Punjab Government Launches Statewide Outreach for Senior Citizens Under 'Our Elders, Our Pride' Campaign
The Punjab government has initiated a comprehensive statewide outreach drive as part of the 'Our Elders, Our Pride' campaign, aimed at bolstering the welfare of the elderly population across the state. This initiative focuses on grassroots interventions to ensure the health, security, and dignity of senior citizens, reflecting the government's commitment to treating them as valuable societal assets.
Minister Highlights Campaign Impact and Registration Figures
Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized the campaign's people-centric approach, stating, "The Punjab government considers senior citizens a valuable asset of society and is taking effective, people-centric steps at the grassroots level to ensure their health, security, and dignity." She revealed that nearly 9,000 senior citizens have registered so far, directly benefiting from district-wise health camps organized statewide.
Detailed data shared by the minister showcases the campaign's wide outreach:
- 2,268 senior citizens underwent general health check-ups.
- 1,241 availed orthopaedic check-ups.
- 2,607 received eye examinations.
- 631 participated in yoga sessions.
- 551 availed homoeopathic treatment.
- 791 benefited from ayurvedic health services.
Additional Welfare Services and District-Wide Implementation
Under the ALIMCO scheme, 243 senior citizens were registered, with 89 provided assistive devices such as wheelchairs, spectacles, and hearing aids. Additionally, old age pension forms were processed for 233 senior citizens, and senior citizen cards were issued to 306 beneficiaries during the camps.
Health check-up camps have already been successfully organized in multiple districts, including:
- Amritsar
- Barnala
- Bathinda
- Fatehgarh Sahib
- Ferozepur
- Fazilka
- Hoshiarpur
- Ludhiana
- Muktsar
- Moga
- Mansa
- Patiala
- Ropar
- Mohali
These camps are being conducted in a phased manner, with plans to complete them across all districts of Punjab during February. Remaining camps are scheduled for districts such as Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Malerkotla, Nawanshahr, Sangrur, and Tarn Taran, with necessary arrangements underway for early execution.
Financial Backing and Comprehensive Services
Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted the financial support for the initiative, noting that a budget provision of Rs 7.86 crore was made under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens. This funding covers district-wise health camps and related activities, which not only provide medical check-ups but also facilitate:
- Cataract surgeries
- Free distribution of assistive devices
- Preparation of old age pension forms
- Issuance of senior citizen cards
- Awareness about legal and social rights of senior citizens
The campaign underscores the Punjab government's dedication to enhancing the quality of life for its elderly population through targeted and well-funded interventions.
