We have had an extraordinary five months of exceedingly challenging times since the first lockdown which took into effect on March 22, 2020, to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Yet, despite the various phases of lockdown, we have seen a proportional rise of cases across the length and breadth of the country. But thanks to our frontline workers who are working round the clock to minimize the spreads of the virus, India is fighting the virus positively with a 71% recovery rate.
Unlock 4.0 have provided some relief to the locals as the economic growth is also important to sustain. With strict restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles and only a handful of essential services functioning, senior citizens of the country are finding it tough to source medicines, food, etc. The Maharashtra Police the Force to extend a helping hand to senior citizens. Pune Police, which had already set up a Bharosa Cell, accepted this opportunity, and with the help of local NGOs, they started assisting such senior citizens.
The lockdown, which was necessitated due to COVID-19, has been tough for many senior citizens in the city, whose population the Pune Police estimate to be around 19,000. The senior citizen’s helpline number – 1090 – received 838 calls between April 1 and July 15, 2020, with the elderly seeking counselling, help or just having someone to talk to. “Doctors have been stressing that senior citizens above 65 years of age are in the high-risk COVID-19 group. With measures such as staying indoors and physical social distancing key to their health, isolation has taken a toll on their mental well-being,” said a police officer attached to the Bharosa Cell.
They have gone through stress and anxiety due to the ongoing crisis. In April, two senior citizens committed suicide under the jurisdiction of Deccan and Warje. An elderly man from Pune allegedly killed himself over the coronavirus fear, while another 61-year-old man from Warje jumped off from his apartment after penning a suicide note stating he was tired of the difficult situation arising due to the pandemic.
“We have received over 840 calls from senior citizens between April 1 and July 15, of which, 513 calls were simply because they want to talk to someone and have someone visit them as the loneliness was overwhelming them,” said Assistant Police Inspector, Swati Kedar, who works for the Bharosa Cell. The Pune Police have identified and provided 18,050 photo identity cards to senior citizens in the city, each with the emergency number, blood group, and address.
The Pune Police has been able to help more than 150 senior citizens to procure essential commodities and medicines. They are also in constant touch with the senior citizens’ forums across the city.
“We are working with local NGOs to assist senior citizens. We get several calls from various parts of the city with several requests. Many call to ask for meals as they are staying alone. And since domestic helpers not allowed in societies, there is no one to help prepare meals for them. Once we receive a call, we list down the information and contact the respected area police station to assist the needy,” an officer said.
Bharosa Cell
The Bharosa Cell, the brainchild of Commissioner of Police. K. Venkatesham was set up to provide assistance and counselling to senior citizens, women and children. The then Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis had stated, “The police should work in such a manner that the residents have bharosa (faith) in approaching them. The Bharosa Cell will work towards rehabilitation and support of juveniles. It will also provide a temporary residential facility to women undergoing counselling and provide legal aid to victims of domestic violence. The Cell will also try to provide immediate help to senior citizens with the help of NGOs.”
This Cell also includes a special cell – Senior Citizens Cell where a team of police personnel headed by a Senior Police Inspector and an Assistant Police Inspector look after complaints by local senior citizens. “Senior citizens are an important part of our society. We have witnessed many complaints from this section about harassment by their children, property dispute, mental torture, etc., especially during the lockdown period. Earlier, we had started interacting with such senior citizens and have shared phone numbers. We have also created a Whatsapp Group. Each police station is asked to communicate with senior citizens and guide them through tricky situations or alert them by providing knowledge about any crime taking place in the city to make them aware of what is happening in and around them,” said an officer attached to the Bharosa Cell. 
The Pune Police recently held a training for the Bharosa Cell staff on emotional intelligence so they can understand the psychology of senior citizens during the pandemic, therefore, have more empathy for them. Counsellors are available 24×7 to attend calls at the Bharosa Cell helpline number – 1090, and +91-20-2611103.
Mohit Naik
