Thank You, Greater Kashmir For Standing with Seniors
As a senior citizen, one often reaches a stage in life where experience is abundant, but platforms to express that experience become scarce. For many of us, ageing quietly translates into being unheard, unseen, and sometimes misunderstood. It is from this space that I wish to share my reflections on the Senior Citizens Lounge (SCL) initiative of Greater Kashmir and the Moul Mouj Foundation (MMF), an initiative I have been reading, following, and learning from for the last more than three years.
When SCL was introduced, I was curious. Over time, that curiosity turned into anticipation. Week after week, SCL addressed issues that were deeply relevant to seniors like me, issues we discuss within our homes but rarely see articulated in public discourse. From social neglect, domestic challenges, intergenerational conflicts, to legal rights of parents and senior citizens, SCL brought clarity, confidence and awareness. It did not speak about seniors; it spoke with seniors. That distinction matters.
What makes SCL truly meaningful is that it has given seniors a voice. It has created a dignified space where our concerns are acknowledged, our experiences validated and our opinions respected. Many seniors, including myself, found the courage to reflect, respond, and even contribute. The Lounge became a collective platform, where one senior’s story resonated with another and where shared struggles transformed into shared strength.
Equally impactful has been the Moul Mouj Health Corner, which I find extremely interactive and engaging. Health, especially in old age, is not just about medicines, it is about awareness, prevention and timely guidance. The health columns offered seasonal tips, practical advice, and medically sound information in a language that seniors can understand and relate to. Whether it was about winter care, joint pains, diabetes management, heart health, or mental well-being, the Health columns addressed real concerns with sensitivity and responsibility.
What pleasantly surprised me was the ripple effect of these columns. Many children and younger family members began reading them too. Through SCL and the Health Corner, they became more aware of the needs, vulnerabilities, and rights of seniors. In a subtle yet powerful way, it helped bridge the generational gap, encouraging empathy where there was indifference, and understanding where there was ignorance. This, in my view, is one of the most significant contributions of the initiative.
Another important aspect of the Senior Citizens Lounge that deserves appreciation is its balanced and responsible tone. In an age of sensationalism and superficial content, SCL has maintained maturity, depth and ethical sensitivity. It neither exaggerates the problems of seniors nor trivializes them. Instead, it presents issues with facts, empathy, and solutions—encouraging dialogue rather than conflict within families and society.
SCL has also helped seniors rediscover their sense of relevance. Reading thoughtful columns that invite reflection makes one feel intellectually alive and socially connected. It subtly motivates seniors to remain engaged with current affairs, health awareness, and civic responsibility. Many seniors, who otherwise feel isolated, find a sense of belonging through this shared reading experience.
Most importantly, SCL restores dignity to ageing. It reminds society that senior citizens are not burdens but repositories of wisdom, resilience and lived history. That message, consistently conveyed, is perhaps its greatest service to our collective conscience.
There is no doubt that a large number of seniors are benefiting from SCL, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. For many, it has become a weekly companion. Seniors like me wait for SCL in Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma with genuine interest. It reassures us that our issues matter, that we are not alone, and that someone is consistently advocating for our health, dignity and rights.
I also recall with gratitude the gathering held on the completion of three years of SCL, which I had the opportunity to attend. It was not just a celebration of a weekly page; it was a celebration of collective effort, sustained commitment and social responsibility. During that interaction, many of us suggested that the SCL columns should also be published in Urdu so that they could reach a wider section of seniors, especially those more comfortable reading in Urdu. Alhamdulillah, that suggestion was warmly received.
Since then, we have been fortunate to see SCL columns in Kashmir Uzma, making this initiative more inclusive and accessible. This step alone has multiplied its impact, ensuring that language does not become a barrier to awareness and empowerment.
I wish to place on record my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Fayaz Kalloo Sahab, Dr. Zubair Sahab, Mr Mehmood Sahab and the entire teams of Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma for their vision, sincerity, and commitment. Initiatives like SCL do not happen by accident; they are the result of conscious choices made by people who care deeply about society’s most experienced yet most vulnerable members.
For seniors like me, SCL is more than a column, it is recognition. It is reassurance. It is a reminder that ageing does not mean invisibility. I sincerely hope this initiative continues to grow, evolve, and inspire more such platforms across the country. Because when seniors are heard, society becomes wiser.
The author is associated with various social service initiatives and is General Secretary of CGPWA, Kashmir
