“Helpline needed”

I endorse what Khorshed Javeri has written ("Helpline needed,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, May 21, 2010). Old Parsis staying alone often suddenly need assistance. Even in their day-to-day existence they need help in activities like shopping, going to the bank or visiting the doctor.

I suggest that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) start a group called Helping Hands, perhaps as part of the Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG). Youngsters willing to help should go from flat to flat in our baugs and housing colonies to persuade senior citizens to register with them. They should visit these senior citizens regularly to see how they are faring. Telephone numbers and addresses of helpers along with important numbers such as of the BPP, doctors, ambulances, hospitals, etc should be printed in a booklet and placed near the telephones of registered members.

In case of a medical emergency or even for a visit to a doctor old Parsis can contact volunteers for help. If there are at least 10 volunteers in every baug and colony, they would be of great assistance to the old. At the initial stage, it would not be necessary to have a 24x7 telephonic helpline as the phone numbers of the helpers would be sufficient. A telephone being of great help to the elderly, the BPP should give free telephones to old Parsis who can’t afford them.

I am sure members of ZYNG could come up with other ways in which to help the old. I hope the BPP implements such a scheme as quickly as possible.

JAL S. DESAI

jaldesai@hotmail.com