Highlighting the need to safeguard the rights of the greying population and bring about a piece of legislation to protect their interests, ‘Vayojana Sangamam 2013’ was held here the other day.
The programme was organised under the aegis of House of Providence, HelpAge India, a non governmental organisation, and Nayarambalam grama panchayat.
Joby Varghese, Nayarambalam grama panchayat member, initiated the programme by hoisting the flag. Various sports and games events were organised for the elderly, in which around 200 people took part.
The events were followed by a symposium about the rights of older population. Family court counsellor G S Prateep was the moderator. Adv Suban Paul and Adv Sudeepa Thomas presented the subject in the symposium.
Rev Francis Kallarackal, Archbishop of Verapoly diocese, inaugurated the public meeting held after the symposium. He said that the elderly people are not alone in this world.
“There are good people, responsible officials and immense opportunities around them to make their life all the more alluring,” he said.
K A Jaleel, Additional Advocate General, Kerala High Court, presided over the meeting. Nayarambalam grama panchayat president Taji Roy, actor Harishree Asokan, panchayat member Xavi Thannipalli, HelpAge India ( Kerala in charge ) Biju Mathew, councillor Leno Jacob and Sr Mary Paul, director, House of Providence, spoke on the occasion.