Nawanshahr (Des Raj Bali):- The Senior Citizens Association, Nawanshahr, organized its annual function at Bai Ji Di Kutia, Nawanshahr, to mark International Senior Citizens Day. The event was held under the patronage of the Association’s Chairman, Dr. JD Verma, and the chairmanship of President SK Puri. SDM Anmayjot Kaur attended as the chief guest, while Civil Surgeon Dr. Aman Sood, District Social Security Officer Naresh Kumar and DSP Amandeep Sondhi attended as special guests.
At the beginning of the programme, Chairman Dr. JD Verma welcomed the guests, office-bearers of the Association, members and their accompanying family members in his welcome address. President SK Puri spoke about the formation of the Association, stating that it was established in April 2013 with just 21 members, whereas it now has around 250 members. These include retired officers and employees from various departments, businesspeople, farmers and people belonging to different sections of society.
President Puri, through chief guest SDM Anmayjot Kaur, urged the district administration to immediately get the dilapidated internal roads of the city, particularly Kulam Road and Saloh Road, repaired and reconstructed. These roads frequently pose a risk of injuries to senior citizens and other commuters. He also requested the district administration to permanently allot a room or hall to senior citizens in the administrative complex or another government building, where they could sit together and discuss their problems.
General Secretary Sukhdev Sharma spoke about the activities undertaken by the Association during the previous year, including planting trees to keep the environment green and organizing blood donation camps. He said the Association would continue its social service activities.
Chief guest SDM Anmayjot Kaur advised senior citizens to live their lives to the fullest. She said that anyone wishing to remain healthy should keep themselves engaged in one activity or another. Civil Surgeon Dr. Aman Sood provided detailed information about physical and mental illnesses affecting senior citizens and the general public, as well as their treatment. District Social Security Officer Naresh Kumar informed the senior citizens about the facilities and benefits provided to them by the government. DSP Amandeep Sondhi advised the general public, particularly senior citizens, to remain alert against cyber fraudsters.
Former DEO Dinesh Kumar explained the history of Senior Citizens Day and provided information about laws enacted to help senior citizens. Chaman Singh, Project Director of the Drug De-addiction Centre, Nawanshahr, expressed concern over the mistreatment of elderly people and urged families to take proper care of them and ensure that they receive the respect and dignity they deserve in society. Association member Lakhvir Singh also shared his views.
Members whose birthdays or wedding anniversaries fall in October were presented with flowers and congratulated. The five most senior members of the Association—Ravinder Kumar Sareen, Des Raj Sialyara, Bodh Raj, Kulwant Kaur and Saroj Puri—were honoured with shawls by chief guest SDM Anmayjot Kaur.
Members Kailash Bali, Jeevan Pathak, Subhash Arora and Sarwan Ram entertained the gathering by reciting poems and singing religious and patriotic songs. The presidential panel honoured the chief guest and special guests with bouquets and mementoes.
At the conclusion, Senior Vice-President Ramdhan Chaudhary thanked the guests, Association members, their family members and journalist colleagues for attending the function. General Secretary Sukhdev Sharma efficiently performed the role of stage secretary. A large number of members were present on the occasion.
