Khyaal is a wonderful platform dedicated to making aging a beautiful experience for senior citizens.
Hemanshu Jain, Founder & CEO of Khyaal
Founder & CEO of Khyaal, Hemanshu Jain discusses the Journey, Innovations, and Impact of Khyaal in Empowering Senior Citizens Across India
1. Please share the story behind establishing Khyaal? What inspired you to create this platform for senior citizens?
The idea for Khyaal originated from my personal experience. I used to travel extensively for work, and my father often called me for basic tasks like OTT renewals, unaware of the time differences. Meeting his requests on time was challenging, which highlighted his dependence on me for simple tasks. Through my travels and interactions, I realised this was a widespread issue affecting many families. This inspired me to delve deeper into the challenges faced by seniors, leading to the creation of Khyaal. When I shared this vision with Pritish Nelleri, our Co-Founder & COO, it resonated deeply with him as well. We both saw the potential positive impact on seniors, including our own parents.
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Khyaal was built to address the challenges that seniors face in modern times. Our app is designed to empower seniors to take control of their lives, tackling issues such as loneliness, digital literacy, financial and non-financial fraud, and disinformation, lack of access to healthcare, support, and travel, as well as a lack of opportunities for engagement. Our digital-first approach leverages the power of technology to give seniors barrier-free access to the solutions they are looking for.
2. Khyaal aims to address the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of senior citizens. Can you elaborate on how your platform integrates services to support each of these dimensions?
Khyaal integrates a comprehensive suite of solutions to support the holistic well-being of seniors through innovative technology and personalised support:
Physical Well-being: We offer light aerobics and guided yoga sessions to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. Our curated travel packages also encourage active lifestyles, allowing seniors to explore new places with ease and comfort.
Mental and Emotional Well-being: Our solutions are designed to help seniors maintain and improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. Our cognitive stimulation programs, brain training exercises, and memory enhancement activities help maintain cognitive function and delay cognitive decline. Additionally, we provide mental health support services, including counseling and emotional wellness programs, to help seniors manage stress and improve their overall emotional well-being. Our support group sessions allow seniors to find comfort in the shared experiences of other seniors, creating a sense of community and understanding. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where seniors can stay mentally sharp, express themselves, and seek the help they need.
Social Well-being: Through live sessions, community forums, group activities, and peer support sessions, we help seniors combat loneliness and foster meaningful relationships. Our platform encourages social interaction, promoting a sense of belonging and community.
3. Can you share some details about the traction you've gained so far and the current size and demographics of your user base?
Since its inception in 2020, Khyaal has quickly gained traction, catering to over 1.3 million senior citizens. Our user base primarily includes seniors aged 55 and above from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. The positive feedback and engagement from our users have validated our approach and motivated us to continue expanding our offerings.
4. How do you envision the agetech sector evolving in the coming years, and what role do you see Khyaal playing in that evolution?
The agetech sector is poised for significant growth as the global population ages. We foresee increased adoption of technology by seniors, driven by user-friendly and accessible solutions tailored to their needs. Khyaal aims to lead this evolution by continuously innovating and expanding our offerings to enhance the quality of life for seniors.
Over the next five years, we plan to cultivate a dynamic digital ecosystem supplemented by offline mediums, focusing on both quantitative growth and fostering genuine connections. Our aim is to improve their overall well-being through meaningful engagement.
5. What are some of the curated travel packages you provide, and how do you ensure they meet the needs of senior citizens?
Our curated travel packages are designed with seniors' preferences and needs in mind. We offer premium yet budget-friendly travel experiences that provide opportunities for exploration and adventure. Our travel packages include senior-friendly accommodations, relaxed-paced itineraries, and 24/7 support to ensure safety and comfort.
These packages not only cater to the wanderlust of seniors but also help them create cherished memories and form new relationships through safe and hassle-free travel experiences. We carefully select destinations and plan activities that are enjoyable and suitable for seniors, ensuring a fulfilling travel experience.
6. Loneliness is a prevalent issue among seniors. How does Khyaal's platform foster meaningful relationships and combat social isolation?
Our platform is designed to foster meaningful relationships and combat social isolation by creating a vibrant and supportive community for seniors. We organize group activities and peer support sessions that encourage engagement in shared interests and hobbies. Our daily sessions are designed to foster group participation, learning together, and sharing experiences. We facilitate regular live online sessions and community forums where seniors can connect with peers and share experiences. These virtual gatherings provide a sense of belonging and help seniors build new friendships, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Whether it's a virtual book club, a cooking class, or a group exercise session, these activities promote social interaction and help seniors develop meaningful connections with others who share similar interests. We also offer a variety of entertainment content, including games, quizzes, and interactive sessions. These activities help seniors stay mentally stimulated and socially active, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community.
7. You have recently introduced Digi-gold in partnership with CaratLane. Can you explain what this is and how it benefits the senior citizens using your platform?
Khyaal Digi-Gold, introduced in partnership with CaratLane, is a secure and hassle-free digital gold investment solution specifically tailored for seniors. This initiative addresses the traditional challenges of investing in physical gold, such as making charges, purity concerns, storage costs, and theft risks. Through our platform, seniors can invest in 24-Carat, 99.99% pure gold from the safety of their homes with 24/7 access to transactions, real-time gold prices, and historical data for informed decision-making. The absence of making charges and storage costs makes this a cost-effective option.
Khyaal Digi-Gold complies with all applicable laws and regulations, and allows investments starting from Rs.10. CaratLane secures physical gold on behalf of Khyaal users, stored in BVC’s high-security vaults, providing peace of mind by eliminating the logistical challenges of storing and securing physical gold. Additionally, seniors can easily convert their digital gold holdings into Indian Rupees or physical jewellery, choosing from CaratLane's extensive collection of over 8,000 unique designs available both online and at more than 270 retail outlets nationwide. Our platform offers a dedicated section for gold investments, ensuring ease of management, and integrates with other services for a holistic approach to senior wellbeing.
8. Could you share some testimonials from users about how Khyaal has positively impacted their lives?
We are proud to share some heartfelt testimonials from our community members, who have experienced firsthand the positive changes Khyaal has brought to their lives.
Col. Hoshiyar Singh Bhandari: "I still remember the troubled times of Covid-19 and the dark days of lockdown. When I came across Khyaal and its commitment to the elderly, my wife and I decided to join. We eagerly awaited their programs, and our favorite activity is Tambola. We also regularly participate in Yoga, Health, Meditation, Quiz, Sudoku, Technology, and Singing sessions. The Khyaal Team is very patient, compassionate, and understanding towards the community members. These sessions have not only kept us engaged but also helped us stay mentally and physically active during difficult times."
Nita Dave Jain: "Khyaal is a wonderful platform dedicated to making aging a beautiful experience for senior citizens. It offers a wide range of interactive learning opportunities that are rewarding for physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health. Being part of this community has enriched my life in many ways. I have learned new skills, made new friends, and felt more connected and supported than ever before."
These testimonials reflect the diverse ways in which Khyaal has positively impacted the lives of our senior community members. From providing engaging activities that promote physical and mental health to fostering a supportive and compassionate environment, Khyaal is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seniors.
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