For Vile Parle resident Jankee T Mehta, her aunt had always been like a mother. After the passing of her uncle, Mehta hoped to find her some new friends, who unlike the rest of the family, were sailing in the same boat. The biotechnologist began to notice then that most Indian single golden-agers — above the age of 50 — were inhibited about joining social events. “She has friends and family, but I felt that she needed someone who really understands what she is going through; maybe go for a morning yoga session together or grab a coffee with her. I wanted to introduce her to a community or support system which allows her to feel more independent,” shares Mehta. It led her to conceptualise Qashtee, a community of single golden-agers, along with co-founder and partner, Priyank.

Priyank and Jankee Mehta