Amar Singh Club, Srinagar in collaboration with the Moul Mouj Foundation and GK Communications under its ‘Common Interest Conversations’ program observed the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”.
The event was presided over by Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani and other speakers included former Advisor Khursheed A Ganai, President of Central Pensioners Welfare Association, Khifayat Hussain Rizvi, Chairperson of Kashmir Centre for Social & Developmental Studies (KCSDS) Prof. Hameeda Nayeem, and Dr Zubair Saleem Founding Chairman, Moul Mouj Foundation and Prof Yasmeen Ashai, former Director of Colleges.
On behalf of the Club Managing Committee, Club Secretary Nasir Hamid Khan and Rouf Ahmed Punjabi were present. A number of eminent citizens like Saleem Beig, Er SRS Madni, G M Dug, Dr Abdul Majid Siraj, G N War, Mohd Ashraf Mir, Qurat-ul-Ain, Showkat Malik, Masooda Yasin, Masooda Rajpuri, and others participated.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, acknowledged elder abuse as a serious and emerging social concern. He stressed the need for widespread public awareness and said that the government is considering the formation of a committee on the issue, which may include experts from Amar Singh Club and Moul Mouj Foundation to help formulate effective interventions and policy recommendations.
Nasir Hamid Khan, Secretary of Amar Singh Club, while welcoming the participants thanked the Advisor for presiding over the event. He stated that today they had gathered for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day under a clear, urgent message from the United Nations through their theme for the year 2026 which was: “Beyond Awareness — Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work.”
“Awareness matters, but awareness alone is no longer enough. For years we have described the problem — physical harm, emotional neglect, and financial exploitation, but now we need to move from words to systems: from sympathy to practical, lasting prevention. That meant building measures that stop abuse before it starts,” Nasir said.
Nasir said prevention began by changing the environments where our elders live. He stated that he was proud to share that the Club Managing Committee and members had responded to this call by introducing a special category: Senior Dependent Members. Under this initiative, parents of Club members receive Club privileges with no admission fees and no monthly charges. “This simple change reduced isolation, brought seniors into active social life, and lowered their risk of depression, neglect, and vulnerability. It was a small but concrete step that demonstrated how community design prevents harm,” he said.
He said prevention also includes protecting physical health with Paras Group of Hospitals. Through this scheme, Paras will provide our senior members with complimentary health screenings twice a year to enable early detection, privileged consultations with top specialists, geriatric-focused benefits: priority sample collection within a 10 km radius, a dedicated relationship manager (a medico) to assist with OPD and medical guidance, special discounts, and tailored geriatric packages.
Khan appreciated the critical role played by the event collaborators Moul Mouj Foundation in mitigating the sufferings of the elderly and GK Communications in raising community awareness by dedicating substantial space in their newspapers for senior citizen related issues.
Launched last year the Common Interest Conversations to create that space — a forum to exchange views and discuss issues like digital addiction, drug abuse, mental health, women’s wellness, eldercare, and the environment. Another CIC session focused on traffic congestion in Srinagar and other towns of Kashmir was being conducted shortly. These conversations highlighted not only individual and family responsibilities but also the critical importance for a united, proactive society.
“A major obstacle to community action was fragmentation as we have multiplied organisations, associations, and chambers, and in doing so divided our voice and resources. Disagreements existed across economic, social, and environmental lines,” Khan said.
The Secretary informed the participants that after careful thought and consultation with concerned citizens, it was time to move beyond the limitations of the Club. He proposed the formation of the ‘Kashmir Business and Civic Chamber’. According to him, this body would not add to fragmentation but would seek to unite existing organisations and thinking individuals under one umbrella to set and enforce standards of discipline and moral values that a united society can uphold. He said that this body will be formalised in the coming days and invited well-meaning citizens from all walks of life to register as founding members.
He concluded his welcome address by requesting all community leaders and citizens present that let today be the beginning of sustained action. Do not simply watch for signs of distress—build support networks. Check on elderly neighbors, create community monitoring systems, and establish safety nets. Let our elders live in safety, with dignity and respect.
Dr Zubair Saleem, Founder Chairman of Moul Mouj Foundation delivered a keynote address highlighting the tremendous work they have been doing with regard to our Senior Citizens.
Former Advisor to the Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, described elder abuse as a highly relevant issue in contemporary society. He noted that with the elderly population increasing globally, governments and communities must develop mechanisms to address the challenges associated with ageing and elder care.
Prof. Hameedah Nayeem emphasized the importance of inculcating moral values in children from an early age, while Prof. Yasmeen Ashai stressed that awareness and interventions are required at three levels—family, society, and institutions.
Kifayat Hussain Rizvi (Retd. IAS) underscored the importance of religious education and value-based upbringing in nurturing respect and care for elders. The MMF Impact Report 2026 was also released on the occasion. The report highlighted the Foundation’s key interventions during the year. Besides other dignitaries, the release was attended by MMF Advisory Board members Mandip Kaur, Prof. Masooda Yasin and Masooda Rajpuri, along with Prof. Khurshid Aslam Khan, Senior Cardiologist and Advisor to the Seniors’ Heart Care Project, and Prof. M. Ashraf Teli, Radiation Oncologist and Advisor to the Moul Mouj Cancer Care Project.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to work together towards ensuring dignity, care, and protection for senior citizens across society.
