UN International Day for Older Persons: Grey Shades unveils fellowship programme

Grey Shades Fellows share stories of grit and determination

Chandigarh, September 30, 2022: Grey Shades for Senior Citizens, a not-for-profit organization founded by Inderpreet Singh, on Friday unveiled the 3rd edition of the '100-day long well-being and age leadership programme', for senior citizens. The unique programme is aimed at helping them become a better version of themselves and to live a fulfilling and graceful post-retirement life.

“We will start the enrolments for the 3rd edition of the programme on Oct 1 on the occasion of the International Day for Older Persons. The programme will begin on October 31. Grey Shades Fellowship Programme has helped senior citizens with finding meaning in life. It is a well-crafted programme, which extends wholesome support to our senior citizens,” said Inderpreet Singh, who started Grey Shades of Senior Citizens when he was just 22 years old, during a media interaction here at Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27.

Jatinder Kaur, a Grey Shades Fellow, said that she worked with the Punjab government as a stenographer and retired as a Class – I employee as Secretary. “Grey Shades is a great initiative. It has changed my life for the better . Thanks to Grey Shades, I got the motivation to travel to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Dubai, Singapore, and the Philippines,” said Kaur, who recently reached Nathu La pass on the India-China border at the age of 68 and won over her life's challenges.

Sher Singh, 75 and also a Grey Shades Fellow, auditioned for Punjabi films post retirement and now is pursuing his hobby of acting. He has worked in documentaries, series and Punjabi films. “The Fellowship Programme of Grey Shades is a curriculum based experiential learning programme where we learn, unlearn and experiment. We learn to reflect and understand ourselves better.”

In his opening remarks, Bhavneet Bhalla, an Advisor and Mentor to Grey Shades, said, “At Grey Shades, senior citizens learn new things which help them to become more relevant to family and society. They get inspired to pursue their interests and hobbies.  They work individually and in groups to design their coming life.”

“Grey Shades Fellowship helps senior citizens with various methodologies and activities of the programme like Group Sessions, Dance Movement Therapy, and Expression through Art and Craft, writing therapy, food and nutrition, digital literacy, Mindfulness, yoga and meditation,” informed Ajay Sharma, also an Advisor and Mentor of Grey Shades.

Vivek Atray, a former IAS officer, author and mentor, who has joined Grey Shades as the chairperson of its Governing Body, has also appreciated the efforts of Inderpreet, who belongs to the border village Chabhal in Tarn Taran. Inderpreet grew up witnessing his family and father taking care of his grandmother who was a cancer patient but lived a happy and a longer life than expected with the care and support provided. “It is a privilege for me to be associated with Grey Shades,” he said.

“With Grey Shades, I want to empower the senior citizens to live a longer life with joy and meaning. With the Grey Shades Fellowship, 30 senior citizens have transformed their lives. Senior citizens are an asset for the society with their wealth of experience. I wish to impact the lives of 10 million senior citizens,” added Inderpreet Singh. Master of Ceremony Madhu Pandit conducted the proceedings of the event.