SC Judge inaugurates first govt-operated day care for senior citizens

The Supreme Court Judge, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer inaugurated the first government-sponsored and operated Day Care-cum-Recreation Centre for senior citizens in Leh on October 8. The Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Gita Mittal was also present at the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Rajesh Bindal, Executive Chairman, J&K State Legal Service Authority said, with the advent growth of technology these days the elderly feel a sense of 'isolation'. He also urged senior citizens to take full advantage of the centre. 

Congratulating the people on coming up of this centre at Leh, Justice Nazeer appreciated the initiatives of the State Legal Service Authority who came up with this concept for the senior citizens. "I feel immense pleasure over visiting Ladakh and dedicating this facility to the senior citizens of this region," Justice Nazeer said and added that opening a centre is comparatively easier than its sustainability; therefore, the local administration has a big responsibility to run this recreation centre in a meaningful way. 

READ | Rescue Operations Save Over 200 People Stranded At Manali-Leh Road

'Swabhiman Parisar'

Greeting the senior citizens of Leh on the inaugural day of their Day Care and Recreation Centre, Justice Mittal made a mention of the success story of "Swabhiman Parisar" - a Centre for welfare of senior citizens of Delhi which was opened under her initiative, she was quoted saying that a similar centre was also opened in Srinagar and now in Leh with all the necessary facilities. 

"This will be a place of cheerfulness where senior citizens can meet, share their experiences, spelling out solutions to the social issues and guiding the society using their years of experiences and expertise in different fields" she added.

She further said that in this fast-changing scenario, such centres are required especially for the elderly people to get answers to all their questions from a single window.  Justice Mittal expressed gratitude to the district administration for their huge contribution in establishing and running the Centre.

READ | Leh Celebrates 150th Gandhi Jayanti, Organises Cleanliness Drive

Welcoming the guests and senior citizens on the inauguration, Deputy Commissioner, Leh Sachin Kumar Vaishya stated the centre would play a role of game-changer in addressing the special needs of senior citizens at their crucial point of life and would provide an optimum socialising environment for them. He asserted the district administration would do its best to run the Centre in a well-organised way. Others who spoke on the occasion included Akram Chaudhary, Member Secretary, J&K SLSA, Dr Aabha Chaudhary, Resource Person, Ghulam Rasool Lassu and Padma Shri Morup Namgyal.

READ | Housing Ministry Seeks Report For Infrastructural Plans In Leh, Kargil

About the daycare

The Daycare is a one-stop-shop for entertainment, medical services and legal aid for the aged people of the region. The Centre, co-sponsored by Government and the District Legal Service Authority also provided a raft of medical facilities including geriatric care, health consultations and check-ups, physiotherapy as well legal service the senior citizens would require on various legal issues. The premises are also equipped with computers and a library. Aged citizens can entertain themselves with indoor games and recreational activities. 

READ | Leh Palace Murals Being Restored By Archaeological Survey Of India

(with ANI inputs)