'Youth must take charge of senior citizens in Thane'

Thane: On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons that was observed on Saturday, Thane police commissioner Param Bir Singh urged the youth to take the responsibility of safeguarding senior citizens in their vicinities and even in their home.
While the Thane police, along with city-based Aalekh, a civil society organisation Veteran Citizens' Forum (VCF) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences-Centre for Lifelong Learning recently launched a campaign titled Kartavya, the police chief stressed on the need for the youth to get involved in this movement.
"Ensuring the safety, security and dignity of the elderly is our responsibility or Kartavya. It is our duty to ensure that this community, which has strengthened our roots, is treated with the dignity they deserve. However, over the years they have been ignored and ill-treated," Param Bir Singh told TOI.
"This movement needs active participation of the youth and citizen communities, who witness acts of violence and abuse against senior citizens. They should come forward and stand by the elders in times of need. They must also inform the authorities. We have started collating records of all senior citizens in Thane city and are providing them help with any medical, security or any other issue. With the cooperation of the youth, society management committees and other voluntary groups, we hope to take this movement to the entire district, the state and eventually the country," he added.
Meanwhile, the toll-free helpline number for senior citizens, 1090, has been receiving 20 to 25 calls daily.
"We receive all kinds of calls from the senior citizens right from seeking help to recharge their phone or calling just because they want to talk. Sometimes, its an emergency call like asking for an ambulance or for complaining against abusive relatives. We get around 20 to 25 calls on the helpline number and many more on the 100 number. During festivals, we receive 100 to 150 calls, most of which are to complain about the noise. We inform our beat marshal who reaches the location within minutes," a police official said.