District-Level Senior Citizens’ Day Celebrated by Balasore Administration: Collector Felicitates Senior Citizens
Balasore, Oct 10 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty):
The district-level Senior Citizens’ Day 2025 was celebrated at the newly built auditorium of the Collector’s office in Balasore. The event was organised by the District Administration in collaboration with the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Collector Suryavanshi Mayur Vikas attended as Chief Guest, while Antaryami Nayak, Advisor of the Balasore District Senior Citizens’ Forum, presided over the function. The programme was coordinated by former Zilla Parishad Chairman Girish Chandra Das on behalf of the Forum. The event began with an invigorating yoga session, inaugurated by Additional District Magistrate (General) Sudhakar Nayak, followed by a health check-up camp for senior citizens.
During the formal session, District Social Security Officer Pratibha Behera welcomed the guests and briefed the audience about the significance of the day. In his address, the Collector emphasized that the knowledge, experience, and wisdom of senior citizens are invaluable assets to society. He underlined the importance of showing them love, respect, care, and dignity, while outlining various government welfare schemes and legal protections designed for their benefit.
Advisor Antaryami Nayak spoke on the Senior Citizens Act 2016, elaborating on the government’s provisions for financial aid, protection from domestic violence, and facilities such as identification cards, social security benefits, hospital arrangements, travel concessions, and housing support for the elderly.
Sub-Collector Shiva Malavya assured all possible administrative cooperation for their welfare. Addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, ADM Sudhakar Nayak highlighted the district administration’s initiatives to provide social security cards, housing land, and other assistance under government schemes.
Ramakrishna Sharma, former Additional Director of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, served as Keynote Speaker, stressing the importance of yoga, sensitivity, and social recognition in improving the quality of life of the elderly.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Gauranga Panigrahi, a member of the Senior Citizens’ Forum.
Among others present were former Zilla Parishad Chairman Girish Chandra Das, former Social Security Officer Kamalakanta Kar, DSWO Pratibha Behera, General Secretary Mr. Nanda, and the Assistant District Medical Officer. Senior citizens from various blocks of Balasore district attended the programme, where several were felicitated for their achievements and contributions in different fields.
