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Senior citizens' council doing yeoman's service
Rama Devi of Bijheri area was going to get milk for her child, who was under treatment at a hospital here, when she saw a group of people entering the hospital with breakfast and milk.
Rama Devi of Bijheri area was going to get milk for her child, who was under treatment at a hospital here, when she saw a group of people entering the hospital with breakfast and milk.
She didn't need to go to market as the Hamirpur Senior Citizens' Council, the organisation to which the group belonged, provided her with milk.
This is the story of the council that has been serving people for the past two decades in the district. Led by Gian Chand Sharma, a former president of the Hamirpur district consumers' federation, the council helps the needy by providing them with free meals to patients and their attendants three times a day. The meals include 'dalia', milk and 'khichri'. They have a kitchen near the zonal hospital here.
"We serve nearly 300 people free of cost. Initially, we used to distribute 'dalia'. Now, it has become a fully fledged diet in due course of time," Sharma said.
The council took shape when he saw attendants of patients buying substandard food from outside the hospital. Sharma discussed the matter with his friends and they decided to form the council. It held discussions with the district administration and a decision was taken to hand over the kitchen to the council.
The council has nearly 50 members and they contribute about Rs 1,000 per month. In addition, there are nearly 5,000 donors that contribute money to the council.
"The council has a 'bal ashram' (children's home) near the hospital where destitute children are provided with accommodation and free boarding and lodging. The children study in schools and colleges here and most of them have secured jobs in government and private sectors. They also contribute to the council," Sharma said.
Pandit Bakshi Ram of Gaura village in the district had donated 2 kanals for the children's home at a time when prices of land had risen considerably, he said.
