1.project report

PROJECT REPORT

IDEA RESEARCH, GROUP NO.2,

PGDM-B

TOPIC:

ARE PUBLIC PLACES IN NAVI MUMBAI SENIOR CITIZEN FRIENDLY?

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GROUP MEMBERS

NAME ROLL NONIVEDITA CHAKRABORTY 67

CHINMAY BHIDE 69KARTHIK MANI NADAR 78

SURAJ MENON 82RESHMA NAIR 86

SIDDHARTH NAMBIAR 90PRIYANKA POOJARI 92

RASNIK SAREEN 96SANDEEP PAL 103

SHANELLE SUMITRA 113

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sr. No

Content Page No.

1. Abstract 4

2.Introduction 5

3. Aim and Objectives 7

4. Literature Review 8

5. Research Methodology 10

6. Data Analysis 11

7. Conclusions and Findings 18

8. Recommendations 19

9. References 20

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Abstract

A senior citizen can be defined as an elderly person living in a country either retired or over the retirement

age(60 in India) . The retirement age can differ from country to country. Safety and security of the elderly,

especially those living alone are a concern, not only to themselves but also to their families and to the

community in general too. Due to various reasons older persons are at times constrained to live away from

their families and loved ones, which makes them particularly vulnerable to safety and security hazards. As

the ageing society looms the needs, supports and the well-being of the senior citizen are becoming more and

more important. The primary purpose of this research is to determine whether senior citizens find the public

places around Navi Mumbai accessible, secure and friendly so they don’t have to face unwanted difficulties

while they are away from the safety and comfort of their homes. Also this research will serve the purpose to

see what the ground reality actually is around the public places in Navi Mumbai and how this research can

help the local administration in identifying the more immediate concerns regarding these issues. The

research is to be conducted among approximately 80-100 senior citizens and get their feedbacks regarding

the above mentioned topic. Research will be conducted through questionnaire, simple observations and face

to face interviews. As the sample size will not be large enough to neglect the effect of variation the data will

not be accurate however we are certain to get a rough idea about the ground realities.

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Introduction

India is a country which takes much pride in its culture and traditions and the senior citizens are certainly

one of the most important pillar which keep this flag flying high, but when a human being gets aged his / her

dependency on other important support mechanisms like social welfare, pension schemes et.al increases

manifold and the government certainly plans for the welfare of the senior citizens but can sometimes lack in

providing the basic infrastructure to the senior citizens in public places. Thus a research needs to be

conducted among the senior citizens of Navi Mumbai where the feedback from senior citizens will tell us if

they feel safe and comfortable in public places, be it parks, post offices, banks, railway stations et.al.

A citizen in India is considered a senior citizen when he/she attains an age of 60 years. According to the

report brought out by Nations Population Fund and Help age international, it states that while Indian

population will increase by 60% between 2000 and 2050, the senior citizens population will shoot up by

360% in the same period. Thus due to this there will be tremendous influx of citizens in senior citizen

category. The government and the local administrations need to gear up for this starting now else the

consequences of this will take the government and the administrations by surprise. At present the senior

citizen population is 100 million and is expected to rise up to 323 million by 2050.

Along with social welfare and pension schemes which government plans for the senior citizens we think that

there is a lot to improve in public places so that senior citizens and especially super senior citizen feel that

the public places are friendly to them.

Senior citizen friendly public places mean whether some basic amenities like sitting places especially

reserved for senior citizens, ramps to walk up and down instead of staircases, drinking water et.al are

available to the senior citizens. Considering Navi Mumbai and comparing it with facilities provided in

Mumbai and other senior citizen friendly countries like mexico, japan or Australia will be our will be our

rough outline of the research. This research will thus be a sample study the senior citizen themselves and

how they feel at public places in Navi Mumbai and what changes would they like to see for further

comforting experiences in public place.

Thus this study is carried out where the feedback is taken from the senior citizens themselves in person and

their problems and their queries were listened and addressed by us one to one. We thought of the ways in

which we could suggest the local administration and the local police and suggest them the areas in which

there are further scope of improvement.

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We as young citizen of India need to develop this compassion for our senior counterparts of this nation as

the young population at one point in their life will have to face this situation and thus the steps for that future

readiness should be taken at this moment itself.

