By IANS,
New Delhi : Eight eminent senior citizens including national tennis champion Sumant Misra, cabinet secretary B.G. Deshmukh and prominent Bharatanatyam exponent Saroja Vaidyananthan were conferred the Vayoshrestha awards by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar here Monday.
The Vayoshrestha awards are given by the ministry annually in recognition of the exemplary contribution of senior citizens in various fields and to institutions working for the welfare of the elderly.
Started in 2005, the awards this year included eight categories for lifetime achievement, centenarian, creative art, sports person, best mother, institutional service and best panchayat.
Kochuparambil Mylen Sarada, 85, a mother of eight – one of them being India’s Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan – was given the award for best mother.
The Thirurangadi block panchayat in Kerala’s Mallapuram district was awarded the best panchayat for its service to the elderly – providing them specialized medical services counselling and support.