Directorate of Social Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alankit Assignments Limited for starting ELDERLINE an helpline to cater to senior citizens in the State of Goa.
The National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC), namely the ELDERLINE 14567 is an initiative by the Government of India to execute and implement a PAN-India helpline to support the needs of the elderly. The nodal ministry is the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment which has collaborated with the UTs/State Governments to effect the implementation of the national initiative.
ELDERLINE 14567 is a toll-free number operational from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. IST 7 days a week, which provides free information, guidance, emotional support, field intervention in cases of abuse, rescue and reunion of homeless elderly.
The MoU for the ElLDERLINE which will be launched in the coming days in the State was signed by Director, Social Welfare, Shri Ajit Panchwadkar and Vice President, Alankit Assignments Limited Shri Sanjay Bhat at the function organised by Directorate of Social Welfare to celebrate International Day for Senior Citizens at Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao today.
MLA, Shri Digamber Kamat while speaking on the occasion said at present India is the Nation of youths but in the next 10 years it will be known as nation of senior citizens as the number of senior citizens is increasing day by day. Demands of senior citizens has to be taken into consideration and solution needs to be taken as no one one can neglect senior citizens – it may be any Political party or Government Shri Kamat said. Senior citizens is social responsibility and just not totally Governments, he remarked and urged society to come forward to take care of them.
Secretary, Social Welfare, Shri E Vallavan, IAS; Deputy Director, Shri Sitaram Sawal; Assistant Director, Smt Pradnya Dessai and Smt Rashmi Rawal were present on the occasion.
Vice President, Alankit, Shri Sanjay Bhat gave detailed information about Elderline.
Suryakant Naik Dessai, Ida Rose Miller Mukherjee, Chandranath Dhume, Sripad Palyekar, Rohidas Harmalkar, Devki Gaonkar, Ajit Hegde, Avelino Mascarenhas, Arvind Wadikar, Chandrakant Mainkar, Madhav Prabhudessai, Geetanjali Dessai, Shantaji Naik Gaonkar and Shashikant Kerkar were felicitated for Best Social Worker for their contribution for the State.
Shri Ajit Panchwadkar in his welcome address spoke about the various schemes and initiatives run by the Department for senior citizens.
