The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred the “Vayoshreshtha Samman” to eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of elderly persons.
There is a healthy tradition of respecting and taking care of elders in our country.
According to the last census, the population of senior citizens in our country was approximately 10.5 crore, which was about 8.5% of our total population.
The average life expectancy has increased in recent decades due to improvement in health services and other reasons.
It is estimated that by the year 2050, the number of senior citizens will be approximately 19% of our total population.
National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly wherein specialised services will be provided for their treatment is operational.
Under the National Health Insurance Scheme implemented with the help of State Governments, additional health insurance is being provided.
National Award ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ will help to motivate younger generations to understand the contribution of the elderly persons in building of the society and the nation.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as the nodal ministry for the cause of senior citizens, has been celebrating the International day of Older Persons since 2005 by conferring Vayoshreshtha Sammans to eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens.
In 2013, the Vayoshreshtha Sammans have been upgraded as a “National Award”.
The National Award ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ is given in thirteen categories.
The applications had been invited from NGOs, institutions, individuals to apply for the awards in different categories.
This year Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment honoured 22 awardees under 11 categories
| Category |
Name |
|---|
| Centenarian | Sh. Chemanchery Kunhiraman Nair, Kozhikode, Kerala. |
| Centenarian | Mrs. Arvinda Vishnukant Dave "Akshat", Vadodara, Gujarat. |
| Centenarian | Sh. Thanga Darlong, Kailashahar, Unakoti, Tripura. |
| Centenarian | Late Shri Kishan Chand Garg (Posthumous). Received by Dr. V.K. Garg on behalf of his Late father, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. |
| Iconic Mother | Smt. Kaushalya Joshi, Jalandhar, Punjab. |
| Lifetime Achievement | Dr. Parvatidevi Patil, Gulbarga, Karnataka. |
| Lifetime Achievement | Dr. Mahadeorao Jyotiramji Meshram, Nagpur, Maharashtra. |
| Creative Art | Shri Yumnam Rajendra Singh, Imphal, Manipur. |
| Creative Art | Sh. B.Shankara Rao, Bangalore, Karnataka. |
| Creative Art | Shri S. Thippeswamy, Mysuru, Karnataka. |
| Creative Art | Smt. Mangal Ramchandra Bansode, Satara, Karawadi, Maharashtra. |
| Creative Art | Dr. Dolly Das, Dibrugarh, Assam. |
| Sports and Adventure | Sh. G.S. Sandhu, Patiala, Punjab. |
| Sports and Adventure | Sh. Yogendra Vaidya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. |
| Sports and Adventure | Mrs. Manorama M. Kulkarni (Female), Kolhapur, Maharshtra. |
| Courage and Bravery | Dr. Aabha Verma, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. |
| Courage and Bravery | Shri Padmashri Shambu Nath Khajuria, Poonch, J&K. |
| Best Institution for providing Services to Senior Citizens and Awareness Generation | Varishth Nagrik Kesari Club, Delhi. Received by Ms. Kiran Chopra, Chairperson, Delhi. |
| Best District Panchayat in providing Services and Facilities to Senior Citizens | Ujjain (O/o Zila Panchayat). Received by Shri Sandeep G.R., CEO, Zila Panchayat, Ujjain, MP. |
| Best Urban Local Body in providing Services and Facilities to Senior Citizens | Nagar Palika, Nagda. Received by Shri Bhavishaya Kumar Khobraghade, Chief Municipal Officer, Municipal Council, Nagda, Madhya Pradesh. |
| Best State in implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. 2007 and providing Services and Facilities to Senior Citizens | State of Kerala. Received by Shri Biju Prabhakar, Secretary, Dept. of Social Justice, Govt. Secretariat, Trivandrum, Kerala. |
| Best Public Sector Organisation in promoting the well being and welfare of Senior Citizens. | Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. Received by CMD and General Manager (HR), BHEL. |
