International Day of Older Persons: 18th February 2011
Release of State Awards
International Day of Older Persons was celebrated by the Commissioner Senior Citizens in Hyderabad in a simple function at Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad on 18th February 2011. This function was earlier scheduled to be held on 1st October 2010 but got postponed due to the then prevailing tense political atmosphere in the city. Sri Shetty (President of Fapsco), Smt Anita Rajendra ( Commissioner of Disabled Welfare), Smt V Sunitha Laxmareddy (Minister for Indira Kranthi Patham, Pensions, SHGs, Dept of Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens), Sri Suresh Reddy (former Minister), Sri Venkatrama Reddy (Additional Secretary), Sri Ch Parameswara Reddy (President APSCCON) were on the dais. After lighting of Traditional lamp by dignitaries from the dais and prayer songs by the departmental young ladies and our Rajalingam, the meeting started with full vigor.
Smt Rajendra welcomed one and all to the function. She profusely expressed her embarrassment for the delay and postponement of holding the WED after six months. She said that tribunals under the MWPSCA are very active only in four districts – Nalgonda, Guntur, W Godhavary and Chittoor. Hyderabad and RR Districts have also set up tribunals but no awards have been made nor disposal of cases. She said Rules under act will be released soon; A proposal has been made to set up an old age home in each district; Aasara type of activity will be extended to all municipalities.
Sri Ch Parameswara Reddy briefly presented a list of demands including starting a separate Commissionerate for Senior Citizens. He also requested that the department may hold frequent meetings with APSCCON and FAPSCO. Shri BN Shetty of Fapsco reminded the government that senior citizens formed 16% of voters and asked for a budget of 2% in AP. He also insisted that through a simple GO (without financial commitments) the state government may define senior citizen as one who is sixty as against 65, as already provided for in NPOP. Smt Sunitha Laxmaiah assured that all the demands will be taken up with appropriate ministries / departments. She even hinted that the present chief minister is supportive of Senior Citizens Cause.
A series of awards to persons and institutions who have rendered yeomen service to the cause of senior citizens was given away at the hands of the minister. Special mention may be made of Smt Kamakshi of SCF, Sri Geddam Raja Reddy of Park View Enclave, Sri Tirupathi Rao of Association of Senior Citizens, ARDSI Deccan Chapter and Smt Marimamma of Guntur. (Rest of the awardees are not much known to me!) Let us congratulate each one of them. The function ended with a proposal of vote of thanks.
Unlike earlier years when participants were crowd sourced with departmental influence, this year it was spontaneous response from APSCCON and FAPSCO. To make a difference organizers distributed fruits (as against sweets and Kara) and water packets to members of the audience. What I liked most was the matter of fact (business like) way in which the meeting was conducted. Kudos to Ms Anita Rajendra for organsing the whole event amidst the prevailing confusion and chaos and uncertainity. (govt employees going on strike, Bundhs, political imbalance etc). And special thanks for the perfect Master of Ceremonies who did a remarkable job.
=================
Requests to friends:
Smt Kamakshi Hatti - If you have one or two photos of this event please send them
Sri JP Venkateswaralu Kindly publish a brief account in Blazing Twilight
Sri Chapke: Kindly include this news in AISCCON News
Sr Bhooma Reddy: You may kindly use this in addition to your own notes for Voice of Senior Citizens
Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278.
My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment