3 october, raipur,To mark the International Day of Older Persons, MY Bharat Raipur, under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, organized a three-day volunteer engagement program across senior citizen care homes in the city. More than 30 volunteers from MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme (NSS) actively participated, reaching out to over 60 elderly residents at Chitvan Happy Home, Prashamak Dekh-Rekh Grih, and Manohar Jeevan Kalyan Vridha Niwas.Speaking on the occasion, Arpit Tiwari, Deputy Director of MY Bharat, explained that the initiative was designed to give young people a structured opportunity to serve in senior citizens’ care homes. He emphasized that the program sought to enhance the emotional well-being of elderly residents through companionship, recreational and cultural activities, while also fostering mutual respect and intergenerational learning between youth and the older generation. He added that the engagement was not a one-time event but a step toward developing a sustainable, district-level framework for volunteerism that can be scaled and replicated.Over the course of three days, volunteers immersed themselves in a wide range of activities — from warm conversations and listening to residents’ life stories, to helping them navigate mobile phones and video calls, assisting in cultural celebrations, and leading recreational games, music, and creative crafts. They also collaborated in hygiene and wellness awareness sessions facilitated by staff and documented memories and reflections through creative writing and group discussions. The initiative concluded with a collective reflection exercise, where volunteers shared their learnings and personal growth from the experience.Sunita Chansoriya, Programme Officer of NSS at Durga College, highlighted the importance of such efforts, stating, “It is vital for young people to spend time in these institutions, connect with the older generation, and learn from their experiences. Compassion for our elders is not only a moral value but also a civic duty.” Ratri Lahiri from gurukul college was also present in the program.The outcomes of the program were significant. For the elderly, it brought companionship, joy, and greater social interaction, contributing positively to their emotional well-being. For the youth, it was a lesson in empathy, discipline, and civic responsibility, shaping them as more conscious and engaged citizens. Most importantly, the program laid the foundation for creating a structured mechanism at the district level to sustain such volunteer-driven initiatives, ensuring that intergenerational bonds continue to thrive in the years ahead.
