Shillong, Apr 11: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, on Saturday stated that the tribal communities and society have always taken care of the elders.
“But somewhere because of modernisation, urbanisation and other factors we have deviated from this practice and as a community, society, church and as a government we all need to address this issue,” the Chief Minister said during the inauguration of the Nabon Memorial Home, an initiative of Jingiaseng Kynthei Shillong Ri Lum Presbytery, at Mawiong Rim, Shillong.
Thanking the Jingïaseng Kynthei for their unwavering fellowship and service he hoped the Nabon Memorial Home will stand as a beacon of hope reminding every citizen of Meghalaya that they are a people who care and honour elders.
Sangma, said that the home for the elderly named after the first Christian lady among the Khasis is very meaningful.
“It reflects not only the acceptance of Christianity but living the Christian life everyday reflecting the values of service and support to the needy and this basic aspect of Christianity is reflected in the name and the building that we have inaugurated,” he said.
The Chief Minister also informed that the government is in the process of establishing homes for the elderly in different parts of the state on the concept of having an active and happy aging for the elderly.
“I am very keen to see how we can have these active aging centres and how we can collaborate with institutions like the Nabon Memorial Home for the benefit of our elderly and senior citizens,” the Chief Minister said.
He further elaborated that the anganwadi centre will have have an important and active part in the operation of the centres.
“The anganwadi centres are crucial for the development of a child and a key player in the Mission1000 Days, these anganwadi centres can be facilitators for the engagement between the children and the elderly,” Sangma added.
He said that the engagement between the young and the old will create a happy environment in the society.
“The young children will learn to engage with the elders and respect them and the elders can teach the young the values of life and emotionally connect with them,” he added.
Sangma also informed that these centres will be inter-generational spaces; vibrant hubs where the seniors and children come together.
The Nabon Memorial Home aims to support women who are widowed, abandoned, or destitute—living in precarious conditions without adequate shelter or emotional support and the project is spearheaded by the Jingiaseng Kynthei Shillong Ri-Lum Presbytery.
The vision of the project is to create a safe, secure, inclusive and compassionate environment where women can age with dignity.
The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakhs from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund towards the Nabon Memorial Home.
