The Regional Resource and Training Centre, Anugraha in
collaboration with Centre for Social Work, University Institute of Emerging Areas in
Social Sciences (UIEASS), Panjab University (PU), started a five-day training
programme on ‘Basic Care of Elderly and Issues Related to Elderly’, at the ICSSR
complex, on the campus from today.
    Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti who was the chief guest and
also inaugurated the training programme said a senior citizens home was being set up
on the campus. Prof Kiran Preet Kaur welcomed the chief guest and participants. Dr
Aabha Chaudhary, Chairperson, Anugraha announced a series of programs that will be
launched in Haryana and Punjab to assist NGOs in age care programs. Eminent panel of
senior citizens and experts addressed the gathering.
Dr Ajaib Singh, Brig. Kehsav Chandra, D.S Grewal, G.S. Bindra and representatives of
many old age homes, senior citizens associations and NGOs from Punjab and Haryana
attended the programme.  
    Anugraha is a national voluntary organization, dedicated to the interests of
older persons. Regional Resource and Training Centre on Ageing- Anugraha, is a leading
collaborative agency with union government in organizing a series of training programs
to highlight the status, needs and challenges being faced by older persons.
    The ageing population is one of the greatest challenges facing the world in
the 21st century. There has been a steady rise in the population of older persons in
India. A majority of elders are now exposed to emotional neglect and to lack of
physical and financial support. There is critical need for launching widespread older
care programmes in Chandigarh and adjoining states as the majority of elderly live in
far flung regions, with little social security, economic support and access to health
care. Chandigarh is known as the “City of Retired Persons” and there has been great
need and demand to launch old age care programmes to ensure “Ageing with Dignity”.
Wider participation and active involvement of stakeholders, including government
agencies for wider awareness generation of the various issues related to older persons
is the need of the hour.
                                       Press Note No.113
                                                AK/PS