Trade Fair Delhi 2019 - Entry free for Senior Citizens

Trade Fair in New Delhi to open for general

public from today

The ongoing 39th India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi will open for general public from today. The event which began from 14th of November will continue till 27th of this month.

The first five days of the event were reserved for business.

This year the theme of the fair is  'Ease of Doing Business'. People can visit the fair from 9.30 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. For visitors during weekdays, ticket charges will be 60 rupees for adults and 40 rupees for children.

On Saturday, Sunday and any public holiday, the tickets will be 120 rupees for adult and 60 rupees for children.

However, entry for senior citizens will be free on presentation of valid documents with photo.


Tickets are available at 66 metro stations, excluding Pragati Maidan metro station and entry gates of the trade fair.

Senior citizens to get 150 free stays at these places

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Raghavendra Rao Venkatasubbarao vrvrao45@gmail.com [sss-global] <sss-global@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2019 at 08:17
Subject: [sss-global] Senior citizens to get 150 free stays at these places
To: sss-global <sss-global@yahoogroups.com>

Senior citizens to get 150 free stays at these places

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated: Sep 11, 2019, 12:12 IST | mid-day online correspondent

https://www.mid-day.com/articles/senior-citizens-to-get-150-free-stays-at-these-places/21713183

The first-come-first-serve offer is applicable to all members of the group who are over the age of 60.

Branded stay Vista Rooms on Tuesday announced its offer for family getaways in which senior citizen can avail fress stay at some of their properties in key holiday destinations across India between September 15 and October 15.

The first-come-first-serve offer is applicable to all members of the group who are over the age of 60. Vista Rooms' 300+ partner homes such as Breeze in the Hills (Lonavala), Acacia Villa (Coorg) and Meadow on the Ridge (Kasauli) will leave you spoilt for choice.

To avail this offer, a booking request with the comment 'senior citizen,' or their hashtag #60PlusStayOnUs.

FROM COIMBATORE- V RAGHAVENDRA RAO

V.RAGHAVENDRA RAO,

18/301, Priya Mangla Presidency Apartments,

Mettupalayam Road, Thudiyalur Post,

COIMBATORE-641034.

Airports to give better facilities to senior citizens

Improve passenger experience at airports for senior citizens, first time flyers: DGCA to airlines - Times of India

Saurabh Sinha| TNN | Aug 6, 2019, 21:39 IST

NEW DELHI: After putting in place rules to punish unruly flyers, the government has now asked airlines and airport operators to ensure a good flying experience to passengers at airports — especially from the time they check-in to when they reach boarding gates. 

Accordingly, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) chief Arun Kumar has directed that airports, Indian carriers and foreign airlines operating to India must facilitate all passengers, especially senior citizens, expectant mothers, passengers with disability and first time travellers.

In an order issued last week, the regulator has warned the service providers "shall be liable of penal action as per the provisions of the Aircraft Act… and other relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code." If they fail to do so. "As all passengers are very important, valued and esteemed customers, any incident of misdemeanour, discourteous behaviour and harassment shall be dealt by the airline/airport operator on top priority basis and shall be reported to DGCA," says the order dated August 2. 

"Airline/airport operator shall ensure provision of automated buggies free of charge for all senior citizens, expectant mothers and disabled passengers in the terminal building to facilitate their access to boarding gates located beyond reasonable walking distance at all airports having annual aircraft movements of 50,000 or more. This facility may be extended to other needy passengers on demand basis free of charge," the rule says. 

"Airport operators shall provide small trolleys after security check for carriage of hand baggage up to the boarding gate. Airport operator shall adequately display information regarding availability of automated buggies and small trolleys in the terminal building a prominent locations including dos and don'ts regarding the same. This shall also be published on the website of the airport operator," it adds. 

Airlines and airport operators will need to display the contact details of their contact person for passenger grievance redressal. "Airlines/airport operators shall ensure that all the complaints are acknowledged immediately to the complainant and redressed at the earliest but not exceeding one month. In case of non-redressal of the matter within the stipulated time frame, the complainant has the option to lodge his complaint at 'AirSewa' web-portal/mobile application or take up the matter with any other statutory body set up under relevant applicable laws for resolution," Kumar's order adds. 

