Silver Talkies Goes On Kay’s Spotlight, Radio One, Bangalore

Silver Talkies’ co-founder Nidhi Chawla spoke to RJ Kay of Radio One for the show Kay’s Spotlight recently. It was a fun chat about our Covid-19 Elders’ Support initiative and going live and online with our talks and workshops for seniors across India and the world. If you missed out on listening in, here’s a recap!

RJ Kay: Good morning and welcome to my show. It’s 94.3 Radio One. Listen, the lockdown might be extended. But of course, I keep you entertained every single weekday right here, 7:00 AM to 12 noon. Now to address this little community, fifty-five and above with me on the phone lines is a person who has significant experience in the field because she runs a start-up that addresses that very community. They’re called Silver Talkies and the founder of Silver Talkies is on the phone lines with me – Nidhi Chawla. Nidhi, how are you? Good morning.

Nidhi: Hey Kay, Good to be here. Thank you so much for having us.

Kay: It’s good to speak with you and honestly, you’ve listened to the show in the past.

Nidhi: Oh yes, I’m a big fan of yours.

Kay: How sweet! Thank you. It was so cool to connect with you because I love what Silver Talkies does. A lot of times we tend to neglect this population, above the age of 55, for a particular reason that sometimes we just don’t look into it enough. Can you explain to me why this community 55 above is so vulnerable, specifically in a time like this?

Nidhi: You’re right Kay. I think we completely forget about them esp. how they are affected because at that age their mobility is affected. While 55 is still very young, the older people are struggling hard to manage their day-to-day chores especially with getting essentials, getting their medicines, or even managing without their house help, many of them are finding it very difficult. Here I am talking about the super seniors, people who are around 70 plus 80 plus.

Kay: You are making it, can I say slightly better for them? Can I say that?

Nidhi: We are trying, yes.

Kay: And weirdly, this is not something that you’ve kind of just discovered after the lockdown. This is something you guys have been doing constantly as Silver Talkies. So let’s come back on the other side and tell everybody about the stuff that you guys do as Silver Talkies, a Bangalore-based startup that looks into the welfare of the age bracket above 55 and talk to them a little bit more.

Kay: Nidhi, I loved the whole idea when I got to know what Silver Talkies does. Tell me about the kind of things that Silver Talkies does. Let’s remove the time of COVID-19. Let’s just say generally, what do you guys do?

Nidhi: Okay. Silver Talkies is an organization which very firmly believes that retirement is not about hanging up your boots. It’s not re-tiring, but it’s about re-wiring. So, we believe that for the age segment, 55 and above, it’s time for them to have fun and do things for which they have never had a chance while they were taking care of their responsibilities. What we do at Silver Talkies – we are a social and intellectual engagement platform where we have social clubs, which anybody who’s above 55 can be a member of. We keep them engaged through a lot of curated activities, events, and workshops that we organize for them. We also give them a space to make new friends and meet new like-minded people. We also run a digital magazine, which is our website www.silvertalkies.com, where they can find information which would very useful and of relevance to them, around a variety of aspects – health, nutrition, feature a lot of seniors who can put many of our youngsters to shame or inspire them to do something different.

Kay: I love it. I love it. I love, I love that viewpoint. I agree with you on many counts. I’m one of those people who love my grandparents and loves spending time with them and sometimes I feel that they’re way younger than I am. Helping out this age bracket 55 and above daily must put a big smile on your face. Am I right?

Nidhi: Oh yes. It’s very gratifying to get those blessings and even with the smallest of things that you do for them the kind of feedback you get from them, it’s humbling.

Kay: So let me ask you, in the time of COVID-19, you’re making a lot of efforts. As we’ve spoken about the things that you guys have done generally but in this time of COVID-19 tell me some of the things that you guys are doing to help out that age bracket a little bit.

Nidhi: Sure. So, we have been trying a few different things. First of all, we are running a volunteering initiative where we have a group of youngsters who have come forward to help out seniors who are home alone and cannot fend for themselves and cannot get groceries or medicines. So, these volunteers step out and buy what they need and deliver it to them. Secondly, we took this time to move our social engagement activities from being offline to an online platform. So, we have continued to engage seniors with our activities. For example, a few days ago, we did a playback theatre workshop with our members. We have something coming up for them again, which is a tea tasting or a tea party, which would be a virtual tea party, where they will be able to see each other and talk to each other while sitting in the comfort of their homes.

