The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is taking sustained measures to ensure the safety, health and social security of senior citizens, recognising them as an invaluable part of society. Reaffirming its commitment to protecting their dignity and well-being, the state has launched a comprehensive campaign titled “Our Elders, Our Pride,” under which more than 16,000 senior citizens have been registered through health check-up camps and connected with various welfare schemes.
Sharing details, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that ₹7.86 crore has been allocated under the Senior Citizen Action Plan for the financial year 2025–26 to organise health camps and implement welfare initiatives across the state.
She informed that during these camps, thousands of elderly citizens received medical and supportive services. A total of 4,543 individuals underwent general health check-ups, 2,071 received orthopaedic consultations and 3,705 had eye examinations. Additionally, 1,129 senior citizens participated in yoga sessions, 1,489 availed homeopathic treatment and 2,054 benefited from ayurvedic services, assistive devices and other essential facilities.
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Under the ALIMCO scheme, 243 senior citizens were registered, of whom 89 were provided with wheelchairs, spectacles and hearing aids. The Minister added that 355 old-age pension applications were processed and 393 senior citizen identity cards were issued during the camps.
Baljit Kaur: Health Camps Held Across Major Punjab Districts
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that health camps have already been conducted in several districts, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala, with similar camps scheduled soon in Faridkot and Sangrur.
She further stated that the district-level camps provided multiple services under one roof, such as cataract surgery referrals, free assistive devices, pension-related assistance, issuance of senior citizen cards, yoga sessions, legal awareness programmes and other welfare activities. As part of the initiative, 2,187 senior citizens were educated about the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
To promote active ageing and social engagement, the government also organised productive and inter-generational activities. Around 379 senior citizens participated in active ageing camps, while 140 took part in cultural and inter-generational programmes such as Giddha, Bhangra, poetry and theatre. Additionally, 1,841 elderly citizens enhanced their physical and mental well-being through yoga camps.
The Minister Baljit Kaur emphasised that caring for senior citizens is both a moral and social responsibility of the government and society. She appealed to families and communities to encourage elderly members to actively participate in these welfare initiatives to ensure their continued health, dignity and engagement in social life.