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Aim and Objectives:

The objectives of this study undertaken are:

To study the challenges faced by senior citizens in public places in Navi Mumbai.

Find the level of satisfaction among senior citizens by the provisions given to them in public places.

To analyse the measures taken by government towards senior citizens in all aspects of life i.e.

medical care, daily expenses through pension schemes and try determining the possible scope of

improvement.

Perform a comparative study on the level of comfort for senior citizens in public places between

Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, national and international standards.

Easy access to facilities like libraries, open grounds and meeting places among others.

To see whether the policies applied in some western and pacific countries be viable in Navi Mumbai.

Thus, the aim of this study overall is to understand the various parameters which can make public places senior citizen friendly and that senior citizens don’t feel left out.

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Literature Review:

There are 98 million citizens above the age of 60 in our country who also represent one of the most vulnerable parts of our population. According to an all-India INPEA survey, the problems of the elderly can be broadly classified as economic, health, disability and social. Apart from the social and health problems, what also troubles the elderly-especially in cosmopolitan areas- is lack of safety and security.

Socio-economic Issues:

A survey conducted by AZ research found that one out of every two seniors living alone was not satisfied with his or her living arrangements and would want to live in a peaceful but well facilitated surrounding. Value of salaries drawn by seniors has grown by 20% in the last 20 years. Hence, seniors are gradually demanding better living conditions as they can be afforded by them.

Security Needs:

Over the last decade, crimes against seniors in the major metros has increased by 55% and hence, security is a major concern amongst senior citizens.

Healthcare:

The concept of healthcare has changed among urban senior citizens who have moved from conventional healthcare to pro-active well-being. 3 out of 4 seniors take up activities like sports for good health. Also, 88% of seniors in metros and 98% in non-metros express the need for medical centres in the vicinity.

Lifestyle Needs:

This is the most interesting trend as 1 out of 2 seniors are discontent with their current living conditions. More than 80% seniors want to improve their lifestyle by taking up new careers or hobbies. More than 75% want to socialize, party, shop for luxury goods and play sports. 85% are highly tech-savvy and desire to love in a multi-cultural society.

The Government of India has earmarked some special benefits for senior citizens in the country. Following are the benefits that apply to public places frequented by senior citizens:

1. HEALTHCARE-

There is provision for separate queues for senior citizens at hospitals and health care centres when they visit for any health related concerns or clinical examinations.

2. BANKING-

- Government gives a higher rate of interest to senior citizens on certain

Savings schemes which it runs through its large network of Post offices and Public sector Banks.

- Some banks also provide generous discounts on their prescribed charges for services such as issue of chequebooks, signature verification etc.

3. RAILWAY STATIONS/AIRPORTS-

- There are separate Counters / Queues for Senior Citizens at all Railway Stations for purchase, booking or cancellation of tickets.

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- Special arrangements are available for those who find it difficult to walk or move on their own. Wheel Chairs are available at all major junctions, District Headquarters and other important Railway stations for the convenience of Senior citizens and also for those who are in need.

- Travel by Indian Railways is 30% cheaper for all Senior Citizens who are 60 years in age or above, while women aged 60 years or above are entitled to 50%concession in fare.

- Similar arrangements are also available at airports.

4. TRAVEL BY ROADWAYS-

- State Road Transport Undertakings have made provision for senior citizens for reservation of 2 seats in the front row of all buses.

- Some state governments also give concessions (in fare) to senior citizens, while some also have specially modelled buses for the elderlies.

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Research Methodology:

When we scouted the internet for any available data on the internet, journals and research papers, it was found that the secondary data for the study was very scarce.

Hence, primary study was carried out through different parts of Navi Mumbai like Nerul, kharghar, Vashi and Panvel with the help of questionnaires.

Also to compare the facilities with Mumbai 40% questionnaires were filled in suburban parts of Mumbai.

Senior citizens were consulted about various topics and problem covering the public places of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai.

A total sample size of 96 respondents was considered for this study.

The sample size consisted of senior citizens ranging from 60 years of age to 74 years of age.

The respondents consisted of both the genders but primarily the respondents were male.

The type of sampling done was cluster sampling as the age factor was very important when considering the type of respondents.

