On October 3, 2019 the president of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented “Vayoshreshtha Samman – 2019” awards in New Delhi, as an honour to senior citizens and institutions for their services towards the cause of the elderly persons to mark the October 1 annual commemoration of ‘International Day of Older Persons’, at a function organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment presided by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot.
Key points
- Vayoshreshtha Samman: Instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, this scheme of awards gradually upgraded to National Awards status, for institutions. The Awards are given to institutions /organisations/individuals from any part of the country with nominees invited from governmental as well as non-Governmental Agencies like National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) etc.
- The award is felicitated with the aim of strengthening older people’s legitimate place in the society
- Two years ago, the social justice ministry also started “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana” which provides physical aids and assistive living devices like a wheelchair, support sticks etc to elderly people of Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
Institutional category awards:
A total of 6 awards were given under the institutional category. They are as follows
| Category | Institution | Awarded for | Award details |
| Best Institution for Research in the field of Ageing | Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), New Delhi | The award is given to institutions having outstanding record work in research and dissemination of knowledge in the field of ageing. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.5 lakhs |
| Best Institution for providing services to Senior Citizens and Awareness Generation | Gandhi Bhawan International Trust, Kollam, Kerala. | The institutions are awarded for providing services to the elderly, especially indigent senior citizens | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.5 lakhs. |
| Best District Panchayat in providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens | District Panchayat, Panna, Madhya Pradesh | The award is given to the district Panchayats, that does outstanding work for senior citizens. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.10 lakhs. |
| Best Urban Local Body in providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens | Municipal Council, Unhel, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | The award is given to municipal bodies, which have done outstanding work for senior citizens | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.10 lakhs. |
| Best State in implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens | Tamil Nadu | The award is given to the State or Union Territories that lead in implementing various provisions of the Act and has the highest percentage of the settlement of claims of maintenance or best security programme for the elderly. | The award carries a Citation and a Memento. |
| Best Public Sector Organisation in promoting the wellbeing and welfare of Senior Citizens | Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | The award is given to Public Sector Undertakings for undertaking service to the community through activities under corporate social responsibility and also through programmes for retired employees | The award carries a Citation and a Memento. |
Individual category:
A total of 6 awards were given under the individual category and are as follows
| Category | Awarded to | Awarded for | Award details |
| Centenarian Award | Shri Ishwar chandra Chintamani(93 years) | Awarded to individuals above ninety years and are still physically active, independent and contributing to the society | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.2.5 lakhs. |
| Iconic Mother Award | Ms. Sharada Yashwant Date & Ms. Urmila Sharma | Awarded to women senior citizens who in the face of great odds, brought up their children and supported them in being high achievers in the field of their choice. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.2.5 lakhs. |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Shri Chhajuram Sharma | Awarded to senior citizens, preferably above seventy years, who have worked in the field of ageing and made significant contribution in the field. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.2.5 lakhs. |
| Creative Art Award | Ms. Eli Ahmad | Awarded to national /international acclaim for their contribution in literature, theatre, cinema, music, dance, painting, sculpture, photography, etc. and who continue to be active in their field well into their old age. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.2.5 lakhs. |
| Sports and Adventure Award (one each for Male and Female) | Ms. AnandiniDarjee & Shri. Hardev Singh | Awarded to senior citizens who have won international acclaim and still continue to contribute in the field of sports and adventure. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.2.5 lakhs |
| Courage & Bravery Award (one each for Male and Female) | Dr. (Smt.) Shashi Trivedi & Shri Prem Singh. | Awarded to senior citizens who have displayed extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger. | The award carries a citation, memento and a cash award of Rs.2.5 lakhs |
About Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment:
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Minister of State (MoS)- Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar.
Secretary- Neelam Sawhney.
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