Kishtwar : To promote welfare of senior citizens, the Department of Social Welfare Kishtwar orchestrated a comprehensive awareness camp, addressing critical aspects of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, in conjunction with Rule 3 of J&K Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens.
Attended by distinguished guests and prominent figures from the legal, social, and youth sectors, the event featured Mahmud Anwar Alnisar, Chairman of the Tehsil Legal Services Authority (Chief Judicial Magistrate) Kishtwar; Zubair Ahmed Lone, District Social Welfare Officer Kishtwar; Members from the Senior Citizens Council; Chairman of the Social Reforms and Charitable Organization Sanjeev Parihar; and the President of the Senior Citizens Forum Roshan Lal, among others.
Also present were Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Kishtwar Rajesh Kumar, TSWO Paddar Chetna Sharma, and TSWO Chatroo Shahnawaz Ahmed besides senior citizens and Youths(First time Voters).
The primary focus of the awareness campaign was to educate the senior citizens about their rights under the aforementioned legal provisions. Furthermore, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters and senior voters above the age of 80 received targeted awareness during the event.
Key speakers, including the DSWO, representatives from DLSA and TSWOs, elucidated the nuances of citizens’ rights and highlighted the role of appellate tribunals at the district level, along with Maintenance Tribunals at the sub-divisional level. Students actively participated as speakers, contributing insightful information, and were duly felicitated for their valuable contributions.
Notably, the Social Welfare Department tailored the awareness camp to encompass a holistic understanding of the issues faced by senior citizens, emphasizing the significance of their well-being within the legal framework.
Simultaneously, a separate awareness team from 49-Kishtwar conducted a demonstration of EVM/VVPAT.
This initiative aimed to inform senior citizens about their voting rights and familiarize them with the facilities provided by the Election Commission of India during the voting process. Practical demonstrations on how to verify votes were also provided.
In conclusion, the Department of Social Welfare Kishtwar, through this special awareness camp, underscores its commitment to the welfare and rights of senior citizens. The collaborative effort involving legal luminaries, social activists, and youth representatives reinforces the importance of collective action in addressing the diverse needs of this crucial segment of our society.
