“One Step at a Time” Gives Ashvasan to Elders

The Ashvasan Foundation was started by Lalita Shivaram Ubhayaker and is  now spearheaded by her daughter and Managing Trustee, Ms Malavika Ubhayaker Bijur. They held their annual seminar “One Step at a Time” in association with the Rotary Club of Bangalore on Saturday August 3, at the Rotary House of Friendship.

The Ashvasan Foundation is a charitable, non-governmental voluntary organisation that reaches out to the aged and the lonely. They give  the elderly, care and concern without expectations, solely with the aim to instil and restore a sense of self-esteem, confidence and dignity in the elderly. Ashvasan caters to the health , nutritional and activity needs of the elderly, as well as  providing them with social support.

The seminar was presided over by Rtn. Dr. Elizabeth Cherian Paramesh, President of the Rotary Club of Bangalore. Mr Sudhakar Rao, IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka was the Chief Guest. Rotarians  Shanti Baliga, Sitalakshmi Chinappa,  Dr Gertrude D Souza, Vincent Raj,  Ann Vasundara Raj,  and Rtn.Chetan Kamani were also present at this seminar.

Mr Sudhakar appreciated the activities of the Ashvasan Foundation and reminisced about  his association with the founder Smt Lalita Ubhayaker. President  Elizabeth Cherian Paramesh in her address mentioned that the Rotary Club of Bangalore has as its planned project for the year, support of the elderly in terms of refurbishing elderly care homes and setting up a new home for the absolutely needy elderly.

She also said that the future of elderly care is multi-generational and that one is as old as their soul. Hence, keeping the soul young would ensure that one is young forever. She insisted that it is essential  that the elderly are not socially isolated.  She  also presented a cheque for Rs 10,000/= as  a contribution to the Foundation from the Club.

Dr Ranjan Shetty, Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, spoke on “Keeping the Heart Healthy” and Ms Jayashree Ashok,  Founder Director of the Creative School and Pragya Living Centre spoke on ”Emotional Well-being”.

Over the years, the  Ashvasan Foundation has touched the lives of hundreds of aged and lonely citizens in Bangalore.  The Rotary Club of Bangalore is proud of its association with the Ashvasan Foundation.

Rtn. Chetan Kamani