HelpAge India launches the ‘AdvantAge60: Powering Aspirations’ campaign, redefining ageing with power & promise for elders to lead Active, Enabled & Empowered lives!
Chennai, 30th September 2025: HelpAge marks ‘International Day of Older Persons 2025’ with its campaign ‘AdvantAge60: Powering Aspirations – Active, Enabled & Empowered,’ to celebrate the strength, resilience, and untapped potential of India’s elders, challenging stereotypes of ageing and showcasing how life after sixty can be a vibrant stage of active engagement and fulfilment.
It was graced by the Chief Guest, Justice N. Kirubakaran, Former Judge, Madras High Court and Guest of Honour Mr. V. BalaKrishnan, IPS, Inspector General of Police -Administration, Tamil Nadu Police along with special guests such as Dr. B. Sulu Priya, Associate Professor & Head of the Department, Department of Social Work, D.G Vaishnav College, Chennai, and Ms. M. Haritha, District Social Welfare Officer, Chennai North.
An earlier 2022 HelpAge India report revealed, that 40% of elders feel able and want to continue contributing and working in their later years and want to be employed for ‘as long as possible.’
A research study done earlier this year by the organization on understanding perceptions on ageing, stated that most youth of today perceive elders as being ‘dependent” (48%), but on the other hand also ‘wise’ (51%) and ‘respected’ (43%).
“It is vital that we recognize the potential and promise of life after sixty. Today, a growing number of senior citizens aspire to remain active, engaged and valued – not be seen as dependents but as contributing members of society. They seek opportunities to work, start ventures, volunteer, mentor and to share their wealth of experience – yet the platforms available for them remain limited. This makes it imperative for us to build an enabling environment across every sphere – in policy, in workplaces, and within communities. AdvantAge 60 is a call-to-action for all stakeholders to make this possible. We must create meaningful channels for elders to apply their lifelong learnings, wisdom and skills. Let age not become a barrier, but instead reimagine ageing as a stage of life with a renewed purpose, filled with possibilities” says Mr. Rohit Prasad, CEO, HelpAge India.
Mr. Kiran Karnik, currently Chairperson of HelpAge India, and a man who has worn multiple hats in life: a leading role in the IT sector, introducing Discovery Channel in India and S. Asia, and over two decades in ISRO focusing on applications of space technology, amongst other roles. Now, a writer and columnist passionately interested in public policy and strategy, he feels strongly about the elder cause.
“Today’s theme ‘AdvantAge60: Powering Aspirations’ is extremely close to my heart. I think the first step is towards making any impactful change is a change in mindset, whereby elders are seen as an asset and not a burden. Improvements in medicine, science, and healthcare have resulted in longevity now taking centre stage, and the concept of “active ageing”. The proportion and number of elders in our population will practically double over the next 25 years, creating a major demographic shift. While we are currently benefitting from the youth bulge in our population (the “demographic dividend”), imagine the impact if we could add to that the contribution of nearly 140 million elderly! All it needs is some training or skilling in appropriate areas for these seniors, appropriate opportunities and, of course, elder-focused healthcare. The promise of how this can change (and improve) lives, community and industry, is truly unimaginable. The elders lived experiences can be such a rich resource bank for generations to tap into. What is required is a systemic change in how we approach elder needs, and the creation of avenues for them to realise their potential, so that we add life to their years and not just years to their life” says Karnik, Chairperson, HelpAge India.
The ‘AdvantAge Achievers’ award was conferred to Mr. R.T. Namasivayam, 87 Years, past President of Probus Club of Chennai. He is passionately committed to the welfare of the elderly, and he has served in key roles, including Vice President of FOSCATAN, Council Member of AISSCON, Vice Chairperson of ISU3A (South Zone), and Core Member of UDHAVI. Beyond leadership, he actively engages with old age homes, organizing tours, supporting residents with companionship and mobility aids, and sponsoring essential care for the destitute, embodying a lifelong spirit of service and compassion.
The day was also marked by honouring nonagenarians who have led exemplary & purposeful lives, and continue to contribute to society and are a true beacon of active ageing, such as Ms. Lakshmi- 94 years (from Mercy Home), Ms. Veronica- 91 years (Don Bosco Beatitudes), Kalyanassundram- 91 Years (Anandam Old Age Home), Mr. Rajagopalan- 92 Years (Akshya Trust), Ms. Lalitha- 98 Years (Vishranthi Charitbale Trust).
Through the launch of the campaign, HelpAge plans to further boost its efforts in encouraging active ageing through its own programmes for the elderly, whether it be in the rural or urban space. It has already been actively doing this, through its livelihood & income generation programmes, while also empowering seniors with digital skills, to help them adapt to an ever-evolving digital landscape. To keep elders engaged and healthy in later years, HelpAge is placing strong emphasis on preventive healthcare and extending basic healthcare services through its Mobile Healthcare programme, which reaches some of the most remote corners of the country.
About HelpAge India
HelpAge India is a leading non-profit organization working with and for older people in India for the past 46 years. It runs healthcare, agecare, livelihood, disaster response and digital empowerment programs throughout the country & advocates strongly for the elder cause working collaboratively with stakeholders. It became the first and only Indian organization to be honoured with the ‘UN Population Award 2020’ for its exemplary work in the field of ageing and population issues, and earlier in 2014, has been the recipient of ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ by Government of India as an institution working for senior citizens.
For more details, visit HelpAge India
