Shillong, December 13: A mega camp for distribution of aids and assistive devices for daily living to BPL category senior citizen organised at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School premises in East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya.
The Chief Guest of the function Shri. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the event today, in presence of Mr Shitlang Pale, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board and other dignitaries. The camp was organised by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, a PSU under Ministry Social Justice & Empowerment in close association with the District Administration of East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.
In his speech, Mr. Gurjar said as much as 795 beneficiaries were receiving 7765 Aids and Assisted Living Devices to the Senior Citizens of Saipung Block and Wapung Block identified through assessment camps conducted by ALIMCO in the month of August this year under “RASHTRIYA VAYOSHRI YOJANA” of Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment.
Mr. Gurjar also said that under the Scheme, different category of Aids and Assisted-Living Devices were provided to eligible elderly beneficiary senior citizens, depending upon their physical impairment. In the distribution camp, the following Aids and Assisted-Living Devices
Moreover, Mr. Gurjar said that the devices will help the Senior Citizens to overcome their age related physical impairment and to lead a dignified and productive life with minimal dependence on care givers or other members of the family. The ambitious Scheme, first of its kind in the country is expected to benefit 5,20,000 Senior Citizens over a period of 3years, added Mr. Gurjar.
He also inform the gathering that as per the Census figures of 2011, the population of senior Citizens in India is 10.38 crore. More than 70% of the population of senior Citizens live in rural areas of the country. A sizeable percentage (5.2%) of the senior Citizens suffers from some sort of disabilities related to old age. Projections indicate that the number of elderly population will increase to around 173 million by 2026.
The Scheme aims at providing Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age related disability/infirmity viz. Low vision, Hearing Impairment, Loss of teeth and Locomotor disability, with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/infirmity manifested. The assistive devices shall be of high quality and conforming to the standards laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards, wherever applicable concluded Mr. Gurjar.
Others who spoke included Shri. S. Pale. Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, Govt. of Meghalaya, Smt. C. Kharkongor, Commissioner for People with Disabilities and Smt. R. S. Manner, ADC, East Jaintia Hills District. Shri. R. Mathore, DGM, ALIMCO offered a vote of thanks.
