My mother, Ashoka Chaudhuri, who is in her late seventies, often tells me about Support Elders, an organization mom joined a couple of years ago, which specializes in giving comprehensive care to senior citizens. Someone calls her every morning to ascertain that she is okay, and once a week, or whenever required, a staff member visits her and takes care of her problems. Also she has been given a special watch/GPS/telephone for emergencies. As most of the staff members are Ex-Servicemen, my mom feels comfortable with them, as my dad was an Ex-Indian Navy officer.

She also tells me about all the various activities which Support Elders organizes for members – like movies, lectures, picnics, sightseeing etc.

So, during my last visit to Kolkata when mom invited me to attend the ‘Support Elders Silver Connect New Year’s Party’ in Rabindra Okakura hall, in Salt Lake, on 2nd January 2020, I accepted right away. The Rajput Regiment(TA) Band was excellent and brought back many childhood memories and the ‘Chelo Kebab’ lunch from Peter Cat was nostalgic.

What impressed me the most however, was the dedication, compassion and patience with which the staff, mostly Ex-Servicemen, looked after the large number of senior citizens, with smiling efficiency. To be able to organize, such an event with close attention to details, requires an excellent behind the scene, planning and execution teamwork. It was very creditable.

My brother, who lives in Toronto, Canada, and I in Abu Dhabi, UAE, are always concerned that we have no option but to leave our mother behind alone in Kolkata. Now, having seen how well she is looked after by Support Elders, I am going back much reassured. That help for my mother is just a phone call away is a great comfort to both of us.

Thank you Support Elders.

Dear Support Elders Team

Let me assure you, the help you gave me and the cheerful, ungrudging service you rendered for organising my 80th birthday celebrations. In the absence of my own children you were like a supporting son to me.

I would like to Express my most sincere gratitude for making my 80th birthday such an enjoyable and memorable day that I’ll cherish forever.

Srilekha Mukherjee after her 80th birthday

It was very nice talking to & meeting the members of your team during my visit to Kolkata. Thank you very much for all that you have been doing to support my parents especially during this time when my mother had to be hospitalized. It means a lot to us.

Thanks!

We have become members of your esteemed organisation only about six months ago. The courtesy, promptness and efficiency shown by your personnel impressed us greatly who were ever willing to assist us in our various activities.

I am writing this letter to express my special appreciation of the help received from your field personnel, when my wife had a serious head injury due to a fall, at the dead of night on the 21st.July,2019. Within 45 minutes of contacting them, through the wearable gadget provided by you, they were at my residence with an ambulance and take her to the nearest hospital. They followed it up with visits to the hospital till she was brought back home. My sincere thanks.

On similar earlier occasions I thought I was alone. Now I know Support Elders are by my side. This is a great morale booster.

I hope our relations will continue to grow.