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Data Analysis:

When respondents were asked if they feel the need for reserved coaches in local trains like the ones present

for female passengers, approximately 85% of the respondents answered positively while a meager 15% said

they were fine with the present system.

The respondents were asked various additional facilities that could be termed as innovative ideas like ramps

at public places, healthcare facilities like subsidies and priority in government hospitals.

Most respondents said that were for having healthcare subsidies and ramps at public places. However, many

senior citizen said they don’t get priority in hospitals in case of emergencies.

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When respondents were asked if they have ever been harassed in public places, fortunately a majority(72%) of them answered in negative. However, 28% of respondents said they suffered harrassments like chain snatching etc.

When respondents were asked whether they prefer post office over banks for their banking needs an overwhelming 74% said that they have trust in National banks over post offices.

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But the respondents still preferred post office over courier service to deliver their letters and parcels in time to their loved ones.

Among the respondents who used banks, 67% of them said they were happy with the facilities like sitting arrangements at counters, different counters for senior citizens, more number of ATMs etc.

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Level of Safety in your Locality * City Of the Respondents

Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)

Pearson Chi-Square 3.505a 4 .477

Likelihood Ratio 3.527 4 .474

Linear-by-Linear Association

.122 1 .727

N of Valid Cases 96

a. 4 cells (40.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 1.50.

How would you rate Navi Mumbai Police * City Of the Respondents

Crosstab

Count

City Of the Respondents

Total

Navi Mumbai

Mumbai

Level of Safety in your Locality

Very Poor

3 1 4

Poor 7 3 10

Average 19 16 35

Good 25 10 35

Very Good

6 6 12

Total 60 36 96

Crosstab

Count

City Of the Respondents

Total

Navi Mumbai

Mumbai

How would you rate Navi Mumbai Police

Very Poor

3 3 6

Poor 8 4 12

Average 28 16 44

Good 19 10 29

Very Good

2 3 5

Total 60 36 96

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Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)

Pearson Chi-Square 1.706a 4 .790

Likelihood Ratio 1.651 4 .800

Linear-by-Linear Association

.007 1 .932

N of Valid Cases 96

a. 5 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 1.88.

Happy With Parks? * City Of the Respondents

Crosstab

Count

City Of the Respondents

Total

Navi Mumbai

Mumbai

Happy With Parks?

Yes 44 17 61

No 16 19 35

Total 60 36 96

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Chi-square test for goodness of fit was done with the parameters a). Performance of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai police in their respective places b). safety for senior citizen around their respective localities c). Satisfaction with neighbourhood parks and it was tested against the city of the respondents.

The results found were that there was significant difference between senior citizen friendly public places in Navi Mumbai and Mumbai with Navi Mumbai having better facilities and service in 2 out of 3 categories.

Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)

Exact Sig. (2-sided)

Exact Sig. (1-sided)

Pearson Chi-Square 6.622a 1 .010

Continuity Correctionb 5.543 1 .019

Likelihood Ratio 6.569 1 .010

Fisher's Exact Test .016 .009

Linear-by-Linear Association

6.553 1 .010

N of Valid Cases 96

a. 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 13.13.

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Conclusions and Findings:

• It was found during our study that level of safety given by Navi Mumbai administration and Navi Mumbai Police rated better than their Mumbai counterparts.

• This shows that while planning this city lessons were taken from mistakes committed in Mumbai.

• However, still most senior citizens feel that additional facilities are inadequate and they could be better.

• From the study we found that the senior citizens of today are extremely aware.

• They want newer and better facilities and they expect better form the people they voted in power to.

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Recommendations:

• Additional facilities like health subsidies, railway coaches and ramps at public places could be improved and provided.

• Recreational facilities can be made available. We recommend setting up senior citizen recreation centers around Navi Mumbai where senior citizen could play games like carom, chess etc.

• Healthcare facilities can be improved further as we see that the general government hospitals are still lacking to provide senior citizens should there be any emergencies.

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References:

Government Of India (2011) Census Of India .

Graying Gotham (2011) Towards a Senior-friendly city ( 2011).

Help Age India (2011) by www.helpageindia.org

Philip Moeller (2012) Great Ideas for Senior friendly communities (2012) .