Senior citizens like trees of wisdom in society: CM

Bhubaneswar, Dec 19: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday said senior citizens are like the trees of wisdom in our society.

Their wisdom does not come from any book or scripture; it comes from their deep understanding of life and no society can grow or move forward by ignoring its senior citizens, he said while addressing the Foundation Day celebration of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Odisha.

“They are the source of immense knowledge and experience that can guide the younger generation to handle the situations better. We must appreciate their wisdom and value their contribution to society,” Patnaik said.

The Chief Minister said his government was always been sensitive to the needs of senior citizens of the State.

“We are providing monthly pension to more than 27 Lakh senior citizens under different schemes and in 2016, the State Government had put in place Odisha Senior Citizens Policy which envisages a number of welfare provisions for our senior citizens,” he added.

Patnaik said the State government is setting up 200-bed Old Age Homes in all districts in a phased manner and also setting up Geriatric Care Wards and Counselling Centres at all district level hospitals.

“Giving utmost priority to the security of senior citizens, we have opened Senior Citizen Security Cells in all Police Stations. Besides, State Awards are being conferred upon individuals and institutions for making outstanding achievements in different fields especially in geriatric care,” he said.

Apart from socio-economic and healthcare needs, senior citizens do also have religious needs and keeping this in mind the State Government has been organizing Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana since 2016, the Chief Minister said.

“Thousands of persons have availed the facility under this popular scheme to visit several religious places across the country,” he said.

He complimented the Federation of Senior Citizens for their endeavour to unite and lead a healthy social life, and for making constructive contribution to the society.

“I wish all of you a healthy and happy life,” he concluded.