Shillong, April 11: The state government is exploring ways and means to establish homes for the elderly in collaboration various institutions across the state, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Saturday.
The objective of setting up such homes is to ensure active and happy aging for the elderly, he said after inaugurating Nabon Memorial Home, an initiative of Jingiaseng Kynthei Shillong Ri Lum Presbytery, at Mawiong Rim, Shillong.
“I am very keen to see how we can have these active aging centres and how we can collaborate with institutions like Nabon Memorial Home for the benefit of our elderly and senior citizens,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister also lauded naming of the home after the first Christian woman among the Khasis.
Calling it a meaningful step, he said, “It reflects not only the acceptance of Christianity but living the Christian life everyday, reflecting the values of service and support to the needy.”
“This basic aspect of Christianity is reflected in the name and the building that we have inaugurated,” he added.
Further elaborating, the Chief Minister said the anganwadi centre will have an important and active part in the operation of the active raging centres.
“Anganwadi centres are crucial for the development of a child…A key player in the Mission1000 Days, these anganwadi centres can be facilitators for the engagement between the children and the elderly,” he said.
He said the engagement between the young and the old will create a happy environment in the society.
“The young children will learn to engage with the elders and respect them and the elders can teach the young the values of life and emotionally connect with them,” he added.
He also informed that these centres will be inter-generational spaces; vibrant hubs where our seniors and our children come together.
Mentioning that tribal communities and society have always taken care of the elders, he said, “But somewhere because of modernisation, urbanisation and other factors, we have deviated from this practice and as a community, society, church and as a government we all need to address this issue.”
