Chief Minister Harish Rawat said that his Government is committed to evolve a State policy for the senior citizens. He said this while addressing a seminar organised to mark International Day of Older Person in Dehradun on Thursday. He further said that the State health department would distribute spectacles free among the needy elderly across the State soon.
A walk-a-thon was organised by the Help Age India in Dehradun on Thursday too on the occasion. The programme was flagged off from pavilion ground by IG Telecom G C Pant and G M Uttarakhand NABARD T K Hazarika. The elderly took the lead.
There were around 350 participants of different age groups, including students of Sanskar International School and government-run middle schools, members of various senior citizen associations based in Dehradun, members of elders’ self-help groups, individuals and volunteers.
After the walkathon concluded at Town Hall a seminar on “Senior Citizens in Uttarakhand: Challenges and Opportunities” was organised where the state Chief Minister was the chief guest. later, Mayor Dehradun Vinod Chamoli said that the younger people should hold the elderly in high respect in tune with the hoary tradition of the land. Hazarika said they will support HelpAge India. ”By 2050, 25% of the population would turn senior citizens. Keeping this in view, it is imperative to formulate suitable policies now. Present government has already taken a few steps to create a congenial environment for the senior citizens. Some schemes have been taken up too to better things for them,” he added.