The Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment, under the presidency of Smt. Droupadi Murmu, launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare and empowering senior citizens at an 'Ageing with Dignity' event in Delhi on May 2nd, 2025. The key activities included:
1. **Launch of a Senior Citizen Welfare Portal**: A digital platform designed to provide senior citizens with access to government schemes, healthcare benefits, welfare services, and relevant events through seamless online access.
2. **Virtual Inauguration of Senior Citizens Homes**: Five new homes were inaugurated at locations across India (Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Wokha in Nagaland, Vellore in Tamil Nadu, Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh, and Nainital in Uttarakhand), aimed at providing safe and dignified living environments for needy seniors.
3. **Signing of an MOU with Brahmakumaris**: To promote intergenerational bonding, mental health programs, mindfulness, and spiritual enrichment through collective efforts on emotional balance and inner peace promotion.
4. **Distribution of Aids & Assistive Devices**: Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), assistive items were handed over to eligible senior citizens to address their healthcare needs.
5. **Recognition of Unsung Heroes**: An event honoring individuals who have contributed selflessly across diverse fields including education, social reform, sports, arts and literature, history, and community service.
These initiatives collectively aim to foster an inclusive society for the elderly, empower them through digital inclusion, address their welfare requirements, and promote intergenerational bonding. They underpin India's commitment towards respecting and honoring its senior citizens' contributions and ensuring their dignified living conditions in society without discrimination.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: The Union Ministry responsible for social justice and empowerment, part of the Indian government.
President of India: The head of state who launched key initiatives for senior citizens at an event and attended it along with dignitaries like previous PM of Delhi.
Ageing with Dignity Initiatives: A series of welfare programs aimed at the aging population as detailed in a press release by PIB Delhi.
Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre: The location where President of India launched initiatives for senior citizens and held an event.
Union Ministry's senior citizens welfare portal: A digital platform launched by the Indian government to empower elderly through access to government schemes, healthcare benefits etcetera.
Brahmakumaris organization: An organization with which an MoU was signed during the event for promoting intergenerational bonding and overall wellbeing of senior citizens.
MWPSC Act: A legislation or act by the government aimed at the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens.
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): An initiative under which assistive devices were distributed to eligible senior citizens for their health and mobility needs.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
President of India launches Key Initiatives for Senior
Citizens at ‘Ageing with Dignity’ Event at Rashtrapati
Bhawan today
Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced an event ‘Ageing with Dignity - Initiatives for the
Welfare of Senior Citizens’, at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre today (Rashtrapati Bhawan Press
Release: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2126092). The event organised by the Union
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment witnessed the launch of the senior citizens welfare portal, the
virtual inauguration of senior citizens homes, the distribution of Aids and Assistive devices and the signing
of an MoU between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Brahmakumaris organization. It
brought together senior citizens, social organisations, school children, and spiritual leaders to reaffirm India's
traditional ethos of respecting and honouring the elderly.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar,
stated that policies are rooted in the values of respect and empathy for the elderly. The launch of the Senior
Citizen Welfare Portal and the inauguration of senior citizen homes reflect the government’s strong
commitment to inclusive development and active ageing. The event aimed at fostering an inclusive society
for the senior citizens. It acknowledged the contribution of senior citizens, need for creating an inclusive
environment, wisdom and experience bringing together diverse voices and spiritual leaders for the
intergenerational bonding and welfare of our senior citizens. Other dignitaries gracing the event included
Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Ramdas Athawale and Shri B.L. Verma.The day began with an inspiring interaction between the President and ‘Unsung Heroes’, who have made
selfless contributions to the nation across diverse fields—education, social reform, sports, arts and literature,
history and community service. Some of the unsung heroes included the Padma Awardees. Their life stories
and commitment to service inspired all present and underscored the quiet strength of India’s elderly
population.
A pledge was administered involving students, officials from Department, President Secretariat and other
invitees symbolising intergenerational bonding and solidarity and the nation’s commitment to safeguarding
the rights and dignity of senior citizens. The pledge serves as a reminder of the values of empathy, respect,
and responsibility towards the elderly.A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Senior Citizen Welfare Portal by the President of
India. The portal is envisioned as a comprehensive digital platform aimed at empowering elderly citizens
through seamless access to government schemes, healthcare benefits, welfare services, and updates on
relevant events. By bridging the information gap and promoting digital inclusion, it will enable senior
citizens to lead more informed, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Further strengthening the support ecosystem for the elderly, the President also virtually inaugurated five
new Senior Citizen Homes located in Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Wokha (Nagaland), Vellore (Tamil
Nadu), Anakapalli (Andhra Pradesh), and Nainital (Uttarakhand). These facilities, supported under the
Ministry’s programme aligned with the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC)
Act, are designed to provide safe, nurturing, and dignified living environments for indigent senior citizens
across the country.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, an MoU with the Brahma Kumaris was signed, reaffirming a
collective commitment to inter-generational bonding, overall wellbeing and creating an inclusive society for
the senior citizens. With decades of experience in fostering emotional balance and inner peace, the Brahma
Kumaris will promote and conduct programmes on mental health, mindfulness, and spiritual enrichment for
younger and older generations.Another major highlight was the distribution of Aids and Assistive Devices under the Rashtriya Vayoshri
Yojana (RVY). The President handed over assistive items to eligible senior citizens, reaffirming the
government's resolve to address the health and mobility needs of the elderly. The event also highlighted the
significance of preserving traditional knowledge, intergenerational values, and cultural continuity. Speakers
emphasized that ‘active ageing’ is not just about physical well-being but also about emotional engagement,
community participation, and mental enrichment.
The event served as a platform to highlight the Government of India’s continued commitment to the welfare
and empowerment of senior citizens. Through focused policy interventions, digital initiatives, and
community-based support, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reiterates its dedication to
ensuring that senior citizens across the country lead lives marked by dignity, security, and active
participation in society.
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VM
(Release ID: 2126125)