The order extends to the ground staff of airlines and airports who are engaged in passenger handling. They must be "extremely polite and courteous behaviour towards the travelling public. They shall render all assistance to facilitate their travel." The ground handling interacting with passengers staff will need to be given "periodic soft skill training for sensitisation, courtesy, behaviour and procedures for assisting the passengers."

"Although the primary objective of all stakeholders is to provide safe, efficient and reliable air transportation, the improvement in facilities and service standards is much required. There is a need to… create much more passenger friendly environment in aviation. With the expansion of airports, distances to check-in counters security hold area and boarding gate has increased manifolds requiring passengers lugging their carry-on baggage to cover long distances," the order itself explains why it is being issued.

Latest Comment

Regulator may also include in this advisory to passengers and public also that they also must exercise restraint and should not engage in unruly behaviour while dealing with airline staff. Most of ... Read More

Gopal B

Most of airlines and airports have outsourced passenger handling services. These outsourced "vendors have high attrition rate, resulting in inability in to provide quality services to passengers. Further, passengers remain most unattended after the check-in is completed till they arrive at the boarding point, which has caused increase in number of passenger complaints in the recent past."

"It is imperative to strengthen customer service skills at airport level especially in areas of courtesy and behaviour by all stakeholders to mitigate passenger inconvenience and make air travel a pleasant experience…. facilities for the travellers also need to be upgraded which have been necessitated with the increasing size and upgradation of airports," it says.

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
040-27846631 / 09490804278 / +918179386472

Why is it that I often get info about senior citizens only from Phillippines and not other countries?

Senior Citizens in Gujarat get free trip to Nepal

Ashok Gehlot govt to fly elderly pilgrims free to Nepal's Pashupatinath temple

June 21, 2019

UPDATED: June 21, 2019 00:37 IST

The elderly pilgrims heading to Uttarkhand's shrines will avail free air travel till Dehradun. (Representational Image: Getty Images)

The Rajasthan government has decided to fly its senior citizens free of cost to three more pilgrimage destinations, including Pashupatinath temple in Nepal, an official statement said Thursday.

The two other destinations that the state's elderly residents would be flown free this year onward are Dehradun and Kolkata en route to shrines in Uttarakahd and West Bengal.

Besides adding three more "pilgrimage-circuit" destinations to the six existing ones on its free air route map, the Gehlot government has also decided to add two more pilgrimage-circuits on its free rail travel routs.

The senior citizens going to Pashupatinath Temple will be flown free of cost to Kathmandu, while those heading for Gangasagar-Dakshineshwar Kali-Velur Math will be flown to Kolkata, the statement said.

The elderly pilgrims heading to Uttarkhand's shrines will avail free air travel till Dehradun, the statement said, adding their onward travels will then be facilitated through bus.

The two new circuits added to the rail route map are Srigovardhan-Nandgaon-Barsana-Mathura-Vrindavan circuit and Ajmer (Ajmer Sharif)-Delhi (Dargah of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya)-Fatehpur-Sikri-Agra (Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti), the statement said.

With the new additions, the Rajasthan government will now be providing free air travel to its senior citizens to nine destinations and free rail travel to eight destinations, the statement said.

The decision to add more destinations for free pilgrimage for elderly state residents were taken Wednesday after modifying the state's Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme, the statement said.

Announcing the decision, State Tourism and Devsthan Department Minister Vishvendra Singh said, "5,000 passengers will go by airplane and another 5,000 by rail this year."

Applications to avail the benefit of the scheme can be made from July 5, he added.

Under the modified scheme, citizens aged 65 years or more going by train can now take one person to assist them, said the statement.

The facility was earlier available only for pilgrims above the age of 70 years.

The retired government employees will also be able to avail the scheme, said the statement, adding five per cent seats among the pilgrims would be reserved for journalists aged 60 years or more.

============

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ashok-gehlot-govt-to-fly-elderly-pilgrims-free-to-nepal-s-pashupatinath-temple-1553128-2019-06-21 

 

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
040-27846631 / 09490804278 / +918179386472

What is the difference between "Non-Orofit" and "Nor-for-profit" organisations?

I'm protected online with Avast Free Antivirus. Get it here — it's free forever.

TS tourism gives 25 per cent concession

To: SSS <sss-global@yahoogroups.com>

TASCA has managed to convince tourism dept in Telangana to offer 25% discount in hotels and tourist spots to senior citizens.

25 percent concession in Telangana in tourist spots and hotels -- TASCA achievement

See News item attached

I'm protected online with Avast Free Antivirus. Get it here — it's free forever.

Empowerji APP for learning

'Empowerji': An app to empower senior citizens with technology

They have conducted tech workshops to teach seniors about how to use apps and sites where they inform users of continued tech learning via Empowerji.

Published: 17th January 2019 12:23 AM  |   Last Updated: 17th January 2019 0 

By Karthik K K

Express News Service

KOCHI: Empowerji is multi-lingual learning app for senior citizens which is focused on guiding senior citizens with the latest technology to use applications in the digital age. The app is designed for keeping seniors in mind and uses the audio-visual medium to simplify the use of mobile apps, sites, and other techs. Launched in the month of December 2018, Empowerji's model is based on a freemium model with a subscription service and is free for most of the tech learning content.

Sharing the reason behind coming up with this distinctive start-up Aparna Thakker, CEO and founder of Empowerji said, "Empowerji is inspired by first-hand experiences from people close to me. The convenience that technology brings is undeniable, but I observed that senior citizens shied away from using it. For most of the senior population, using apps, sites, and devices does not come naturally. And because of this, though there are easier tech alternatives to doing things, seniors continue to do things the old tedious way. I thought that if there was someone to simplify technology to seniors, it may not be as daunting for them to adopt it in their daily life. That is why I founded Empowerji which literally means empowering the ji's (auntyji's and uncleji's) in our lives."

"Since seniors need repeated help to master new tech processes, we created the Empowerji App which teaches them how to use tech in video form which they can play anytime anywhere. The App is aiming at bridging the gap between seniors and technology so that they can live an independent life," says Aparna, an MBA graduate from Welingkar Institute of Management in Mumbai.

In its current form, the App is free and available in Hindi, English, Marathi, and Gujarati. On every screen, there is a voice guidance option explaining what the user can do with the screen and also a video demo of how to use the Empowerji App. The App uses short videos which explain in simple steps how other mobile apps, sites or devices are to be used. 

Offline activities are also being conducted by the team to reach seniors. They have conducted tech workshops to teach seniors about how to use apps and sites where they inform users of continued tech learning via Empowerji.

Revealing on the challenges faced by her while establishing this start-up Aparna said, "Though I knew what I wanted the app to do, designing the look and feel of the App for a senior audience was not easy and took some iterations. In fact, we still continue to act on user feedback to improve the usability of it. There are no good resources for designing apps for the 50 plus age group. We have struggled with coming up with an intuitive user interface for seniors. We will continue to take feedback from our users and iterate our design and services," she adding, "Very soon we will be launching paid services for our users. We are looking for brand partnerships as well."  

Sharing her advice to start-up aspirants Aparna says, "I strongly believe that having a great idea will only get you started. The most important aspect of a startup journey is execution. It is also valuable to associate with an experienced mentor who believes in your vision and can guide you."

In a Nutshell

• 'Empowerji' was founded in 2018 by Aparna Thakker an MBA graduate from Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai

• It intends to make internet usage easier for senior citizens who find it unfamiliar

• The app is free and available in Hindi, English, Marathi, and Gujarati

• Headquartered at Mumbai, the startup has a strategic angel investor on board

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2019/jan/17/an-app-to-empower-senior-citizens-with-technology-1926019.html

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
040-27846631 / 09490804278 / +918179386472

Is there any device to mount a mobile phone to keep it steady while taking a video?

I'm protected online with Avast Free Antivirus. Get it here — it's free forever.

Helping Sr. Citizens for their health check ups @ Low and affordable prices. (Hyderabad)

If any senior citizen in Hyderabad is interested in having medical / health checkup or diagnostic tests at a substantial discount (30% to 40% cheaper) he may approach:

Sandeep Polapala

#63, Pragati Enclave, Miyapur, Hyderabad

Mob 9618511155  sandeep.polapala@gmail.com

He has rich experience and connections with outfits like CallHealth, hospitals, diagnostic labs etc

This is a one-off email. Persons interested should contact Mr Sandeep directly and not write back to me or to the group in which you may be a member. Please do not "reply all" - you may not be a member in other groups and your messages will bounce back.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: SANDEEP POLAPALA <sandeep.polapala@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2019 at 13:14
Subject: To Help Sr. Citizens for their health check ups @ Low and affordable prices.
To: <vyasamoorthy@gmail.com>

Dear Sir,

As per our telephonic conversation happened very recently, To know about me, Please find my profile in attachments. 

