Chennai , 09 June (H.S.):BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to establish a comprehensive support system for senior citizens following the alleged suicide of three elderly persons in Namakkal district, reportedly driven by old age, loneliness and lack of support.

Describing the incident as deeply distressing, Tamilisai said the tragedy highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by many elderly people who live alone or without adequate family and social care. She appealed to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to identify senior citizens who are isolated, vulnerable or lacking support and ensure they receive the assistance needed to lead a dignified life.

She said the State government should strengthen welfare mechanisms by providing safe shelter, nutritious food, timely medical care and emotional support to elderly persons in need. According to her, proactive intervention and a robust support network are essential to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Tamilisai stressed that the welfare of senior citizens should be treated as a priority, particularly at a time when the ageing population is increasing and many elderly people face social isolation and financial insecurity. She called on the government to take immediate steps to expand and strengthen existing welfare programmes for senior citizens across the State.

Highlighting measures taken by the Centre, she referred to the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure food security for vulnerable sections of society. She also pointed to initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access for senior citizens, including expanded health insurance coverage for people above 70 years of age.

Stating that caring for the elderly is a shared responsibility, Tamilisai said governments, families and society must work together to ensure senior citizens live with dignity, security and emotional well-being. She called for collective efforts to build a stronger safety net for elderly citizens and prevent them from being left vulnerable and unsupported.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman