Press Release
Press Release from WCSCDW Department, Pakyong District
Information & Public Relations Department
Intergenerational Bonding and Awareness Programme for Senior Citizens Organised Under Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana.
The Women, Child, Senior Citizens and Divyangjan Welfare & Development Department (WCSCDWD), Pakyong District, organised a day-long programme for senior citizens and younger generations at Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Pacheykhani, under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
The programme aimed to promote active ageing, digital and financial literacy among senior citizens, and strengthen intergenerational bonding by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, skills, traditions and experiences between older and younger generations.
Mrs. Dikit Lepcha, Deputy Director cum-SWO, WCSC&DWD, Pakyong, addressed the gathering and highlighted the objectives of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana. She emphasised the importance of ensuring dignity, active participation and social inclusion of senior citizens. She also encouraged younger generations to respect and learn from the wisdom, traditional knowledge, customs and cultural values of the elderly, while helping them adapt to the changing digital world.
The programme featured a series of interactive and recreational activities. School students presented colourful cultural dances and group songs as a gesture of respect and appreciation towards the senior citizens. A yoga session was also organised to highlight the importance of physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy ageing.
Interactive games, including the passing-the-ball activity, brought senior citizens and schoolchildren together, creating an atmosphere of joy, participation and friendship. These activities provided an opportunity for the two generations to interact, share experiences and build meaningful connections.
A key highlight of the programme was an informative session on digital literacy and safe digital banking conducted by the Resource person,Mr. Mahindra Das Pradhan, Manager, IDBI Bank. He sensitised senior citizens on the safe use of smartphones, online banking, UPI-based payment applications such as Google Pay and PhonePe, and other digital financial services. He also cautioned them about increasing cyber frauds targeting elderly persons, particularly through fraudulent links on social media platforms such as Facebook. He advised participants not to click on suspicious links, share OTPs, PINs or banking credentials, or allow unknown persons to access their phones or personal information. The session equipped participants with practical knowledge to identify and prevent online financial fraud.
Ms.Ninday Lhamu Lepcha from the Hub Division spoke on financial literacy, highlighting the importance of financial awareness, responsible money management, savings and making informed financial decisions, particularly among senior citizens.
Adding a special touch to the intergenerational learning experience, Mr. Devi Prashad Khatiwara, a senior citizen, engaged the young children through an interesting storytelling session. His stories offered valuable lessons and demonstrated how the experiences and wisdom of older generations can positively influence young minds.
A joint yoga session was organised with the active participation of both schoolchildren and senior citizens. The session encouraged both generations to practise yoga together, highlighting the importance of physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy ageing. It also provided an opportunity for the younger and older generations to learn and participate alongside one another, strengthening intergenerational bonding.
The programme also featured a Pre-Tihar celebration, providing an opportunity for senior citizens to share traditional values, customs and cultural practices associated with the festival with the younger generation. The celebration reinforced the importance of preserving cultural heritage and passing traditional knowledge from one generation to another.
Prizes were distributed to the winners and participants of various activities in recognition of their enthusiasm and active participation.
Mr.Sukdev Bhandhari, Principal of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, expressed his gratitude to the Department for organising such an insightful and meaningful programme. He appreciated the initiative for bringing together senior citizens and schoolchildren and providing a platform for learning, interaction and mutual understanding.
The programme was compered by Mr. Sisir Ghimirey, Social Welfare Inspector, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Chewang Cheden Bhutia, SWI, WCSCDWD, Pakyong.
The programme concluded on a positive note, reaffirming the importance of bridging the generational gap through mutual learning, respect, digital empowerment and preservation of traditional values. It also highlighted that senior citizens are not merely recipients of care but valuable contributors to society whose knowledge, experience and wisdom remain essential for shaping a responsible and culturally rooted younger generation.
The Women, Child, Senior Citizens and Divyangjan Welfare & Development Department (WCSCDWD), Pakyong District, organised a day-long programme for senior citizens and younger generations at Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Pacheykhani, under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
The programme aimed to promote active ageing, digital and financial literacy among senior citizens, and strengthen intergenerational bonding by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, skills, traditions and experiences between older and younger generations.
Mrs. Dikit Lepcha, Deputy Director cum-SWO, WCSC&DWD, Pakyong, addressed the gathering and highlighted the objectives of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana. She emphasised the importance of ensuring dignity, active participation and social inclusion of senior citizens. She also encouraged younger generations to respect and learn from the wisdom, traditional knowledge, customs and cultural values of the elderly, while helping them adapt to the changing digital world.
The programme featured a series of interactive and recreational activities. School students presented colourful cultural dances and group songs as a gesture of respect and appreciation towards the senior citizens. A yoga session was also organised to highlight the importance of physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy ageing.
Interactive games, including the passing-the-ball activity, brought senior citizens and schoolchildren together, creating an atmosphere of joy, participation and friendship. These activities provided an opportunity for the two generations to interact, share experiences and build meaningful connections.
A key highlight of the programme was an informative session on digital literacy and safe digital banking conducted by the Resource person,Mr. Mahindra Das Pradhan, Manager, IDBI Bank. He sensitised senior citizens on the safe use of smartphones, online banking, UPI-based payment applications such as Google Pay and PhonePe, and other digital financial services. He also cautioned them about increasing cyber frauds targeting elderly persons, particularly through fraudulent links on social media platforms such as Facebook. He advised participants not to click on suspicious links, share OTPs, PINs or banking credentials, or allow unknown persons to access their phones or personal information. The session equipped participants with practical knowledge to identify and prevent online financial fraud.
Ms.Ninday Lhamu Lepcha from the Hub Division spoke on financial literacy, highlighting the importance of financial awareness, responsible money management, savings and making informed financial decisions, particularly among senior citizens.
Adding a special touch to the intergenerational learning experience, Mr. Devi Prashad Khatiwara, a senior citizen, engaged the young children through an interesting storytelling session. His stories offered valuable lessons and demonstrated how the experiences and wisdom of older generations can positively influence young minds.
A joint yoga session was organised with the active participation of both schoolchildren and senior citizens. The session encouraged both generations to practise yoga together, highlighting the importance of physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy ageing. It also provided an opportunity for the younger and older generations to learn and participate alongside one another, strengthening intergenerational bonding.
The programme also featured a Pre-Tihar celebration, providing an opportunity for senior citizens to share traditional values, customs and cultural practices associated with the festival with the younger generation. The celebration reinforced the importance of preserving cultural heritage and passing traditional knowledge from one generation to another.
Prizes were distributed to the winners and participants of various activities in recognition of their enthusiasm and active participation.
Mr.Sukdev Bhandhari, Principal of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, expressed his gratitude to the Department for organising such an insightful and meaningful programme. He appreciated the initiative for bringing together senior citizens and schoolchildren and providing a platform for learning, interaction and mutual understanding.
The programme was compered by Mr. Sisir Ghimirey, Social Welfare Inspector, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Chewang Cheden Bhutia, SWI, WCSCDWD, Pakyong.
The programme concluded on a positive note, reaffirming the importance of bridging the generational gap through mutual learning, respect, digital empowerment and preservation of traditional values. It also highlighted that senior citizens are not merely recipients of care but valuable contributors to society whose knowledge, experience and wisdom remain essential for shaping a responsible and culturally rooted younger generation.
