From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Oct 1: To mark the celebration of World Elders’ Day on Wednesday, October 1, the Siddaramaiah regime will be launching helplines for elders in 12 districts of Karnataka.

The helpline number is 1090.

Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree, who spoke to reporters on Tuesday, said district in-charge ministers would be launching the helplines in their respective districts.

The 12 districts in which the helplines are being launched are: Bangalore Rural, Chikballapur, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Haveri, Chamarajanagar, Udupi, Uttar Kannada, Koppal, Raichur, Yadgir, and Hassan.

Helpline desks would be established in the offices of Superintendent of Police in districts.

Helplines are already functioning in 14 districts.

The department is considering to launch helplines in Mandya, Kodagu, Gadag, and Ramanagaram districts soon, the minister said.

A sum of Rs 7.15 crore has been earmarked for maintenance helplines.

Awards to 6 Elders

The Minister said a programme has been organised at Ravindra Kalakeshtra on Wednesday and six elderly persons and a Senior Citizens Forum of Madikeri would be presented awards by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The award winners are: S. Shankaranarayana Acharya (Kolar -art); Hanumanthaya Mannappa Poojara, retired teacher (Bijapur -education); M G Krishnamurthy, freedom fighter and ayurvedic practitioner (Mysore-social welfare); Yamanuresh Biradar (Yadgir-literature), Pramila Nagaraju (Bangalore – Sports); Leela R Hiremath (Dharwad-law).

The award carries cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each.

There are 28 government run old age homes and a sum of Rs 1.89 crore earmarked for the purpose. About 25-30 people are residing in each home, she said.