From J.R. Gupta, Vice-Chairperson, ISU3A(North Zone), President, Senior Citizens Council of Delhi. Email id- guptajr2005@gmail.com, Mobile Number- 09810488059

Membership: The Confederation of Senior Citizens Associations of Delhi (of which I am Chairman) is an umbrella body of 11 lakh (110,000) senior citizens and our U3A membership is drawn from these.

Activities:

Senior Citizens Council of Delhi is a registered Body representing Senior Citizens all over Delhi including NCR duly recognized by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India; Social Welfare Dept. & Bhagidari Cell of Delhi Govt., ICCR and Senior Citizens Cell of Delhi Police. The Council has also created a network of more than 500 active Senior Citizens living alone who are participating in daily social, spiritual and cultural activities, yoga, talks, lectures, interaction sessions, panel discussions etc. at Deer Park Senior Citizens Activities Centre, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi between 06:30am and 08:30am for the last 34 years after coming from different parts of Delhi-NCR. Eminent speakers across the country are invited daily to address the senior Citizens on various subjects.
 
The Council is also extending medical help to such lonely and needy Senior Citizens by taking them to hospitals for check-ups regularly and monitoring their security.

With the continuous efforts of (ISU3A- North Zone)/ Confederation/ Council and personal initiatives of Hon'ble Shri Mukul Wasnik, the then Union Minister, Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India and Hon'ble Smt. Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi; the Union Finance Minister allowed Income Tax Exemption to senior citizens at the age of 60 yrs for the first time in the Union Budget of the year 2011 effective from 1st April 2011. By this, 10 crores senior citizens across country benefited. Earlier, this benefit was at the age of 65 years.

Govt. of India allowed 40% concession in railway tickets for male senior citizens instead of 30%. Age limit of female senior citizens was reduced from 60 yrs to 58 yrs for getting 50% concession in railway tickets.

Delhi Govt. increased Recreation grants to eligible registered Senior citizens Associations from Rs.15,000.00 to Rs.20,000.00 per month to those having accommodation, from Rs.7,000.00 to Rs.10,000.00 per month to those who have only office accommodation w.e.f. 1st April 2011. In addition to this, one time non-recurring Grant was also enhanced from Rs.50,000.00 to Rs.75,000.00.

Delhi Govt. allowed DTC bus passes on concessional rates w.e.f. 1st October 2011 for Rs.50.00 and Rs.150.00 per month in non-AC and AC buses, respectively for senior citizens without any income limit.

The Council & ISU3A (North Zone) motivated 150 members and 120 members in International Conference at Haridwar and Rishikesh in February 2011 and March 2013 by paying a sum of Rs.1.50 lakh and Rs.1.20 lakh as 50% registration amount respectively.

For the last 2 years, The Council & ISU3A (North Zone) are organizing Walkathon at India Gate on every 1st October from 06:00am to 08:30am in association with Help Age India and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India in which more than 4000 senior citizens participate every year. Free transport, T-shirts with cap are provided and breakfast packets are also served. On this occasion, every year, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, addresses the senior citizens from Raj Path, India Gate, New Delhi and thereafter flags Walkathon rally towards India Gate.

Once in a year, the ISU3A (North Zone) organizes Kavi Sammelan in Azad Bhavan Auditorium, near ITO, New Delhi exclusively for senior citizens in association with ICCR and eminent national poets are invited to entertain senior citizens.

Every year, the Council & ISU3A(North Zone) holds Conference of Senior Citizens across Delhi in which more than 450 representatives of Senior Citizens Associations across Delhi participates.

Regular meetings are being held with Chief Minister of Delhi to discuss vital issues concerning Senior Citizens and their redressals from time to time.10. Chief Minister of Delhi also agreed to include a member of Confederation in the State Council for Senior Citizens on the recommendations of its Chairperson, J.R. Gupta.