Kohima, Sept 30 (NPN): Over some decade(s), the state (Nagaland) has come to witness a changing social demand which includes planned elder care, more acceptable, denoted by a cautious rise of formal senior care facilities. Local NGOs (mostly urban-based) have spearheaded the cause and have been vocal in their attempt to champion what the American activist Maggie Kuhn once commented: “Old age is not a disease, it is strength and survivorship, triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments, trials and illnesses,” within the state.
Beyond community-based projects, Nagaland’s state-level elder population according to the 2011 census, there were about 139,494 seniors (7% of the state’s population). And with the pending census yet to be held, it is only reasonable to assume that this number would have grown significantly, reflecting broader demographic shifts toward an ageing population. Yet only a few homes serve them. In Kohima, the Good Samaritan Senior Citizens’ Home (originally Kohima Old Age Home, est. 2005), while in Dimapur, the House of Friendship Old Age Home (founded 2017 by Akokla P. Lucy). And very recently, on May 2, 2025, the central government virtually inaugurated the SevIC Senior Citizens Home in Wokha (with President Murmu launching new elder-care schemes). According to one report, only two such homes are receiving central grants for seniors under a national program, highlighting how sparse formal facilities remain.
In Chesezu village, Phek district, the Ura Zuveh Foundation (‘Our village welfare’ – in Chokri dialect) is quietly assembling a model of elder care that its leaders say is rooted in culture, community, and practical necessity — not charity. Prior to its governmental recognition status accorded in 1998, the foundation had been involved in local education, health projects and advocacy on critical issues at the grassroot level. Presently, the managing committee’s apex council skews young (about 30–40 years), which the Foundation credits for the project’s renewed momentum since handover from the founding elder members. The foundation also runs the Tsüswu School (estd 1998), one of the first private schools in Chetheba area; linking education and elder care in a single local ecosystem.
‘Tsüswu,’ meaning ‘foundation stone’ in the Chokri dialect, symbolizes strength, stability, and the beginning of a firm structure. The term also connects to the village Tsüswuzu, now known as Chesezu since the British administration of Nagaland. The village holds a unique place in history as the site where freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is believed to have camped during World War II.
This planned senior-care project which came to fruition as the first dedicated elder home for Phek communities in 2023, while ensuring that it fits as a safe new standard for such projects in the state. In a wide-ranging conversation with the foundation’s chairman Vekho P. Ringa, with a goal to raise awareness of the context and the implications it faces, some key questions were responded to.
“We saw too many elders left behind as younger people moved to towns and cities”, said Ringa, adding, “They faced loneliness, poor diet and inadequate medical care. Elder care is not merely charity — it is our moral duty.” The Foundation’s admission criteria since its conceptualisation in 2023 has been prioritising elders (man/woman) without family support and residents. With a modest yet deliberate long-term plan, it has planned for a 50-bed facility with all basic amenities and recreational space for the members besides staff quarters, it houses 15-20 beneficiaries aged 70+. Residents are encouraged to contribute in gardens, craftwork and decision-making as means of preserving dignity and cultural memory as disclosed by one of the elder in the house. A normal day for the elders is structured around light exercise, spiritual activities and communal fellowship besides interaction sessions with the schoolchildren for joint activities.
Ringa estimated the operating cost at around ₹200 per elder per day, covering food, staff, medical essentials, and utilities. Yet the ambition runs up against significant constraints. “Operations have so far depended on personal sacrifice, well-wishers, and small donations,” he admitted. A non-recurring grant of ₹3.80 lakh from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2025 provided some relief, but it does not cover ongoing expenses, Ringa expressed hope for substantial deposits at shorter gap of such grants. The estimated daily cost underscores the urgency of securing sustainable further imposing the issues of replicability.
The need for a model as initiated by Ura Zuveh is backed by national data – UNFPA’s India Ageing Report 2023, projects rapid elderly population growth — a decadal increase of 41%, with seniors expected to exceed 20% of the population by 2050 and to outnumber children by 2046. Over 40% of India’s seniors are in the poorest wealth quintile, and 18.7% live without income. Meanwhile the State of World Population Report 2025 reenforces a focused shift for policies that ensure dignity and health for ageing populations for India as the most populated nation.
Speaking on the role and contributions of the local community, Ringa stated that village leaders have been supportive, assisting with land, logistics, and awareness-building efforts as it continues to build a bridge with churches, government ministries, student volunteers, and urban organizations for training and resource sharing. Longer-term measures cited include creation of a reserve fund, third-party audits, and transparent reporting. A grievance redressal mechanism is “under formation,” the chairman said, when asked about legal safeguards should any issues arise in the future. He also acknowledged that staff training in caregiving remains limited — a gap the Foundation recognizes must be addressed to maintain proper standards of care.
Pastor Thepushoyi Swuro of Chesezu Baptist Church expressed strong support for the elder care home initiative by the Ura Zuveh Foundation, calling it “a mega booster” for those who have lost the support of immediate family. He noted that this initiative fills a critical gap, far from the traditional caring practices. ‘‘Seeing the commitment and efforts of the foundation, at the cost of their own pockets, is very recommendable,” he said. Swuro acknowledging the lack of fixed financial flow, remains hopeful about the foundation’s vision to expand the facility across villages. The church continues to serve as a spiritual mentor while helping mitigate the stigma of ‘institutional care’.
Highlighting the synergy between Tsüswu School and the elder home, he said rising enrollments offer reason for hope: “There’s no greater joy than shouldering multiple responsibilities as one family,” he added, praising the Foundation’s interest to shoulder the burden of the community.
He further emphasized the importance of narrowing the education quality gap between rural and urban settings, adding, “We hope for a sound teaching system which will help them attain a more comfortable livelihood with the right skills from a very young age.”
The school, with Nüngolü Ringa, a D.El.Ed graduate from DIET Chiechama as Head Teacher, said English, Tenyidie, and Hindi are taught as core languages, with English as the medium of instruction. With a seat intake of 15 students per class, Ringa highlighted the lack of English exposure among students, as most parents are illiterate and engaged in farming. Under the full implementation of NEP 2020, language learning has taken center stage, with efforts tailored to local realities.
Ringa emphasized the school’s vision to “ignite the spirit of kindness and community service” among children, anchoring the academic calendar around the availability of the elders. Despite limited internet access and digital devices in the village, the school has been actively incorporating digital literacy on safe internet use and responsible media habits. However, Ringa noted that a well-developed library remains a pressing need and flagged another critical issue: school dropouts. While the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education, 2025 records a visible decline in dropout rates at the Preparatory stage (Classes 3–5) from 8.7% to 2.3%, parental accounts reveal that teachers’ intervention continues to play a crucial role in rural areas. The problem, they noted, often stems from limited awareness of education as a means of social mobility.
Amid the global trend of soft-launching brands on social networking sites, Nusakholu Nyekha, teacher who also oversees PR and outreach at the school, shared that they have recently joined Instagram—ranked by Statista 2025 as the world’s third most-used site with 3 billion monthly users. The move is part of a cautious experiment to stay connected in a globalized world while strictly following safe digital practices.
Nyekha noted that the platform is currently being used as an archive bank, preserving school moments and milestones. The hope is that students, despite differing circumstances and privilege gaps, will grow to embrace challenges with resilience and purpose. The initiative also aims to foster open communication between parents, teachers, and students—striking a balance between media engagement and minimizing risks.
As of Int. Day of Older persons on October 1, the Foundation opted for a door-to-door outreach and personal care visits instead of a walled program within the area as it has been doing for the past couple years. This move, Ringa described as part of demonstrating proof of concept before seeking larger funding. “Only if our initiatives prove successful and scalable do we seek funding support,” he said.
If Ura Zuveh can combine steady financing, trained staff, accountable governance and measurable outcomes, Phek district might offer more than a local success story, dubbed as the ‘Land of Traditions’. Disclosing that documentation efforts are underway for the traditional craftsmanship and storytelling through the housed elders, the foundation would go a long way by offering a tested model for rural elder care that policy makers and funders in the Northeast and beyond could study and, if effective, support. Until then, the project remains an experiment in dignity: important, earnest and if validated, urgent scaling.