The proposal to establish a day-care and recreation centre for senior citizens in Mysuru is yet to become a reality.
‘Hagalu Yogakshema’ had been proposed here, on the lines of a similar facility set up in cities like Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Hubballi-Dharwad, for elderly persons. Sources in the Directorate of Disabled and Senior Citizen Welfare here told The Hindu that the proposal had been sent to the directorate but there was no progress in the project.
Mysuru is reckoned to be a pensioners’ paradise and has a sizeable chunk of senior citizens. Therefore, the directorate thought of establishing the day-care and recreation centre for the benefit of elderly persons.
Many elderly citizens were found spending time at bus stops, parks or tea stalls in the absence of a suitable place to spend their post-retirement days.
The proposed centre will be run by an NGO chosen after several rounds of screening and the department will facilitate its functioning besides overall monitoring, the sources add.
Seven NGOs had come forward expressing their interest to run the proposed centre following the directorate’s request. “But, so far, there has been no word from the directorate,” the sources add.
The will be equipped with a library, an activity centre, television room, indoor games and other facilities. It was also proposed to serve snacks and tea once a day.
The directorate had also proposed to provide senior citizens materials for activities like painting.
