Vedaanta Senior Living has launched Viveka by Vedaanta, an opportunities platform for people above the age of 60, as part of its efforts to create more avenues for seniors to remain professionally and socially engaged. 
The platform was launched around World Senior Citizens Day as discussions around ageing increasingly focus not only on longer lives but also on purpose, participation and continued engagement. Viveka is intended to give seniors access to opportunities based on their experience, interests, availability and lifestyle. 
The name Viveka is derived from the Sanskrit word for wisdom and discernment. The platform connects experienced professionals with organisations seeking seasoned talent for consulting assignments, advisory positions, mentoring, part-time opportunities, volunteering and passion-led engagements. 
India's ageing population is also changing the way retirement is viewed. Many older professionals may not want to return to full-time employment, but continue to have the skills and interest to mentor, consult, teach, advise or work on selected projects. Flexible opportunities that recognise their experience, however, remain limited. 
Vedaanta said its idea for Viveka emerged from more than a decade of work in senior living and interactions with thousands of residents and their families. These interactions showed that several seniors wanted to remain involved in meaningful activities and continue contributing after retirement, while also retaining the freedom associated with their new stage of life. 
The platform is designed to cater to different forms of engagement. A retired teacher could mentor students, a former CFO could advise a startup, a doctor could take up consulting assignments for a few days a week, while an artist could devote time to a long-pursued creative interest. 
Unlike conventional employment portals, Viveka is focused on flexible and experience-led opportunities rather than full-time jobs. Organisations can use the platform to access experienced professionals for consulting, advisory, mentoring, leadership and project-based assignments. Seniors, meanwhile, can select engagements based on their interests, skills, availability and preferred level of involvement. 
Rahul Sabharwal, Director and Co-founder, Vedaanta Senior Living, said the idea for Viveka came from conversations with seniors who wanted to continue contributing but found it difficult to identify opportunities that valued their experience. He said the platform was intended to support a phase of life after 60 in which accumulated knowledge and experience can continue to create value for individuals, organisations and communities. 
Shreya Anand, Director, Vedaanta Senior Living, said experience and wisdom remain relevant even after retirement. She added that businesses are expected to increasingly value professionals with strong judgement, leadership capabilities and practical experience as workplaces become more age-inclusive. Viveka, she said, is intended to connect this demand with seniors looking for flexible ways to remain active and involved. 
The launch comes as India's demographic profile is expected to see a continued rise in the senior population. This is also creating a wider need for services and opportunities that address not just housing and healthcare needs but also social, professional and personal engagement after retirement. 
Established in 2014, Vedaanta Senior Living is a senior living operator in South India. The company has launched more than 20 communities and has over 800 residents across independent and assisted living communities. 
Its operations span Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, Thrissur, Kottayam and other cities. Along with developing its own communities, Vedaanta partners with Tier I builders to design, operate and manage senior living communities. 
Its service offering includes hospitality, healthcare coordination, wellness programmes, emergency response and resident engagement. The company has positioned its service network as a core part of its senior living operations alongside the development and management of communities. 
Source PTI