Indian industrialist Ratan Tata launched India's companionship startup for senior citizens, Goodfellows, in a bid to encourage intergenerational friendships.
Shantanu Naidu, an MBA from Cornell University, founded the Goodfellows startup, reports NDTV.
The 28-year-old is a General Manager at Tata's office and is the fifth generation of his family to work in the Tata Group.
Ratan Tata said, "You do not know what it is like to be lonely until you spend time alone wishing for companionship."
The startup appoints young graduates, 'Goodfellows', who help in assisting the senior citizens and provide companionship, "similar to what a grandkid would do"
With 15 million elderlies in India living alone, either due to the loss of a partner, or families moving away for unavoidable work reasons, many of them have caregivers but the issue of loneliness or lack of company has been the primary reason for deteriorating mental and physical health, added the report.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
