People and stories
NRIPA – For The Parents Back Home
The Non Resident Indians Parents Association (NRIPA) in Bangalore serves as an extended family for its members. Over the years, we have met many of their active and inspiring members. Here’s what this senior citizen’s group is all about.
The most common question when members of Non Resident Indians Parents Association (NRIPA) meet is not ‘how are you?’ “Instead, it is when are you going?” chuckles MR Mahadevan, 77, secretary of the volunteer, non-profit organisation, whose main criteria is having one or more children living out of India.
Started by Ambuja Narayan in 1998 as a support group for parents of NRIs, the group has now grown to 360 members in Bangalore. Membership has mostly been through word of mouth. Most members are also encouraged to bring in other like minded friends or relatives whose children live overseas.
The members on a holiday to Myanmar
Mrs Narayan formed NRIPA by inserting an advertisement in the Times of India after seeing the facilities available for senior citizens overseas. The response was more than encouraging. “My phone wouldn’t stop ringing,” she says. Since then NRIPA has mainly grown by word of mouth, with members all over Bangalore and especially from areas like South Bangalore.
The group has an annual membership fee of Rs 1200 for both parents and Rs 800 for single parents. After one year, members have the option of taking a one time life membership, which costs Rs 6000 for both parents and Rs. 4000 for one parent.
Managed in quite a professional manner, every two years, NRIPA members select a new managing committee to oversee its affairs. “Our members include people who have been professionals and done very well in their life. Most are not dependent on their children for their day to day living but it does help to have a network of people who are also living far away from their children,” says Mr Mahadevan. Members share tips and suggestions on everything from travelling to meet their children overseas to which retirement home to invest in.
The group (25 per cent of our members are always away visiting their children, Mr Mahadevan says) meets on the third Saturday of every month for a Fellowship meeting followed by lunch. “It’s a chance for members to socialise with each other and form friendships,” says Mr Mahadevan. Each meeting usually includes a talk on health or other issues relevant to elders by an expert or an eminent member of the group. They also organise a picnic or outing every three months. Mrs Narayan, the group’s founding member, adds that they don’t expect any funding from outside, whether it is from their children or from elsewhere. The members try to help each other out whether it is during illnesses or for any other need. Once, when the US-based daughter of a member went through some trouble, it was the family of another member that reached out to help her after word spread through the group.
A holiday to Masaimara
“We are a very social group,” says Mr Mahadevan, who has been part of NRIPA since inception. He adds that most people look forward to the meetings. “When we first met, all of us were strangers. Now we are one big family.”
The camaraderie is more than apparent when you watch them get together. Silver Talkies was once witness to a meeting at a member’s home in South Bangalore. Notes were exchanged, jokes were cracked and an endless variety of snacks keep doing the rounds. There was a level of comfort that comes only from long association and sharing a common ground. In other words, he NRIPA members are almost like an extended family to each other.
“We don’t have the empty nest syndrome,” Mrs Narayan told us, adding that their kids are very happy about the group as it provides companionship to the parents who are often living alone in India. “They are amazed at our energy,” she laughs. The group indulges in several activities, like contributing towards disaster relief funds, donating to old age homes and working for underprivileged children. They also organize activities with the help of their own members, many of whom are still quite active in their business (Mr Mahadevan runs a travel company, another member has a legal service) or keep themselves busy with social work, travel or hobbies like photography. “We support each other,” says Mrs Narayan, adding that they like to keep in touch and meet often, especially during festivals. The group also travels a lot and have gone to several places in India. Mr Mahadevan, whose company organises most of the trips said the members travelled to Hyderabad, Hampi and Goa last year. That’s quite an itinerary!
The idea, as the members chorus, goes beyond just companionship. NRIPA Bangalore is a close knit group of parents who offer each other mutual help, try out different ways to alleviate loneliness and keep the brain active. In other words, these are seniors who stay active and happy even if the kids are miles away.
