Shopian, March 12:
The Social Welfare Department Shopian organised a sensitisation and awareness programme for senior citizens under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana at Palaash, Shopian. The programme aimed to promote awareness among the elderly about their rights, welfare schemes and various support services available for their well-being.
During the programme, resource persons delivered informative lectures on digital and financial literacy and highlighted the importance of ensuring the rights, protection and dignity of senior citizens in society. They also sensitised participants about various welfare schemes being implemented by the government for the benefit of the elderly and encouraged them to avail these services.
Addressing the gathering, Superintendent Palaash Mr. Sameer Ahmad Khan spoke in detail about the initiatives and welfare programmes being implemented by the Social Welfare Department for senior citizens. He informed that the department is regularly organising intergenerational bonding programmes and awareness drives to ensure that elderly persons remain informed about different schemes and support systems meant for them.
He further emphasised the need for senior citizens to remain cautious while using digital banking services and educated them about safe banking practices, including ways to safeguard themselves from online banking fraud and financial scams.
The programme also provided an interactive platform where senior citizens shared their concerns and experiences, while officials and banking representatives responded to their queries regarding financial safety and government welfare schemes.
The programme was chaired by the Superintendent Palaash Mr. Sameer Ahmad Khan and was attended by officials of the Social Welfare Department, representatives from the banking sector, and a large number of senior citizens from different areas of the district. The participants appreciated the initiative and called for more such awareness programmes in the future to keep the elderly informed and empowered.

