Workshop on Welfare and Empowerment of Senior Citizens Concludes

Udaipur,  A one-day workshop focusing on the welfare and empowerment of senior citizens was organized by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Udaipur, on Wednesday at Tara Sansthan, located in Goverdhan Vilas. The programme marked the launch of a major initiative for the distribution of 40 electric wheelchairs across the district.

The workshop was inaugurated by Udaipur City MLA Tara Chand Jain, who emphasized the current relevance of old age homes and shared a poignant short story highlighting the shifting nature of familial and social relationships. The event saw enthusiastic participation from over 150 senior citizens.

The attendees refreshed their memories with old Bollywood melodies and actively participated in a yoga session, infusing the workshop with joy and vitality. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, knee belts, and back belts were distributed to senior citizens through the Prime Minister’s Divyangjan Centre, managed by ALIMCO, a Government of India enterprise.

Joint Director of the department, Girish Bhatnagar, informed that over 1.6 lakh beneficiaries are currently availing benefits under the Social Security Pension Scheme in the district. He added that 92% of these beneficiaries have completed their annual verification, while others are urged to complete the same via e-Mitra centres. He also mentioned that two old age homes in the district receive grants from the state government to support 50 senior residents.

The workshop featured expert talks by District Legal Services Authority Secretary ADJ Kuldeep Sharma, psychiatrist and Ayurvedacharya Dr. Vikram Kharadi, ICICI Bank representatives, and other specialists. They provided valuable insights into various welfare schemes, legal rights, and health programmes available for the elderly.

Praveen Paneri, Social Security Officer, gave detailed information about government schemes, while Kalpana Goyal and Dipesh Mittal of Tara Sansthan shared updates about the institution’s work and its associated old age homes. K.K. Chandravanshi, Assistant Director, Child Rights Department, delivered an address on senior citizen and child participation.

Other dignitaries present included Divyangjan Centre Coordinator Neha, Additional SP Hitesh Mehta, Assistant Director Arushi Jain, District Social Welfare Officer Suraj Parmar, Social Security Officers, and Hostel Superintendents.