At Indore Ashram, Elderly Find Family, Friendship and Belonging Beyond Blood Ties
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): For many elderly people, old age brings loneliness and isolation. But at Aastha Vriddh Jan Seva Ashram, the golden years tell a different story, one of companionship, laughter, independence and a sense of belonging. Far from being merely a shelter, the ashram has become a permanent home where residents find emotional security, dignity and friendships that have grown into…
At the Aastha Vriddh Jan Seva Ashram in Indore, elderly residents have found a warm family, friendship, and a sense of belonging that transcends blood ties. This shelter transcends being a mere place of refuge, evolving into a permanent home where residents cherish emotional security, dignity, and friendships that have blossomed into family bonds.
A contrast to the common belief, several residents have deliberately chosen to live in such a community living arrangement. Shanta Potdar, who has resided at the ashram for 15 years after moving from Dewas, prefers this environment over her family home. Despite her daughters being settled in Dewas and Indore, Shanta enjoys the independence and companionship at the ashram, often staying with her daughters only to return to her cherished community.
Fluent in Kannada, Marathi, and Hindi, Shanta spends her days writing devotional bhajans and singing with fellow residents, who have become integral to her life. Suman Kaadri, who moved to the ashram after losing immediate family support, finds emotional security and a sense of belonging at the institution. She emphasizes that living here brings three times more peace than staying alone at home, with the ashram providing facilities and care that leave no room for complaints.
Life at the ashram is filled with activities that keep residents physically active and emotionally connected. The community hall buzzes with games of carrom, ball games, devotional singing, and celebrations. Residents share meals, prayers, and everyday moments, fostering a bond akin to siblings. Friendship serves as a buffer against loneliness, replacing the traditional definition of family with a new meaning.
As Indore observes Senior Citizen Day, the residents of Aastha Vriddh Jan Seva Ashram remind us that growing older does not mean growing lonely. For them, family is not solely defined by blood relations but also by the friendships, care, and sense of belonging they have found under one roof. The 2026 theme, "The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives," highlights the importance of redesigning healthcare, social protection, long-term care, and enabling environments to ensure that increased life expectancies translate into healthy, dignified, and productive lives.
This observance marks a significant milestone during the midpoint of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030).
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