Four ‘W’s and One ‘H’ about Grey Odisha

In newspaper while writing a news story the basic principle applied is to answer four ‘W’s – What, When, Where, Why and one ‘H’- How. It is believed that once all the questions are answered, the report turns self-explanatory. Let us start ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section on Grey Odisha by answering four ‘W’s and one ‘H’:

What ? Grey Odisha is a campaign to promote alternative ageing in and around the State.

Campaign means propagating an idea for a while. It is transitory in nature.

Keeping pace with the international and national trend, the population and longevity of older population in the region is growing. While 9.5 percent among the State’s population of 4.2 crore was calculated to be above the age of 60 years according to the 2011 census data, social scientists estimate 20 percent of the total population will fall into the senior citizens category by 2050. Average longevity of Odias was 32 years by the time the country gained independence which is claimed to be 68.2 years for male and 70.7 years for female by 2021.

On the other hand, Odisha is lagging behind in comparison to the neighboring states in most of the Human Development Indexes. One finds a vast gap in intellectual and economic status among the population. While 83 percent of families continue to live in villages with population less than 5,000, only 17 percent live in urban setting.

As a result of shrinking family size, migration and adoption of nuclear family culture, elder care which was traditionally honored by younger family members in the joint family system facing casualties.

By 2021 one finds little of social infrastructure or organised service provision developed in the state for elder care. About 10 percent of senior citizens, estimated to be some thing like 4.5 lakh are either bedridden or house bound in the state and their care is left to their families which appears to be inadequate in all parameters.

The situation warrants study, research, spread awareness, advocacy and infrastructure building exercise. That is what Grey Odisha intends to do.

Why: The key promotors of the Campaign are senior citizens themselves and they live in Odisha. They are intellectuals and aware of facilities available for elder care in the neighborhood, mostly developed nations. It makes sense to aspire for replicating successful models practiced elsewhere altering minor changes suitable for the local environment.

Elder care, other than supervised either by immediate or extended family members, needs professional approach for creation of infrastructure for rendering services. In the other hand, since it is extremely expensive for an individual to bear assisted living facilities unless designed to serve a large group and share expenses. To make independent living affordable at the end-of-the-life situation, creation of care homes and retirement communities is essential. Adoption of models of eldercare in developed countries such as United States, Great Britain, Australia, Japan and China for affluent senior citizens in India is a viable solution to confront the emerging catastrophie.

Such philosophy is based on assumption that once successful models are developed for the people who can pay for themselves on experimental basis, good practices can be spread out by the non-government and government agencies for the common people on mass scale.

How ? Success in creation of communities of senior citizens including those who are approaching seniority in the age group of 50+, 60+ and 70+ need well defined plan of action.

The most important factor in creation of a harmonious community depend on gathering people of common philosophies on life. In an educated society putting forth a philosophy and identifying individuals who support it is the most easiest method, less time consuming and efficient way. Since preaching, arguing and convincing is time consuming and hard work, such attempts are to be avoided.

Gerontology as an academic subject was developed in 1970s and by 2020s, during half-a-century, considerable amount of literature and models appeared in public domains. It is worthwhile to gather individuals for the pioneering effort of building communities who are familiar with such developments in the international scene.

Where ? Grey Odisha as a concept is being practiced in Odisha. People from all over the state can participate in its proceedings. However, people from outside the state are not barred.

When the community will venture for retirement colonies, the state capital Bhubaneswar may be the most suitable destination for its transport connectivity with rest of the state, health care facilities in the twin city vicinity and emerging urban culture. The City is suitable for professional assisted living for senior citizens due to abundant availability of human labour. As per an estimate, by the middle of 2018, out of total population of 10 lakh, about 3 lakh belonged to low income group and engaged in service sector.

When ? Basic principles of Grey Odisha were published in the inaugural editions of e-mail newsletter in three regular fortnightly installments beginning October 1, 2017. A period of five years was earmarked to create resources to understand old age and emerging elder care lifestyle in different parts of the world. By 2022 about 125 editions of the e-mail newsletter are scheduled to be ready containing continuous study and research which can help to formulate frame of reference on the subject for the avid readers.

Further clarifications may be sought such as:

How Grey Odisha is different from any other commercial ventures in the field of providing retirement and assisted living facilities ?

Commercial ventures offer their products in a market place. Take for example an unit in a retirement colony. Any body who is an eligible senior citizen and pay can purchase a place. However Grey Odisha envisages not just a place to live and lead super senior life, but a harmonious congregation of people with identical philosophies on life.

Many may agree that neighbors mean a lot in a cramped old age dwelling. Nobody wants to spend time with a neighbor whom he or she does not like. A good neighbor should not be a chance, but result of an effort. Grey Odisha strives to compose a friendly neighborhood during end-of-the life period for the first build-up community.

How to find out like minded people to form a community ?

Communities can be built attracting people with common philosophies on life. There can be n’ number of philosophies and communities.

The best way is to start the chain action from one, he or she can recommend one or two whom he knows intimately for number of years as birds of same feather flock together. When the process is repeated a community is build-up.

Both the prospective candidates and the community members can create opportunities for virtual meets, in person gatherings, camp life, group travel to know each other and decide who fits and who doesn’t. Decision of the majority should be taken for granted. The whole operation is to be conducted in a free will casual manner just like groups are formed by boys and girls during the school days.

How can one join Grey Odisha ?

In the first step, an outsider must study in details on the spelt out philosophy of the community and decide weather he or she subscribes to it. In the second step, attend events organised by the community to find out the prevailing environment and continue a period of time to confirm his or her presence. If everything goes on fine, he or she can join or outright reject the community.

Who will chart rules and regulations for the community and who will be responsible to manage its asserts ?

Community service is an collaborative effort. All the members of the community have equal rights and responsibilities. However formal organizational structures may be constituted to meet legal requirements. The community will comprise members of 3 types of age group 50+, 60+ and 70+. Avenues to be kept open for constant induction of younger people. Though the community will be managed by collective decision, naturally the younger members will contribute towards day-to-day management of its assets. Typically in a care home or retirement colony situation, paid professionals are to be employed to carryout assisted living facilities. The system is to be supervised by nominated members.

What will be the legal frame work of Grey Odisha ?

Grey Odisha is a campaign that assembles people to think about alternative ageing practices suitable for their time. Once a community is formed the members decide to lead a community life and take-up projects to prepare for a comfortable later part of life. The concept may be replicated to build-up many communities based on different philosophies about life. Different communities may develop different structural mechanisms as per their preferences the ideal being private limited companies having inmates as share holders. Grey Odisha may be just a role model, it will never be an apex body for any communities or enforce regulatory mechanism of any sort.

There may be many other questions arise. Please do not hesitate to ask a question to the promotors by visiting ‘Contact’ section in this website. Visit ‘Update’ section to know about past and future events. Follow in social media https://www.facebook.com/pradeepmahapatra . Reach to the founder Dr Pradeep Mahapatra to have a conversation Mobile +91 94370 96944 (Between 8 and 10 PM) https://about.me/pradeepmahapatra

Updated on August 29, 2022

Illustrations : Photo above : by Ricardas Brogys & Mikel Parera on Unsplash