Raipur, October 01, 2025/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that the elderly are our guides and bearers of invaluable culture. Taking care of the elderly is a shared responsibility of both the government and society. The central and state governments are constantly strengthening dedicated schemes for the pension, health, social security and dignified life of senior citizens. The Chief Minister was addressing the state level event of International Elderly Day as the chief guest at the Agriculture Mandapam located in the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University campus in the capital Raipur today.
The Chief Minister honored the elderly by presenting shawls and shrifal in the program. On this occasion, he announced the establishment of Siyan Gudi in the state for the special care of the elderly, all-facility old age homes on PPP model in four major cities of the state, Raipur, Bilaspur Korba and Durg, and a service center in the capital Raipur for repairing the assistive devices of the disabled. Shri Sai flagged off 25 de-addiction chariots across the state for awareness under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Chhattisgarhi folk songs and dance performances were presented in the program and a health check-up camp was also organized.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Elderly Day is an opportunity to remind us of our responsibilities. My guru has taught me that serving parents is worshiping God. I have always followed the values and ideals of my guru. Shri Sai said that we should all not forget the fact that today our elders are in the same condition, tomorrow we will all be in the same condition. Chief Minister Shri Sai and the guests appealed to the public to respect the elderly and cooperate in getting them the benefits of the government’s schemes, so that their lives can become more secure, dignified and happy.
The Chief Minister said that 14 lakh elderly people are benefiting from the pension schemes being run for the elderly in the state. Under Ayushman Bharat and Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Health Assistance Scheme, more than 8 lakh elderly people have been provided free medical facilities so far. More than 50 thousand elderly people have benefited from the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme and Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana. Social Welfare Minister Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade said that 1049 senior citizens are being taken care of in 35 old age homes of the state and palliative care homes are being operated in 6 districts. More than 54 thousand senior citizens’ problems have been solved through the departmental helpline.
On this occasion, Minister Shri Tankram Verma, MP Shri Brijmohan Agarwal, MLA Shri Rajesh Munat, Shri Motilal Sahu, Shri Indra Kumar Sahu, Shri Anuj Sharma, Chhattisgarh Disabled Persons Finance Development Corporation Chairman Shri Lokesh Kavdia along with many public representatives, dignitaries and senior administrative officers were present.
Tourism Saathi Initiative: MoU between District Administration Raipur and Ease My Trip
An MoU was signed between Ease My Trip and the District Administration for the Tourism Saathi initiative in the program. The Chief Minister congratulated the team of the District Administration for this special initiative and said that new employment opportunities will open up for the youth and tourism will be promoted. Under the Tourism Saathi initiative, youth will be trained as tour guides in ITI Saddu. 50 youths will be included in each batch of the training program and the training will be completed in three months.