New Delhi, June 07: Facebook and Orkut along with other social networking sites are not sole domain of youngsters alone, senior citizens are also using technology to catch up with lost friends or share views with like-minded communities.
To fill the colour in retired life of lonely Indians, a website completely dedicated to the elderly has been launched recently.
"Many surfers of our website have been vocal about their need to make friends, have space to voice their thoughts without being judged by younger generation and remain active.
One member feels our website helps bring out their "pachpan ka bachpan," says Ishita Sukhadawala, promoter of Verdurez.com, a social networking site for senior Indians.
"The website is for Indians and NRIs aged 55 years and above to connect and engage with fellow senior surfers. The aim is to reduce the feeling of loneliness and isolation which comes with old age and promote life after fifty-five," she adds.
The members of the website can network through blogs, forums, book clubs, image galleries, polls, daily discussions, classifieds and chat rooms.
"The only condition to join the site is that the member must be above 55 years old. The authenticity of the information is the responsibility of the user," says Sukhadawala.
According to a report by Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the number of senior Indians going online is rapidly increasing. The study shows that "these are successful senior Indians enjoying living life to the full and have adopted and adapted to technology and predominantly use it for emotional reasons."
The report showcases that 15 per cent of senior netizens access the Internet from cyber cafes with 81 percent using the Internet for more than five hours a week.
"Internet has become a household thing in India. And with the current lifestyle in most parts of urban India, the senior members of the family feel lonely. And going on social networking sites to make friends is nothing unusual. With less physical activities, where will they find friends to chat?," says psychologist Samir Parikh.
According to a report by HelpAge India, India is home to over 80 million elderly. The figure is expected to increase to 177 million by 2025.
Apart from social networking sites, the elderly are also using the online medium to earn money through stock market or jobs.
The 65-year-old Ramaswamy, who lives in a rich old age home in the capital, keeps abreast with the latest market developments from his personal computer with internet connection.
"Internet is the best thing to happen to this generation. I am earning after retirement all because of internet. I have a DMAT account and as the market is showing signs of recovery with Sensex touching 15000, I am making money again," he says.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, June 07, 2009, 14:52