A social network for people over 55 years is helping this age group with knowledge of the Internet in India to combat loneliness and make new friends from the comfort of their homes.
Verdurez.com (www.verdurez.com), described by its creator as a Facebook for over 55 years, has about 4,000 registered users who Blog, Chat, read news related to health and make puzzles online.
Traditionally, several generations of one family living under one roof and grandparents often care for grandchildren while the parents go to work.
But while this system continues to be the norm in most rural households, the inhabitants of the city increasingly leave the family home, leaving the older generation at home alone.
"Old age does not mean the end of life, there are still many things to do, especially in the Internet era," said the founder of Verdurez Ishita Sukhadwala, a consultant who lives in London.
Users must have at least 55 years to join Verdurez, while older members are septuagenarians.
Sujadwala initially thought Verdurez as a dating site for Indians of the baby boom, but his father convinced that his idea was too radical for a country where dating, let alone premarital sex is frowned upon.
While it remains active a dating service and a bulletin board for users to work in Verdurez can meet new people online, exchange ideas and share their life experiences.
"One of our members after joining us, lost his wife, hung up a blog telling how he was, what he felt and what he regretted," said Sukhadwala. "It was very touching."
According to government officials, it is expected that most of India's population to double by 2026 a 173 million.
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