Based on the idea of making grandpals by nurturing fulfilling friendships between young graduates and senior citizens - through a fellowship aimed at providing meaningful companionship to senior citizens who live alone - the Goodfellows start-up is launched in Mumbai on 15th August, 2022 by Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. 

        Designed to connect the fellows to senior citizens as youth companions and recreate the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, Goodfellow will do whatever a grandchild would do. Whether it is accopanying the seniors for grocery shopping or doctors' appointments, outings and walks, teaching them how to use various technology, or sharing a conversation over tea, Goodfellows are there for it all. 

           Goodfellows has successfully completed a "Beta phase" over the past six months, taking 20 carefully-vetted young fellows on board and pairing them with grandpals from Mumbai.  Over the next few months, Goodfellow plans to expand the project within Mumbai and to Pune, Chennai and Bangalore. 

           The available data on the Parsi elderly reveals a consistent increase in the population of the aged as per 2001 Census. Parsi elderly population (above 65 years) was 31%. Therefore, a guess estimate for elderly persons above 70 years may be atleast 25% to 27% of total Parsi population. Late maariages, voluntary and involuntary childlessness is an important factor for the sharp decline in the Parsi community. There is a signifacant higher percentage of Parsi males unmarried compared to non-Parsis. 

            The Government of India through Ministry of Minority Affairs had formulated the Jiyo Parsi Scheme in September 2013 which is steadily continued now. Looking to the very large proportion of elders in Parsi community, Government of India added Elderly Care Component in Jiyo Parsi Scheme. Jiyo Parsi Organisation is receiving Grant-in-aid for three components viz. (1) Advocacy (2) Health of the community and (3) Medical Assistance under Jiyo Parsi scheme from Government of India every financial year.  

             Jiyo Parsi Organisation is not able to lookafter each and every elderly person's need in Parsi community. Now when Goodfellows start-up  founded by Shantanu Naidu, a close mentee and General Manager of Tata  has been launched in Mumbai by Ratan Tata, our community leaders should see that senior citizens who live alone be enrolled in it and benefitted. 

             This online petition request Honorable Minister of Minority Affairs, Jiyo Parsi Organisation and Bombay Parsi Panchayat Trustees to make sincere efforts for tie up Jiyo Parsi - Elderly Care Component with Goodfellows and connect the fellows to senior citizens living alone in Parsi community as youth companions and recreate the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. 

              Thanks and regards