Surat: Personnel in khaki spread delight this Diwali by not only paying visits to senior citizens living alone and inquiring about their health and wellness, but brightening up their smiles with selfies too.
The city police’s novel initiative to take care of 1,624 senior citizens regularly will not remain confined to festivities alone, but continue with monthly visits and of course, another selfie!
The drive is likely to gain popularity especially when city confronts another lockdown-like situation.
The department has asked its personnel to carry out the agenda diligently and cause the elderlies minimum discomfort with prior appointments. Cops will arrange for supply of medicines besides offering their help to solve any other issues they may face. Police inspectors will hold a meeting with all the senior citizens in their respective areas once in three months.
“Cops are playing the role of family members in the real sense and this initiative has greater value during lockdown,” said Ashok Mistry, 69, who is assisting police in the initiative.
Before starting the programme, cops prepared a fresh list of senior citizens living alone in the city. “In most cases senior citizens do not have problems but they want someone to talk to. Looking at the photos I can say that the senior citizens were incredibly happy to see cops,” city police commissioner Ajay Tomar told TOI.
“Neighbours were initially surprised to see the police at the senior citizen’s home and inquired if anything went wrong. After knowing about the gesture neighbours assured police officers that they will take care of the elders regularly,” Tomar added.
Many senior citizens did not believe initially that police could actually do something like this.”I was initially shocked to see police and thought that some fraud had come. But the visit turned out to be a pleasant surprise,” said Bharti Mandlewala, 73, a resident of the Rupam Talkies area.
“I am very happy that the police have come to my home and asked if we needed anything. I offered them tea in return for their gesture,” smiles H R Shukla, a retired customs and excise superintendent.
BOX
Areas having highest senior citizens
Area - No. of elderlies
Adajan 344
Athwalines 166
Salabatpura 147
Mahidharpura 139
Khatodara 137
Rander 98