The NRIPA website is being redone. If you wish to join the organisation, kindly email nripabangalore@gmail.com
Comments
Rakesh Kumar singla
21 Mar, 2024
Sir punjab branch or phone number I am from punjab District Bathinda
Uma Sinha
19 Feb, 2024
In Delhi you have any branch
Amit Kshirsagar
19 Dec, 2020
Dear Mrs. Narayan,5 My name is Amit Kshirsagar. I currently live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I had written to you about 10 years ago, when my parents and I were living temporarily, in Kothrud, in Pune.5 But, now, things have drastically changed, and we were forced to sell our home in Pune. Also, we had to sell our home at 1125 Morehead Ct., which we had lived for 33 years, since 1986! My father, who was a professor of Biostatistics, retired in 2005! Now, I live in my new Condo in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is only 15 minutes away from my parents' Condo. Since retirement, my parents live intermittently, in Dhantoli, Nagpur, where my mother grew up! I myself, have a Master's degree in Mathematics, with a Concentration in Statistics, from Eastern Michigan University. I also have a second major in Psychology. I have written over 70 articles on various topics, for numerous local newspapers, like the Ann Arbor News, the Ann Arbor Journal, as well as the Ypsilanti Courier, and also for numerous Asian Indian magazines like the B.M.M. Vrutta, Chetana, Ekata, and E-Sakal. In 2014, I had published a book, which was entitled, "My Obsession with the Beatles"". This book was inaugurated during the 2015 B.M.M. annual Adhiveshan in Los Angeles, California, by the well-known Marath writer, Dr. Achyut Godbole, and is available at https://www.amazon.com/My-Obsession-Beatles-Amit-Kshirsagar-ebook/dp/B00INGYH7K/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3SNLIZQ1KKKOC&dchild=1 and also at the following URL: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-obsession-with-the-beatles-amit-kshirsagar/1118590443?ean=9781494432164 So, will you please renew my membership in the NRIPA - Bangalore? Please reply. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Amit Kshirsagar 1731 Weatherstone Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 amost1972@gmail.com
Silver Talkies
21 Aug, 2020
Hi, Thank you for your interest in Silver Talkies. For further information, please write to us at connect@silvertalkies.com.
Shivaprasad V
22 Feb, 2020
I wish to join the group as my two daughters are residing in US.Welive in Bangalore.we parents wish to join NRIPA I would appreciate if you can guide me in this regard Thanking you Shivaprasad.v
Julietpais@Gmail.Com
23 Jan, 2020
My name is Juliet. I live in Whitefield. I am ,keen on joining the group but would like to have some more information.
Adilakshmi Rajashekhar
23 Jan, 2020
I'd love to join this group how do I go about it.
Sakshi S
27 Oct, 2019
My father in law is depression patient. He likes to talk and roam around alot. But he knows only hindi. Do u hv any specific group like that he can join???
Sakshi S
27 Oct, 2019
My father in law is depression patient. He likes to talk and roam around alot. But he knows only hindi. Do u hv any specific group like that he can join.
Sakshi
27 Oct, 2019
My father in law is depression patient. He likes to talk and roam around alot. But he knows only hindi. Do u hv any specific group like that he can join.
Anonoymous
26 Jun, 2019
[…] Did you know about the Non-Resident Indians Parents Association (NRIPA) in Bangalore? Click here to read about them […]
Ramkumar
14 Aug, 2017
Hi i am a Financial advisor. Recently i met a couple whose children are settled in US. As i was talking to them they shared their problems in maintaining the properties they built as investments .The idea of generating a rental income at the time of investment and how they find it difficult to maintain in the old age was deep in their thought. I gave them a simple idea that could help many others like that. please do mail me if you are interested at ramkumarpn@gmail.com
Alice (Liz) Santiago
28 Nov, 2016
I wish to join this group as my children are residing abroad. I live in Bangalore, a widow, aged 65 years, who is currently working in some NGOs to overcome the "Empty Nest Syndrome". I indulge in chocolate making, baking, paper craft, teaching computers to underprivileged children. I woud appreciate if you could get back to me and let me know about the membership. In fact I am in touch with Nidhi at Silver Talkies. Kind regards Alice (Liz) Santiago
Silver Talkies
29 Sep, 2016
Dear Vasantha, It's great to know that you volunteer with Dignity. We shall forward your query to NRIPA and let you know soon. Thank you, Silver Talkies
Vasanthasubramanian
29 Sep, 2016
Very nice idea. I live in Mumbai.Can I become a member so that i can be in touch via :email and would like to join travel tours.Both my children are settled abroad.I am a member and volunteer with Dignity Foundation.NGO with a focus on Sr. citizens.
Prasad
20 Nov, 2012
Very satisfy
Silver Talkies
19 Nov, 2012
Hello sir, Do write to NRIPA and they can help you out. nripabangalore@gmail.com Silver Talkies Team
Anjanaa
02 Nov, 2012
Hi I am a Sports physiotherapist practicing in Bangalore . We have started a fitness programme for the senior citizens targeting their major problem areas. We are looking to reach out to dedicated clubs and associations . If this is of interest to you you can contact us at 9901276400 for further details
Shiv Ks
31 Oct, 2012
Very nice to read that such groups are there. Our daughter lives in Australia. We will like to join the group.
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