The senior citizens of Jamtara district in Jharkhand are soon going to have a place of their own to spend some quality time in each other’s company. They can soon be regulars at the elderly clubs being opened especially for them by the district administration and have some good relaxing times together.
After the success of its community libraries project, the Jamtara district administration has now started a special initiative for its senior citizens. Using the same concept of converting old, dilapidated buildings into community centres, Deputy Commissioner Jamtara, Mr. Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz, is now opening elderly clubs or recreational centres for senior citizens in all the six blocks of the district.
OLD AGE ISSUES
With growing age, people start developing various health related issues as well. Like any other city in India, there were cases of old people suffering from depression and other mental health issues in Jamtara, too. This was not a good indicator, so the officer felt the need to do something for the recreation of the elderly to keep them engaged and happy. He said, “I wanted to start a place for the senior citizen where they can enjoy and live a productive and fruitful life.”
Mr. Ahmed thought of following the same principal of community libraries again this time and utilize the unused and abandoned government buildings to renovate and refurbish them into clubs for the elderly. He believes that a lot of the taxpayers’ money go into the construction of these buildings which are lying vacant in the district, and hence, they basically belong to the public. Therefore, he preferred to reuse them for the benefit of the common people.
SIX RECREATIONAL CLUBS
Just like they built 118 libraries in a year’s time, similarly, the district administration took no time in setting up six elderly clubs in all the blocks of the district – Nala, Fathepur, Jamtara, Narayanpur, Karmatand and Kundhit.
The groundwork for the project started right after setting up of the community libraries. And now, the clubs will start running soon with community ownership. The administration will constitute a management committee from among the local people to run the clubs.
The local Block Development Officer has been appointed as the ex-officio member of the committee and instructions have been given to the local community to run the place in a very healthy and lively manner.
The elderly club includes indoor games like carrom, chess, ludo, cards etc. so that the senior citizens can have a good time. Mr. Ahmed said, “Regular checkups will be conducted in these clubs and the elderly people will also practice yoga and other physical exercise to remain fit and healthy.”
By his community initiatives, the officer is reaching out to all kinds of people in society, be it children or senior citizens. The city which was once known for all kinds of bad deeds is now fast gaining a name for its innovative and creative development.
