Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Old-age homes in every district soon, says Nehru

— Photo:R. Ashok

APPRECIATION: Transport Minister K.N. Nehru giving away a prize to a winner at the World Elders’ Day celebrations in Tiruchi on Wednesday. Collector T. Soundiah (right) and Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman (third from right), are in the picture.

TIRUCHI: The State government will shortly set up old-age homes in every district to shelter senior citizens, Transport Minister K. N. Nehru said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the World Elders’ Day celebrations here, he said it was the DMK government that started the monthly pension scheme for senior citizens, which was later adopted by the Centre, having been billed the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.

The State government lobbied with the Centre for including the parents of male children in the scheme, which was, hitherto, available only for those with female progeny.

The government, he said, was also offering financial aid to the old age homes run by private and non-governmental agencies.

The urban lifestyle had shrunk the families, he said, and the pointer was the increase in old age homes in cities.

The trend had seeped into rural areas, where the families had disintegrated into nuclear families.

He distributed prizes to the winners of sports events conducted at various old-age homes. A centenarian from Lalgudi was honoured.

Presiding, Collector T. Soundiah assured the old age homes of all help.

The earning heads, he said, must become more responsible and support the senior citizens in their families.

Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman; Corporation Commissioner T. T. Balsamy; and District Social Welfare Officer S. Lakshmi spoke.

More than hundred inmates from various old-age homes attended the event, which was conducted by the Department of Social Work, Holy Cross Charitable Trust, and the Sisters of the Cross Society for Educational Development.

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