New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI): Union Minister Virendra Kumar and Minister of State B L Verma on Friday distributed 662 aids and assistive devices worth over Rs 10 lakh to 114 senior citizens from Delhi-NCR under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
The distribution was done at a programme organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre here on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and the birth anniversary of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the ministry said in a statement.
Addressing the gathering, Kumar said access to appropriate assistive devices can help senior citizens become more self-reliant in carrying out their daily activities and lead their lives with greater dignity and confidence.
He called for collective efforts by youth, corporates, NGOs and organisations working for the welfare of senior citizens to build an inclusive society.
The minister said senior citizens often face difficulties related to hearing, mobility and vision with advancing age and noted that the ministry has decided to expand the distribution of assistive devices to beneficiaries residing in senior citizens’ homes across the country.
According to the 2011 Census, India has 10.38 crore senior citizens, with around 70 per cent of them residing in rural areas, Kumar said.
The ministry plans to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Vayoshri Kendras from 109 to 300 to enable senior citizens to access assistive devices and related services more conveniently, he said.
Verma highlighted the importance of the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, which was launched by the department on April 1, 2017, to provide aids and assistive devices to senior citizens in need. He lauded the contributions and sacrifices of senior citizens in the nation-building process and highlighted initiatives being undertaken by the department to promote inter-generational bonding and greater social inclusion of the elderly.
Verma said senior citizens can continue to contribute their experience, knowledge and wisdom towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The ministry said aids and assistive devices were distributed to 904 senior citizens at Bhavnagar in Gujarat on Thursday on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.
The programme concluded with the ministers and invited senior citizens offering floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and B R Ambedkar.
