Reinforcing the importance of elder care, CM Sai remarked, \u201cMy Guru has taught me that serving one\u2019s parents is worshipping God. I have always followed these values, and this day reminds us that the stage of life today\u2019s elderly are in will one day be ours too.\u201d He urged families and communities to extend respect, affection, and support to senior citizens while also ensuring that government schemes reach them effectively.<\/p>\n The Chief Minister flagged off 25 Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan<\/em> awareness vans on the occasion, symbolizing the government\u2019s resolve to fight substance abuse alongside improving welfare services.<\/p>\n Highlighting the reach of existing schemes, CM Sai informed that over 14 lakh senior citizens in Chhattisgarh are receiving benefits under pension programs, while 8 lakh have availed free medical facilities under Ayushman Bharat and Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Health Assistance Scheme. More than 50,000 elderly beneficiaries have also undertaken pilgrimages through the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana<\/em> and the Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana<\/em>.<\/p>\n Social Welfare Minister Laxmi Rajwade added that the state currently operates 35 old-age homes, accommodating over 1,000 residents, while six districts have functional palliative care centres. Through a special departmental helpline, over 54,000 issues faced by senior citizens have been addressed.<\/p>\n The programme was attended by Minister Tankram Verma, MP Brijmohan Agrawal, MLA Rajesh Munat, Motilal Sahu, Indra Kumar Sahu, Anuj Sharma, and Lokesh Kawadia, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Nishaktjan Finance and Development Corporation, alongside several senior officials, social workers, and eminent citizens.<\/p>\n MoU with Ease My Trip under Paryatan Sathi Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n Adding a tourism dimension to the day\u2019s proceedings, an MoU was signed between the Raipur District Administration and Ease My Trip under the Paryatan Sathi<\/em> initiative. CM Sai praised the effort, calling it a step towards empowering youth while boosting Chhattisgarh\u2019s tourism industry. Under this programme, young people will be trained as professional tour guides at ITI Saddu. Each batch will include 50 trainees, and the course will be completed within three months.<\/p>\n The Chief Minister said the initiative will create new employment opportunities for youth while enhancing the tourism experience in the state.<\/p>\n With these announcements, Chhattisgarh positioned itself as a state not only committed to protecting the elderly but also forward-looking in creating opportunities for its youth, symbolizing a balance of tradition and progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CM Vishnu Deo Sai unveils \u2018Siyan Gudi\u2019, modern old-age homes, and special service centre for senior citizens<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116,118,117],"tags":[647],"class_list":["post-3855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-chhattishgarh","category-state","tag-siyan-gudi"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefrontpage24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_1406-1024x576.jpeg\")