Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Reaffirming the Jammu and Kashmir Government's commitment to the welfare and dignity of senior citizens, Cabinet Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma on Tuesday visited the Home for the Aged & Infirm (Vridh Ashram) at Amphalla, Jammu, where he interacted with elderly residents and assured all possible support for strengthening the institution's healthcare and welfare infrastructure.
The Minister's visit provided an opportunity for meaningful engagement with the residents of one of Jammu's oldest and most respected charitable institutions dedicated to the care of elderly persons. During his visit, Sharma paid floral tributes to the founder of the institution, Late Shri Ram Nath Prabhakar Ji, acknowledging his vision and humanitarian values that laid the foundation of the Home and have continued to inspire its service to senior citizens over the decades.
A major highlight of the programme was the inauguration of the Home's newly established Emergency Wards, a significant addition aimed at enhancing healthcare services for the elderly residents. The upgraded facility is expected to strengthen emergency medical care and ensure timely treatment for inmates requiring urgent medical attention.
The Minister was later briefed on the institution's functioning through a detailed PowerPoint presentation highlighting its journey, achievements, welfare initiatives, healthcare services, infrastructure development, outreach programmes, recognitions, and future expansion plans. A documentary showcasing the day-to-day care, facilities, and services being provided to the residents was also screened, which drew appreciation from the Minister.
One of the most emotional moments of the visit came during Sharma's interaction with the elderly residents. In a gesture reflecting respect for senior citizens, the Minister bowed before the residents, sought their blessings, and patiently listened to their life experiences, concerns, and suggestions.
The residents shared that having been separated from their families and homes, the institution had become their only permanent shelter. They informed the Minister that many of them lacked independent sources of income and requested the issuance of a consolidated Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card in the name of the Home for all eligible inmates. They said such a step would enable them to access various government welfare schemes, including old-age pension and other social security benefits.
The inmates also appealed for the installation of solar-powered street lights and a solar energy system within the institution to improve its infrastructure and reduce operational costs.
Responding to their concerns, Sharma assured the residents that their genuine demands would be given due consideration and that the government remains committed to improving facilities for senior citizens and ensuring that deserving beneficiaries receive the benefits of welfare schemes.
During the visit, Er. Pankaj Gupta, President of the Home for the Aged & Infirm, who was in Srinagar on official engagements, spoke with the Minister over the telephone and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for visiting the institution and extending support towards its future development.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Dinesh Gupta, Secretary of the Home for the Aged & Infirm, who expressed sincere appreciation to the Minister for inaugurating the Emergency Wards, interacting warmly with the residents, and assuring support for the institution's developmental needs.
Dr. Gupta observed that such visits not only boost the morale of the elderly residents but also reinforce society's collective responsibility towards ensuring the care, dignity, and well-being of senior citizens.
The event was attended by Sh. Vijay Gupta, Joint Secretary, along with members of the Management Committee, including Sh. Satpal Sharma, Sh. Rajinder Singh, Sh. Vijay Dhawan, Dr. Surinder Kumar, Dr. Roopali Slathia, and Mrs. Sudha Gupta, besides staff members and residents of the Home.