RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh’s culture and civilization has ingrained character to give respect to elders. The practice of living in a collective family is better in the state than in other states, said Social Welfare Minister Anila Bhendia on Saturday.

She was addressing the state level felicitation ceremony organized by the Social Welfare Department at Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja, here to mark the ‘International Day of Older Persons’.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced the commencement of a ‘Helpline’ facility for senior citizens to start from November 1, the foundation day of the state. It would assist elderly persons whose children are working in other parts of the country or abroad. The elderly persons can call the Helpline in case of a medical emergency. The administration will provide them necessary care, she said.

Minister said the state government is making all arrangements from food to drink to shelter, medical assistance for the destitute elderly.

16 elders including Sufi singer Padma Shri Madan Chauhan and social worker Padma Shri Shamshad Begum were honored with shawls, shriphal and insignia for their contribution towards the society. A magazine ‘Sangyan’ (Cognition) published by Senior Citizen Welfare Forum was released. All the elder people having arrived from different districts were honoured with ‘Shriphal’, shawl and walking stick.

State Assembly Speaker Dr Charandas Mahant said the first responsibility towards the elderly rests with their children as well as the entire society. Intimacy and respect for the elderly is the biggest need, the youth will have to think on this line.

Chairperson, Chhattisgarh Yoga Commission Gyanesh Sharma said nuclear family concept has affected the elderly people. Apart from it, materialism is disintegrating the social fabric of society.