Also, we have been, making sure that we get them authentic and genuine information, especially in a time when all social media, is full of fake news and all kinds of forwards. So, we have been speaking to experts and relevant organizations to get information, which is pertinent and genuine for that particular age group. We did a talk on mental health for instance.

Kay: That’s one of the major things I’ve been, one of the areas that you need to focus on in a time like this, especially for them. I want to come back on the other side and I want you to tell me one of the most beautiful stories that Silver Talkies has kind of witnessed from the time that it came into inception to now. I’m sure there’s one story that sticks in your head, which kind of brings a big smile on your face. And let’s also address that issue of not social distancing, but social isolation that happens in a time like this.

Kay: So now tell me what is the one amazing story that comes to your mind about Silver Talkies?

Nidhi: Well actually, there are plenty, but there is one that brings a smile to my face. Very recently we had a program where we had a performance put up by seniors. One of the members who was participating, she was getting onto the stage after some 55 years. She had participated in a stage program when she was 10 years old and had performed on the song Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu and she ended up performing on that song all over again in her old age. She was so excited and thrilled and she set the stage on fire. So, it was really beautiful.

Kay: That’s beautiful. Wow. That must have been like a big, like a happy moment for you guys honestly.

Nidhi: Oh yes, it was. It indeed was.

Kay: Let’s just quickly move over to this whole issue of social isolation in a time of social distancing. These people go through a lot, the age bracket above 55. What can we do to kind of help out as individuals? What is your shout-out to the whole of Bangalore?

Nidhi: I would say even if you’re staying with your seniors or you’re away from your elders, please do make it a point to talk to them because I think a few minutes of conversation makes a lot of difference to them. So, staying in touch, come what may check in on them, check in on what they need, or even just have a friendly conversation, I think that really counts, especially in times like these.

Kay: Awesome. Nidhi I want to wish you guys all the very best. Keep up the amazing work and it’s so lovely speaking with you and I hope to be at one of your little gatherings once we’re over this entire hurdle.

Nidhi: Oh, our group of seniors would be delighted to see you!

Kay: That’s super. Lots of love. Thank you so much

Silver Talkies’ co-founder Nidhi Chawla spoke to RJ Kay of Radio One for the show Kay’s Spotlight recently. It was a fun chat about our Covid-19 Elders’ Support initiative and going live and online with our talks and workshops for seniors across India and the world. If you missed out on listening in, here’s a recap!

RJ Kay: Good morning and welcome to my show. It’s 94.3 Radio One. Listen, the lockdown might be extended. But of course, I keep you entertained every single weekday right here, 7:00 AM to 12 noon. Now to address this little community, fifty-five and above with me on the phone lines is a person who has significant experience in the field because she runs a start-up that addresses that very community. They’re called Silver Talkies and the founder of Silver Talkies is on the phone lines with me – Nidhi Chawla. Nidhi, how are you? Good morning.

Nidhi: Hey Kay, Good to be here. Thank you so much for having us.

Kay: It’s good to speak with you and honestly, you’ve listened to the show in the past.

Nidhi: Oh yes, I’m a big fan of yours.

Kay: How sweet! Thank you. It was so cool to connect with you because I love what Silver Talkies does. A lot of times we tend to neglect this population, above the age of 55, for a particular reason that sometimes we just don’t look into it enough. Can you explain to me why this community 55 above is so vulnerable, specifically in a time like this?

Nidhi: You’re right Kay. I think we completely forget about them esp. how they are affected because at that age their mobility is affected. While 55 is still very young, the older people are struggling hard to manage their day-to-day chores especially with getting essentials, getting their medicines, or even managing without their house help, many of them are finding it very difficult. Here I am talking about the super seniors, people who are around 70 plus 80 plus.

Kay: You are making it, can I say slightly better for them? Can I say that?

Nidhi: We are trying, yes.

Kay: And weirdly, this is not something that you’ve kind of just discovered after the lockdown. This is something you guys have been doing constantly as Silver Talkies. So let’s come back on the other side and tell everybody about the stuff that you guys do as Silver Talkies, a Bangalore-based startup that looks into the welfare of the age bracket above 55 and talk to them a little bit more.

