Delhi plans to offer more to its aged residents

The Delhi government plans to set up more recreational centres for senior citizens in the city during the current fiscal, state Minister for Education and Social Welfare Kiran Walia said.

The recreational centres would offer the aged a space to come away from home, for relaxation and leisure, and also relieve the responsibility for their care from family members who may need to be away at work in the day.

"Altogether, 83 recreation centres are being run by civil society organisations in different areas of Delhi. The Senior Citizens' Council under the social welfare department of Delhi government provides these centres a one-time grant of Rs.75,000 for buying basic necessities, and Rs.20,000 per month for covering operational expenses," Walia said at a function organised by the Delhi Senior Citizens' Welfare Association here Saturday.

"Delhi has more than two million senior citizens, out of the total of 90 million in the country. It is important to work out schemes and plans to help the elderly contribute to society. Security of elderly has been one of the main concerns of the state government," she said.

In one area in Delhi, Safdarjung Enclave, even a free pick-up and drop facility has been arranged for the elderly.

K.K. Kapila of the Delhi Senior Citizens' Welfare Association said indoor games, a reading room with Skype facilities, from where visitors could speak to relatives anywhere in the world, and facilitation of medical care at discounted rates would all be made available to the elderly visiting the centres.