Population ageing is being experienced in India and across the globe, and focused planning for a changing population structure is imperative. It calls for a full-fledged ecosystem in a symbiotic relationship with its senior members who receive, contribute and evolve the ecosystem.

The idea behind the formation of Vayah Vikas was seeded in 2013, when a report - ‘Aspirations for the Elderly’ was put together by Dr Alexander Thomas (Ex-Director of Bangalore Baptist Hospital) with a team of experts of the NTT (National Think Tank) for the India Backbone Implementation Network (IbIn) at the behest of Dr Arun Maira, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India (GoI). Subsequently, efforts continued at the community level in villages and lobbying with GoI to increase budgetary allocations to improve the quality of lives for senior citizens.

A few years ago, the idea of setting up a senior citizens forum was mooted by Dr. Alexander Thomas (Founder Member of AHPI) with various members of AHPI, and the Think Tank on health at NLSIU, which finally culminated into the setting up of Vayah Vikas in April 2021, under the leadership of Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan with six other eminent luminaries who agreed to be the founding members, who are dedicated and work for this cause.

Vayah Vikas is a compassionate, senior-driven ecosystem of well-designed services and opportunities enabling seniors to lead independent lives with dignity and meaning.