Bhopal: Minister for social justice and disabled welfare Gopal Bhargava said that no service is bigger than serving elderly people. This is like praying God. Bhargava was addressing one-day state level convention of day care centres. He said that the first programme of like this senior citizen is appreciating initiative. He said that the old age comes in everybody’s life. Innovation of day-care will be fruitful in removing frustration and loneliness from elderly people. Bhargava said that efforts will be made to open day-care centre at panchayat level. The government will provide all possible help for it. A network will be created in the state to make life of senior citizens happier and respect them. Administrative officers and voluntary organisations will have to work with dedication and devotion regarding this. He said that all regions had given the highest place to elderly people.
Social justice minister Bhargava awarded Karmaveer Sharma, IAS officer in the category of public dialogue in the project for senior citizens, CEO Anuraj Choudhary for Vayoshresth Samman in the category of Anubhuti Abhiyan. Manohar V Bhale of Day-Care Centre Dewas was awarded with the best day care centre in the category of senior citizen institute. Gram Panchayat Singanama (Hoshagabad) in rural and Amrai in urban area and Varishta Nagrik Paramarsh Evam Kalyan Sangh, day -care centre, Indore, were awarded with first prize and cash of Rs 31,000 each for best conduction and managing of day-care centre. The second prize was given to Rangkhoj Parisar, Sagar and Varishta Nagarik Kalyan Sangthan, Betul with cash prize of Rs 21,000 each. Punjabi Hindu Association, Jabalpur and Sevanivrat Evam Pensioner Nagarik Mahasangh, Mandsaur were given third prize with Rs 11,000 cash and citation each.
Chairman of Senior Citizen Welfare Commission VG Dharmadhikari said that the convention was organised to gather suggestions and share experiences of day-care centres. He informed that Betul day-care centre managed eye operation of 10,000 senior citizens. Subhash Sharma and Sunita Tomar made presentations in the convention.
Principal Secretary social justice VK Batham, commission members Badrilal Patidar, Gopal Krishna Godani, additional director social justice Geeta Kamathe and presidents, secretaries and managers of the day care centres were present.