
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Life of regrets and Missed opportunities

Most of the Senior Citizens, today, would have the difficulty in accepting the 'erosion of old value systems and the evolution of a new way of doing things.' Many persons, after retirement, takes up some job (or part-time job), for a dual objective of getting engaged and an earning to support himself (or the family). But they face a serious cultural shift in the new Organisation. Earlier, we used to get respect and give respect (our value system). But now, there's no one getting respect at all anymore. Because no one gives respect ! It's a world of competition. No one respects the other, irrespective of the age or position.
The work culture is different now. The strong value system has almost disappeared. As a critic said "Even companies are encouraging people to be dishonest".

Over the last three decades, money also has changed. In its quantity and quality. In early 1970s, a good salary was in hundreds. Later, during 80s and 90s, they were in thousands. And now, for the modern youngsters, the salaries are in terms of Lakhs ! This is not just the case of figures, but also in terms purchasing power. During the 70s, we had to shell out almost 6months of our gross earnings to buy a two wheeler. Now, the youngies buy luxury cars for their 6 month net salary. Money, over these years, have made all the difference. But, all those changes have not so been very good for the society.

Many of our Senior Citizens, whom I have come across, talks these sharp facts. The thoughts over these leads to a feel of "regrets". Oh.. I could have done that... I could have done the other way.. and so on.. all regrets. Added to this, almost all of them talk about missed opportunities. 'May be, I should have planned better.. '. At the same time, all of them are aware that it is all past and you cant turn your wheels back. All these thoughts leads to cases of feeling bad and subsequent hypertensions.

This is about how you look at life. It depends on the individual. But the reality is that the only solution is to 'Keep thinking positive.. Never think of regrets and missed opportunities'. Think of your acghievements.. that will make you happy... and will create a 'feel good' factor. This is a dramatic and dynamic force in all our lives.

Counselling Centres for R M S

In a bid to make Senior Citizens aware about the REVERSE MORTGAGE SCHEME, the National Housing Bank (NHB) is planning to setup counselling centres at Chennai, Bangalore, Kalkotta, Pune, and Mumbai.
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The bulging purses

The purses of over 5 million Central Government employees are quite heavy and bulging out now. There’s lot of money with them, with the wind fall gains following the 6CPC implementation.

As in last time (in 1997), most of these huge amounts (received as arrears) will land up in the consumer durables market. That’s exactly why most of these companies are vigorously in the market with attractive schemes and offers ( Navaraathri is just another added reason).

Experts on Personal Finances have a piece of advice to these new millionaires -

“Caution …. before spending all your money on cars, TVs, and PCs, keep in mind the future value of money”.

Here are the important DOs and DON’Ts, (on how to spend your arrear amounts), these Experts suggest.

1. Keep 3 months (household) expenses aside for contingencies.
2. Pay-off Credit Card dues (if any, in full).
3. Prepay Home Loans (if any), as much as possible.
4. Take a Medical Insurance (if not covered by other schemes).
5. Make a Mutual Fund deposit (may consider the Tax gains too).
6. Charity- contribute you might
7. DO NOT park your money in Fixed deposits (or in SB accounts) , as you will most probably end up in a loss, accounting for inflation.

Regarding the increased monthly salary, experts suggest that only a part of your raise be used for household expenses. The balance amount (of your increased salary) should be put in a recurring deposit or SIP into a suitable Mutual Fund.

Retired Employees also would get their revised increased pension. The arrears and the increased monthly pension should be dealt carefully and wisely ( Remember, hard times are ahead, it looks ). You can’t expect any raise in your pension , in the near future (for another 10 years ) !

Retired persons should consider regular expenses (going up always) , contingencies (any time guest !) and growth of capital (to beat inflation).

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Concessions for Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens' Friends Welfare Association, in its State Conference here, called upon the Government for resolving issues and provision of certain concessions.
The main areas are :

1. Form a separate Department for the welfare of the elderly.
2. Enforce the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.
3. Fix 60 as the age for getting 'senior citizen benefits'.
4. Provide 50 % concession for Senior Citizens undergoing treatment at Private Hospitals.
5. Sanction pension for destitute widowers and unmarried senior citizens, on the lines of the widow-pension scheme.
6. Issue concession passes for the Senior Citizens traveling in public transport.
7. Ensure 5% reservation in seats (in public transport).

Let's hope the authorities act positive in these genuine demands, immediately.
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Blogging for a "Retyred life'

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Age is a mental condition. People tend to 'rust out', long before they 'wear out'. Opt for an active lifestyle.
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Quoting lessons from someone is easy. Practicing the lessons are the difficult part. But, my dear friends, practicing this lesson is 'Very Very Important'. For leading an active life, the first step is to identify a suitable activity (if you are not already active). We'll think of further steps later. Did you identify your activity ?

Hint : Blogging is an excellent activity... ideal for the Senior Citizens.. If you require any HELP on this, please get in touch with me.
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Astronaut, Cosmonaut, Spationaut, Taikonaut and Anthanaut

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Do you know who is an ‘Anthanaut’ ? If not, just check whether you know the following terms.

Astronaut, Cosmonaut, Spationaut, and Taikonaut.

Got it ? Now, you may know. Space travelers from America, Russia, France, and China, are respectively called the above names.But how about ‘Anthanaut’ ? For us in India, ‘Anthariksh’ means Space. So, the right name for a space traveler from India would be ‘Anthanaut’ (or Antharnaut ? ). ‘Indianaut’ or ‘Bharanaut’, if someone coins, doesn’t sound good !

Please check who is the first ‘Anthanaut’ ! May be that’s too early !!

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Promises : for the Senior Citizens

International Day of Older Persons (October 1) &
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act

On October 1, the day of the 'Older Persons', was 'celebrated' by our State Govt too. The authorities made a special note that the demographic proportion of senior citizens in Kerala poses fresh challenges for the State. There are 31.5 Lakh Senior Citizens in the State. The major issues here are : Majority are widows, poverty, gender inequality, and lack of security. Most serious being the “lack of family support”.

Here are a few proposals / offers by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare (Govt of Kerala).
1. Government had drawn up a plan to equip District Hospitals and Geriatirc Care Centres and separate out-patient counters for the Senior Citizens.
2. These facilities would be extended to Taluk Hospitals and Medical College Hospitals in due course.
3. District level Tribunals would be set up to enforce MWP&SC Act.
4. Domestic Violence Act would be invoked to prevent atrocities against Senior Citizens.
5. A project to improve the infrastructural facilities in old age homes being workedout.
6. Free eye camps, Free surgery and spectacles, awareness camps for the inmates of the OldAge homes.
7. The Social Security Mission, announced by the Govt, would take care of the needs of the elderly people also.

I think we should be happy that the Government is really concerned about the Senior Citizens. Let's all be optimistic and wish for the early materialisation of the promises.
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