A ceremony was held, yesterday, in the context of Parents’ Day celebrations in the presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, at the Indra Restaurant in Domaine Les Pailles.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; the First Lady, Mrs Sayukta Roopun; the President of the Hindu House, Mrs Luxshmee Ramdhun Bundhun; the Chairman of the Senior Citizens Council, Mr Hanslall Seebaruth; the spouse of late Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Lady Sarojini Jugnauth; and other personalities were present.
The event was organised by the Hindu House in collaboration with the Senior Citizens Association and Indra Restaurant. Shawls were also distributed to senior citizens on the occasion.
Mr Roopun underlined that families have the important role of inculcating core values such as respect, love, honesty, peace and non-violence to their members from an early stage. These values, he added, bring out the fundamental goodness of human beings, society and the country at large.
Furthermore, the President stressed that the Government has at heart the welfare of the population and has come up with several measures in Budget 2023-24 to help families live a decent life such as free treatment for children suffering from cancer throughout their treatment; and an increase in pensions’ allowance.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo emphasised, are the repositories of values and traditions and with their rich life experiences, play an instrumental role by acting as guides for the new generation. Hence, ensuring their well-being and giving them their rights while bestowing them with the respect and consideration they deserve, remains at the core of the Government’s agenda, she added.
On this score, she underpinned that a series of key measures have been taken to ensure a decent and comfortable life for elders since 2014 up to the last budget 2023-24. She dwelt on some measures including the old age pension that has been increased to Rs 11,000 as from the 1st of July 2023, compared to only Rs 3,623 in 2014 and the increase in the number of social security doctors who do homely visits from 35 to some 330.
Furthermore, the Minister indicated that the CSG Disability Allowance of Rs 2,500 to cater for cases where the level of disability is between 40 to 59 % has been reviewed to assess the disability of individuals suffering from amputation, so that henceforth an individual who has been amputated or lost his or her arm, leg or hand shall benefit from the Basic Invalidity Pension of Rs 11,000.
Minister Jeewa-Daureewoo also spoke of other initiatives implemented for the welfare of the elderly such as the provision of grants for the purchase of assistive materials such as wheel chairs, hearing aids, and spectacles; free medical visits; the launching of a security app « Sekirite » for senior citizens and the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Strategic and Action Plan 2022-2026.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo underlined that senior citizens associations are important partners of the Government to help ensure that the elderly community benefits from an active aging and participates in social, cultural, educational and recreational activities to keep them physically and mentally fit. On this score, she expressed gratitude to the associations affiliated with the Senior Citizens Council that are active.
