For the first time in Kashmir, a day-care and recreational space has been set up for senior citizens.
The centre named Ahata-e-Waqar (Space of Dignity) willprovide senior citizens and retired persons a platform where they will spendtime together, share life experiences, read periodicals, take part inrecreational activities, play games. “After retirement the elderly people oftenremain confined to their homes and stop socialising. This centre is expected tolet them sit together so they don’t feel isolated,” said Mohammad Ismail, aretired government employee.
The centre, inaugurated on Wednesday by Chief JusticeJ&K Gita Mittal at Chanpora area of Srinagar, has a library, recreationalhall, reading room, pantry, counselling centre, geriatric OPD and physiotherapyfacility.
The government has established it in collaboration with theDistrict Legal Service Authority, Srinagar. The social welfare department willbe in charge of its maintenance.
“More such centres should come up in every district. This isthe need of the hour,” said a group of elderly men who had come to see thefacilities at the centre.
Earlier this month, the social welfare department gave nodto creation of an old-age home for the care of the destitute and abandonedelderly citizens of Kashmir.