PANJIM: A video presentation depicting the loneliness in old age got Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar poignant, about when he would reach such a stage, at the launch of the toll free helpline service for senior citizens, on Wednesday.
“When I was watching the video, the question I asked myself was – how many years will it take me to reach this stage? We all have to go through this stage…,” he pondered aloud before launching the 1090 helpline for senior citizens.
Parsekar went on to compare the earlier generation when the decision of the patriarch in a joint family was obeyed and respected, unlike in today’s nuclear family where an aged member of a family is generally neglected. “I don’t say it happens in every family, but the fact is that today they (senior citizens) are neglected, after living a respectable life all through the years…” the chief minister said, adding that this was the sole purpose to introduce the helpline.
The 1090 helpline is also an attempt to strengthen the police-community relationship as the police force will be responsible for community service as well.
Inspector General of Police, Sunil Garg said the helpline would cater to all the needs of a senior citizen. “If the case is not pertaining to crime, we will route the matter to the concerned departments, if the caller is unwell, we will take him/her to the nearest primary health centre or call 108 ambulance. If the senior citizen is not able to go out an pay bills, the concerned beat constable will do the job,” he mentioned.
Similarly, any senior citizen living alone or at an isolated place will be taken care of with the beat constables regularly inquiring about their wellbeing and by visiting them.
The senior citizens will be given a booklet containing phone numbers of beat police at their respective jurisdiction, besides phone numbers of NGOs and other emergency numbers. While urging the people not to misuse the service, Parsekar claimed it was the responsibility of the government to introduce the helpline and it is ‘not a favour.’
