Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar today launched the ‘Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan’, a National Intergenerational Bonding Campaign, under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana in New Delhi. The initiative is aimed at strengthening intergenerational solidarity and promoting a society that recognises and values the experience, wisdom and contributions of senior citizens.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Kumar described the campaign as the blend of experience and energy, bringing together the experience of senior citizens and the energy of younger generations. He highlighted that country’s population aged sixty years and above is projected to increase from approximately ten crore in the year 2011 to twenty three crore by the year 2036. The Minister said that urbanisation, migration and changing family structures have reduced regular interaction between generations. He added that this has resulted in challenges such as loneliness, limited awareness of welfare schemes and vulnerability to cyber fraud among senior citizens. Dr Kumar said the campaign launched today reinforces the message that the welfare, dignity and inclusion of senior citizens are not merely governmental responsibilities but a shared social commitment. He said that the campaign will reach every village and mohalla through Panchayats, local bodies and educational institutions.
