The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) held its 29th Conference on Seniors and celebrated its 20th anniversary on November 10, 2018 at the Indian American Kerala Center in Elmont in collaboration with India Association of Long Island (IALI), a 40 year old community based association, and Shanti Niketan, the first Housing Complex in Florida. A little over fifty participants attended this interactive whole day conference focusing on two major subjects: SPECIAL NEEDS OF INDO-AMERICAN SENIORS and HEALTH CARE ADVANCES FOR SENIORS.
The conference was opened by Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder of GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin). NIAASC was initiated by GOPIO in 1998. He traded the history of NIAASC as to how it sought the help of National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), based in Seattle, WA. Thomas focused on as to how NAPCAS successful ten-year-old operation can be worked out for Indian seniors in the United States at an Indian community leaders in July 1998 which was attended by two dozen community leaders. After 4-hour intensive deliberations the group unanimously asked Mr. Rajeshwar Prasad to arrange a conference to understand issues and aspirations of Indian seniors. The conference was help in September 1998 where the NIAASC was created. Its mission was limited to provide information, referral and advocacy services to help seniors on Indian origin.
Since 1998 NIAASC Has arranged 28 conferences on seniors in various places in USA and its 29th conference was held this month in New York. The major subjects discussed at the conference include:
Speakers at the conference were: Mr. Jorge Martinez, Deputy Commissioner Nassau County, NY; Caitlyn Murphy, from NY Contacts Department, and, Dr. Kul Anand, Geriatric Physician.
The conference was coordinated by Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan, NIAASC Vice President. Mr. Prasad elaborated that presentation by Nassau County Deputy Commissioner was very comprehensive on Nassau AAA (Area Agency on Aging).
Prasad further elaborated that NIAASC uses these AAAs as front line support for seniors. Any caller to NIAASC is referred to local AAA in the callers’ zip code.
IALI President Rastogi elaborated on activities by IALI for seniors and other people in Long Island. Stephen, Founder of Kerala Center described also in details services rendered by the Center for seniors and their families.
The conferences ended with the NIAASC General Body meeting where the Nominating Committee member, Satpal Malhotra informed that Ms. Gunjan Rastogi is nominated to serve on the NIAASC Board of Directors, and she was eventually selected by the Board as Secretary of NAASC.
The Nominating Committee member Malhotra chaired the organizational meeting of the NIAASC Board and the following officers were elected for a term of two years:
Rajeshwar Prasad as President, Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan s and Dr. Ashok Sapre from California as Vice Presidents, Gunjan Rastogi as Secretary, and Satpal Malhotra as Treasurer. The event ended with celebration of Diwali where all participants were given a box of sweets, sponsored by Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan.
