A day-care and recreation centre for senior citizens has come up in Leh which was inaugurated by Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, Judge Supreme Court of India on October 7 in presence of Gita Mittal, Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir. 

This centre, co-sponsored by Government will be a stop-shop for entertainment, medical services and legal aid for the aged people of the region. Besides, District Legal Service Authority will also provide a raft of medical facilities including geriatric care, health consultations and check-ups, physiotherapy as well as legal service to the senior citizens.

Interestingly, the centre will be equipped with computer learning and a library and the aged citizens can entertain themselves with indoor games and recreational activities.

Justice Nazeer appreciated the initiatives of the State Legal Service Authority who came up with this concept for the senior citizens. 

“I feel immense pleasure in dedicating this facility to the senior citizens of this region. Opening a centre is comparatively easier than its sustainability; therefore, the local administration has a big responsibility to run this recreation centre in a meaningful way,” said Justice Nazeer. 

Greeting the senior citizens of Leh, Justice Mittal talked about the success story of ‘Swabhiman Parisar’ –a Centre for the welfare of senior citizens in Delhi which was opened on her initiative and said that similar centre was also opened in Srinagar and now in Leh with all those facilities. 

“This will be a place of cheerfulness where senior citizens can meet, share their experiences, discuss solutions to the social issues and guiding the society using their experiences and expertise in different fields”, she added.
 
She further said that in this fast-changing scenario, such centres are required for the elderly people to get answers to all their questions from a single window. Justice Mittal expressed gratitude to the district administration for their huge contribution in establishing and running the Centre.

Justice Tashi Rabstan highlighting the importance of this first-ever Day Care Recreation Centre for senior citizens of Ladakh said that the Centre will not only provide senior citizens recreational facilities but a platform where they can spend time together, share life experiences, read books, take part in recreational activities and play games. He urged the people to avail the facility and assured that the centre would be strengthened further with more facilities. He appreciated the active role of Saugat Biswas, Divisional Commissioner Ladakh in providing the space for this centre and appreciated prompt action in quickly preparing the building.

Justice Rajesh Bindal, Executive Chairman, J&K State Legal Service Authority said that with the dominance of information technology these days, the elderly people feel a sense of isolation. In such a situation, this centre will provide space and let them sit together so that they don’t feel isolated and ignored. 

Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner, Leh said that the centre would play a role of a game-changer in addressing the special needs of the senior citizens at their crucial point of life. This will provide a socializing environment for them. He assured that district administration would do its best to run the Centre in a well-organized way.

Akram Chaudhary, Member Secretary, J&K SLSA, Dr. Aabha Chaudhary, Resource Person, Ghulam Rasool Lassu and Padmashri awardee Morup Namgyal also spoke on the occasion. 

In the end, RS Jasrotia, Chairman, District Legal Service Authority,(Principal District & Session Judge Leh) presented the vote of thanks.