New Page 4

'This page has been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England’

2008 January February March April May June July August September October November December

RW DGM' s MESSAGE FOR OCTOBER 2008

ELDERS DAY

On October 1st we nominally celebrate Elders Day, as we do so many other ‘days’ – to be recalled once every year and forgotten for the rest of the year.

We have a population of senior citizens as defined (over 60 years of age) which is over 70 million at last count, and rising. This number is infinitely greater than the entire population of France, and equal to that of unified Germany. It is both a burden and an asset, but largely ignored in both categories.

What is it that we, as Masons, can do to help them, particularly those who have no other means of support, emotional or financial? A few years ago we set out to build a home for the elderly, and failed to attract enough interest from the targeted community. It was said that the neighbourhood (Devanahalli, near the Bangalore Airport) had not developed sufficiently to afford a degree of security to the intending Residents. Perhaps –

We had therefore, to make ‘other’ arrangements to service our investment, which has tied up the facility till 2011. However, thereafter, the question would still remain, as to whether we should return to our original initiative of a Senior Citizens’ Home, or continue to put the facility out to commercial use and income. This income could then be used to fund investments in other such Homes, under professional management, which we do not have, and the invested facilities scattered over the whole of the southern peninsular region.

We should not withdraw altogether from service to this community which, by and large, remains neglected despite various pious promises from around the country.

Another thought – as Elders between the ages of 60 and 70 years, in good health may still be in a position to offer their services for various advisory positions in industrial and other establishments, we could consider finding and funding their placements. Britain and the U.S.A. among others have Retired Executive Service Organisations which place their Members in short service assignments, typically for six months, in Industry. We could consider supporting some service similar for Indian retirees which could be of great benefit particularly to small and medium enterprises, which cannot afford expensive ‘Consultants’.

Let this, therefore, be a message for Elders Day and hopefully it will trigger some useful thoughts among us to help that section of our communities.

Before I close I must convey my Id and Deepavali greetings to all our Brethren for the relevant festivals that lie before this month and pray that they bring peace and prosperity.