Associations of retired employees are recognized everywhere all over India, by the Central/State Governments, the Defence establishments, Posts and Telecommunications, the Railways etc. Former employees of all these bodies have formed themselves into their own individual organizations. The Government of India has constituted Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) which came into existence on 31.07.1986 to deal and interact with these pensioners' associations. The rationale of the committee is stated by the Government as "to provide input for making decision on matters more responsive to public needs".

"The Members of the Committee (SCOVA) are selected from the well-known and active organisations of pensioners representing various interests like Ex-servicemen, Central Government, Railway, P & T Pensioners. The term of non-official Members is for a period of one year on completion of which the SCOVA is reconstituted. TA/DA at prescribed rates are paid to SCOVA members for attending the meetings.

The SCOVA meeting provide an interface between pensioners association and official members of the major departments of Government of India .The meetings have a structured agenda and this agenda is drawn up in consultation with the Associations. The exchange of views in these meetings have been found to be fruitful. The proceedings of the meetings are circulated to the participants and action is taken by the department on the issues discussed at the meetings"

The objectives set for the meeting with SCOVA are defined as under:

• To provide feedback of programme implementation of the Department;

• To discuss and critically examine new policy initiatives; and

• To mobilise voluntary efforts to supplement the Government action.
  (Source: Website of Govt. of India -Dept of Personal, Public Grievance & Pension)

Getting membership of an association provides a bridge to link him with the past career and activities. But what about the other distinct problems of old age that the retired employee may face in his new environment? Here again please ponder awhile and look at the realities. The world is wide and large. Longevity has come to stay in all countries. This century has been witness to a silent revolution - unseen, unheard, and yet so close. The biggest achievement of the century is longevity. All over the world life expectancy has risen, leading to a sharp rise in the number of older persons. In India life expectancy has gone up from 20 years in the beginning of the century to 62 years today. Better medical care and low fertility have made the elderly the fastest growing section of society. In France, it took 120 years for the gray population to double from 7 % to 14 %. But in India, the gray population has doubled in 25 years!

The story in figures:
1901 -- 12 million older persons.
1951 - 19 million
1999 - 70 million.

By 2025, this gray population will be a whopping 177 million!

While the numbers have gone up, quality of life has gone down. Industrialization, migration, urbanization and westernisation have severely affected value systems. The erstwhile joint family, the natural support system, has crumbled. The fast-changing pace of life has added to the woes of the older person. Worldwide countries have given attention to the problem of the aged. The United Nationals General Assembly has passed a Resolution stressing the rights of the older generations in all member countries. (United Nations Principles for Older Persons adopted by the UN General Assembly December 16, 1991 - Resolution 46/91) (Text of the Resolution in Annexure -4). An Organization styled "International Senior Citizens Association" has come into existence in Los Angeles (California) USA long back and has enunciated its historical proclamation of Senior Citizens Rights as early as 1974. It has enunciated the following five fundamental rights of older citizens:

1. Old people are entitled to physical existence and welfare;

2. Old people have the right to economic existence and welfare;

3. Old people have the right to social existence

4. Old people have the right to cultural existence;

5. Old people have the right of themselves;

In Western countries the inherent provisions for social security embedded in their system looks after the health care and other problems of the aged. Such in-built safeguards are not yet available in the developing countries. In India the governments both at the Centre and the States, several Public and Non-Government Organizations have come forward to ameliorate the problems faced by the senior citizens. All these developments immensely warrant that the senior citizens in the first instance organize themselves in identifiable groups based on their past career or service organisation and represent themselves properly to secure their interests.

The retired employees of MYBANK coming forward to organize themselves into a welfare association must have distinct aims and objectives. What are the priorities of life in this new environment for the retired bank employee?

The first priority is to regain and continue his identity in society as a professional banker. He may be an ex-officer or ex-employee for the Bank, but he is not to become an ex-banker or ex-professional. He must protect, preserve and update his skill and knowledge base. His contribution must be available to the knowledge capital of the country. He should not allow the wealth of his knowledge to dwindle or erode. And he should not be allowed to be discarded as a spent force with no residual value. He must be made to form part of the active elite, in particular banking professionals of the country taking keen interest in the current developments in finance and banking.

The end or goal of knowledge and skill lies in its utilization. It is here the primary role of the Association of retired bank employees must consider. Knowledge is like a candle burning. As long as it burns it sheds a glow and emits radiance. But once smothered it is lost and gone. A couple of years of drifting and time misspent in effortless pursuits, the former banker no longer retains his knowledge bank and turns senile and adds to the human scrap of the society. How to find a source for retention, application and productive demonstration of the knowledge and expertise possessed by these employees? The Association is an inspiration to accomplish this goal.

The other priorities should be health, physical activity and relaxation, family, friends and financial comfort. Because health is the top priority, a far greater attention needs to be endowed to this subject. This is an area where neglect or inattention may cost dearly. The retired employee should gather all tips and information relating to both mental and physical well being and implement them steadfastly. This is a must and do not crib or find fault.

"Do not let frustrations or your limitations get the better of you. Try to adjust with family and society. Think of what you can do rather than what you cannot. With this positive attitude, your time will be well-spent and your life will be fuller and richer."

As members of an informal voluntary organization, they will be able to fulfill their desire to socialize with others. They will have the satisfaction of a schedule of activity. The informal organization also provides them a source of strength and protection. Through this forum they are able to communicate with the formal organization i.e. MYBANK. Informal organization is also a training ground for informal leaders, as also to other members.