Team Herald
PANJIM: The Directorate of Social Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alankit Assignments Limited for starting ELDERLINE, a helpline to cater to senior citizens in the State.
The National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC), namely the ELDERLINE 14567 is an initiative by the Government of India to execute and implement a PAN-India helpline to support the needs of the elderly. The nodal ministry is the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which has collaborated with the State governments/UTs to effect the implementation of the national initiative.
ELDERLINE 14567 is a toll-free number operational from 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week, which provides free information, guidance, emotional support, field intervention in cases of abuse, rescue and reunion of homeless elderly.
The MoU was signed by Director of Social Welfare Ajit Panchwadkar and Alankit Assignments Limited Vice President Sanjay Bhat at a function organised by Directorate of Social Welfare to celebrate International Day for Senior Citizens at Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said, “At present India is the nation of youth but in the next 10 years it will be known as nation of senior citizens as the number of senior citizens is increasing day by day. The demands of senior citizens have to be taken into consideration and a solution needs to be taken as no one can neglect senior citizens -- be it any political party or government.”
Senior citizens are a social responsibility, he said and urged society to come forward to take care of them.
Secretary (Social Welfare) E Vallavan, IAS; Deputy Director of Social Welfare Sitaram Sawal; Assistant Director Pradnya Dessai and Rashmi Rawal were present on the occasion.
Also, 14 persons were felicitated for their social work and for their contribution to the State.