One look at the world around will open before our eyes vast areas where our services are needed and can make a difference. Starting from children and going up to senior citizens, the number of people who can benefit from our help is endless. Instead of turning away from the sufferings or difficulties of those less fortunate than us, let us welcome them as opportunities to do our bit in the world as if God has given us a chance to prove our mettle and realize our compassion towards others
The blessed ones get the opportunity to serve.
Let's analyze the issues which require our immediate attention!.
FEDSEN, the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Punjab held its meeting with the GNCT Governing body and senior citizens of Mullanpur and adjoining villages at Gurmat Bhawan on Sunday, 10 September 2017.
Fedsen officials came for the meeting from Ludhiana and Chandigarh. Er Balbir Singh SE (retd.) Irrigation dept Punjab, Sr Vice President Fedsen introduced the audience to Fedsen, its aims and objectives and how it came into being.
Sh S.P. Karkara IAS (retd), president Fedsen addressed the august gathering and shared his views on the role of senior citizens in the society, problems faced by them in the present scenario and how Fedsen can help them. He also encouraged those present to form such an association locally.
Mr H.S. Phoolka, MLA Dakha also managed to take some time off his busy schedule to attend the meeting. He stressed upon the importance of good health in a person's golden years. He also urged the local bodies and NGOs to form projects and programs that are senior citizens friendly and not remain dependent on government to come to their rescue.
Sh Rajat Malhotra, advocate and member Fedsen committee for protection of life and property of senior citizens touched upon the legal rights of senior citizens and how law can come to the rescue of anyone who is deprived of ones basic rights in his/her old age by family or by society.
Sh Ashok Patiyal, Advocacy Officer, HelpAge India, Chandigarh office was kind enough to travel all the way to tell the audience about HelpAge and how it can be approached in time of need and various HelpAge schemes like senior citizens homes and mobile health care vans. Toll free 24 hour helpline number of HelpAge was also introduced to the audience.
Ms Navkiranpreet Kaur, member governing body GNCT managed the stage with her usual elan. She introduced the audience to the various projects being run by GNCT, Senior Citizens Day Care program being one of the debut projects.
Mr. Preminder Kumar Goga and Mr Telu Ram ji, both ex presidents of Nagar Panchayat, Mullanpur also shared their views with the gathering.
Fedsen also honoured some outstanding senior citizens of the region.
In conclusion Dr A.S. Deol thanked the Fedsen members and all those present at the occasion. His message in short to the friends in their golden years was to always have a positive attitude towards life and never to stop learning and growing. Age, after all is a quality of mind.
Finally, the foundation was also laid for the formation of an Association for the Senior Citizens at a local level.
Sh. Thawar Chand Gehlot, Cabinet Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment visited Gurmat Bhawan along with Sh. Vijay Sampla, Minister of State in the same department on 15-6-2017. They inspected various projects being run here and had a candid interaction with the inmates of Drug De Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, the orphanage and the Senior Citizens Day Care Centre. They appreciated and expressed their satisfaction with the work being done here. The honourable Minister also gave various valuable suggestions. And before he left he wished good luck to all the staff members, the Volunteers and the Trustees. He expressed his hope that the institute continue serving the humanity for times to comes.
This camp was organized in the loving memory of late S. Gurbachan singh Sidhu, at his native village Kaonke Kalan, Teh. Jagraon, Distt. Ludhiana. S. G.S. sidhu was instrumental in initiating this free aid to Disabled Persons Co incidently, the first camp was also organized at this very place 10-9-2006. It was sponsored by Guru Nanak Charitable Trust. The screening was done on 21-5-2017, by Dr. G.S. Mann (M.S. Ortho) and his team, 145 patients were examined for their disabilities and assessed for the aids and appliances to be given. Distribution of aids and appliances was done on 4-6-2017. Madam Sarbhjit Kaur Manuke, the Local MLA there to grace the occasion. Mr. Harjit Singh Daffu, and old associate of S. G.S. Sidhu was also there
Following aids and appliances were distributed :
* Hearing Aids = 46
This camp was sponsored by S. Manjit Singh (Gravesend, Kent, UK) S/o S. Bhagat Singh Vill. Ladian Khurd. The experts team was from Ruby Nelson Memorial Hospital, Jalandhar. OPD was held on 26th March 2017 and a total of 650 patients with various eye ailments were examined & given free treatment. IOL & Yag Laser and other minor surgeries all added up to 208. S. Manjit Singh was present during the camp.
