SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 20: A heart-warming inter-generational bonding gathering was organized by Social Welfare Department (SWD) at Shalimar, Srinagar, with a special focus on celebrating and empowering senior citizens in the community.
The three-day event was designed to honour the invaluable contributions of senior citizens while creating meaningful opportunities for interaction with children. It served as a vibrant platform where elderly participants shared their life experiences, cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and lifelong wisdom with the younger generation. Their stories of resilience, values, and lived history offered children a deeper understanding of their roots and strengthened the bond between generations.
The initiative highlighted the importance of senior citizens as custodians of culture, moral guidance, and community memory. By encouraging dialogue, storytelling, and collaborative activities, the programme promoted dignity, respect, and active ageing. It reinforced the message that senior citizens are not only recipients of care but also active contributors to society whose experiences and insights enrich younger minds.
The event unfolded into a spectacular celebration filled with colourful performances, laughter, and heartfelt interactions between senior citizens and children.
The programme featured knowledge-sharing sessions, skill and art exchanges, storytelling, and cultural performances. Senior citizens demonstrated traditional crafts, shared life lessons, and engaged in activities such as gardening and cooking alongside children. These hands-on experiences fostered cooperation, mutual learning, and appreciation for traditional practices.
On concluding day, Resources Persons of legal and social background sensitized senior citizens about rights and services available through various laws and schemes.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, District Social Welfare Officer, Srinagar attended the programme as the chief guest. In his address, he appreciated the enthusiasm and active participation of senior citizens and children alike. He emphasized the need to create more inclusive platforms that uphold the dignity, wellbeing, and social engagement of senior citizens, recognizing them as pillars of wisdom and strength within the community.
The event stood as a powerful reminder that when generation come together with respect and empathy, communities grow stronger, more compassionate, and deeply connected.