Objective: My main objective of work is to help Senior Citizens for having their health checkups (Blood tests/Scans/others) at subsidized prices without compromising on Quality standards in the area of Hyderabad city limits.

We shall help Sr. citizens with the subsidized prices towards their health checkups @Regular intervals.

We offer Lab test @30 to 40 % off on the existing market prices.

Regards

Sandeep Polapala

--

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
040-27846631 / 09490804278

Why is the bottom most buttonhole in  men's shirts horizontal while rest are vertical?

​New Delhi World Book Fair 2019

I was wondering why I was alerted by Google on this story until I read the very last line.

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New Delhi World Book Fair 2019: All opinions should be represented, respected in literature says Javadekar

Inaugurating the 27th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair on Saturday, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar expressed joy on the increasing popularity of books in India.

Edited by: India TV Lifestyle Desk, New Delhi [ Published on: January 05, 2019 17:54 IST ]

New Delhi World Book Fair 2019: All opinions should be represented, respected in literature says Javadekar

Inaugurating the 27th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair on Saturday, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar expressed joy on the increasing popularity of books in India and maintained that all opinions should be represented and respected in literature.

He said books expose their readers to new dimensions and hoped that with the increasing popularity of books in India, the exchange of perspectives as well as the interest in "representing and respecting" all opinions will increase.

"Books teach us important values of life. I hope we are able to exchange our views and represent all opinions in literature. Respect towards all opinions should increase too," he said.

Javadekar said books have not lost their popularity even after the advent of television, internet, e-books and more lately, audio books.

"We may read only 50-60 pages in a day but that brings us joy. It exposes us to new thoughts and imagination. Different experiences of the world are brought together in books. Indians love reading, and it is growing at a steady pace in the country," he said.

He recalled that over 12 lakh visitors thronged the multiple stalls at the book fair in its last edition and hoped that readers would come out in "even greater numbers" this year.

"Several cultural events will also be taking place on the sidelines of the book fair and I am extremely delighted to see the efforts of National Book Trust (NBT) yield results.

"Books give a new meaning to life. More people should read and all views should be represented and respected in the literature. The fulfilment of life does not come from earning money, it comes from reading," said the 67-year-old politician.

UAE's third largest emirate Sharjah has been invited as the guest of honour this year. Javadekar said that the "real friendship and real partnership" between India and UAE is "exhibited through this joint effort".

Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, executive chairman of the Department of Government Relations, Sharjah, attended the inauguration event as the chief guest.

"The most inspiring success stories are written by countries that celebrate diversity, respect different opinions and make the most by learning from others," Al Qasimi said, reiterating the UAE president's declaration of 2019 as the "Year of Tolerance".

It is organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), along with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

"Pakistan was allotted a stall but while over 20 countries have come to attend this celebration of books, they didn't turn up," NBT chairman, Baldev Bhai Sharma told IANS on the sidelines.

Javadekar regretted that visitors may have to face some difficulties due to the ongoing construction at Pragati Maidan but urged them to come forward in large numbers.

"We are constructing a world-class Integrated Exhibition Cum Convention Center here but nothing is achieved without some pain. You may have to walk through narrow lanes this time but this should not dissuade you from coming to the fair in large numbers because books here make up for all the pain," he said.

The theme for this year of the fair is "Readers with Special Needs".

The special exhibition of books on and by Mahatma Gandhi is also being showcased and sold to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the father of the nation. Over 600 publishers are selling their books in about 1300 stalls at the book fair.

Tickets are priced at Rs 30 for adults and Rs 20 for children, available online, at selected metro stations and Pragati Maidan gate no. 1 and 10. Entry for students in school uniform, senior citizens and differently abled are free.

===========

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Dr P Vyasamoorthy
040-27846631 / 09490804278
https://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

Ministry of Home Affairs has issued TWO advisories on police handling senior citizens. I was aware of only one