Kay: Nidhi, I loved the whole idea when I got to know what Silver Talkies does. Tell me about the kind of things that Silver Talkies does. Let’s remove the time of COVID-19. Let’s just say generally, what do you guys do?

Nidhi: Okay. Silver Talkies is an organization which very firmly believes that retirement is not about hanging up your boots. It’s not re-tiring, but it’s about re-wiring. So, we believe that for the age segment, 55 and above, it’s time for them to have fun and do things for which they have never had a chance while they were taking care of their responsibilities. What we do at Silver Talkies – we are a social and intellectual engagement platform where we have social clubs, which anybody who’s above 55 can be a member of. We keep them engaged through a lot of curated activities, events, and workshops that we organize for them. We also give them a space to make new friends and meet new like-minded people. We also run a digital magazine, which is our website www.silvertalkies.com, where they can find information which would very useful and of relevance to them, around a variety of aspects – health, nutrition, feature a lot of seniors who can put many of our youngsters to shame or inspire them to do something different.

Kay: I love it. I love it. I love, I love that viewpoint. I agree with you on many counts. I’m one of those people who love my grandparents and loves spending time with them and sometimes I feel that they’re way younger than I am. Helping out this age bracket 55 and above daily must put a big smile on your face. Am I right?

Nidhi: Oh yes. It’s very gratifying to get those blessings and even with the smallest of things that you do for them the kind of feedback you get from them, it’s humbling.

Kay: So let me ask you, in the time of COVID-19, you’re making a lot of efforts. As we’ve spoken about the things that you guys have done generally but in this time of COVID-19 tell me some of the things that you guys are doing to help out that age bracket a little bit.

Nidhi: Sure. So, we have been trying a few different things. First of all, we are running a volunteering initiative where we have a group of youngsters who have come forward to help out seniors who are home alone and cannot fend for themselves and cannot get groceries or medicines. So, these volunteers step out and buy what they need and deliver it to them. Secondly, we took this time to move our social engagement activities from being offline to an online platform. So, we have continued to engage seniors with our activities. For example, a few days ago, we did a playback theatre workshop with our members. We have something coming up for them again, which is a tea tasting or a tea party, which would be a virtual tea party, where they will be able to see each other and talk to each other while sitting in the comfort of their homes.

Also, we have been, making sure that we get them authentic and genuine information, especially in a time when all social media, is full of fake news and all kinds of forwards. So, we have been speaking to experts and relevant organizations to get information, which is pertinent and genuine for that particular age group. We did a talk on mental health for instance.

Kay: That’s one of the major things I’ve been, one of the areas that you need to focus on in a time like this, especially for them. I want to come back on the other side and I want you to tell me one of the most beautiful stories that Silver Talkies has kind of witnessed from the time that it came into inception to now. I’m sure there’s one story that sticks in your head, which kind of brings a big smile on your face. And let’s also address that issue of not social distancing, but social isolation that happens in a time like this.

Kay: So now tell me what is the one amazing story that comes to your mind about Silver Talkies?

Nidhi: Well actually, there are plenty, but there is one that brings a smile to my face. Very recently we had a program where we had a performance put up by seniors. One of the members who was participating, she was getting onto the stage after some 55 years. She had participated in a stage program when she was 10 years old and had performed on the song Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu and she ended up performing on that song all over again in her old age. She was so excited and thrilled and she set the stage on fire. So, it was really beautiful.

Kay: That’s beautiful. Wow. That must have been like a big, like a happy moment for you guys honestly.

Nidhi: Oh yes, it was. It indeed was.

Kay: Let’s just quickly move over to this whole issue of social isolation in a time of social distancing. These people go through a lot, the age bracket above 55. What can we do to kind of help out as individuals? What is your shout-out to the whole of Bangalore?

Nidhi: I would say even if you’re staying with your seniors or you’re away from your elders, please do make it a point to talk to them because I think a few minutes of conversation makes a lot of difference to them. So, staying in touch, come what may check in on them, check in on what they need, or even just have a friendly conversation, I think that really counts, especially in times like these.

Kay: Awesome. Nidhi I want to wish you guys all the very best. Keep up the amazing work and it’s so lovely speaking with you and I hope to be at one of your little gatherings once we’re over this entire hurdle.

Nidhi: Oh, our group of seniors would be delighted to see you!

Kay: That’s super. Lots of love. Thank you so much