The Office of the Principal Controller of Communication Accounts (Pr CCA), Delhi, under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, celebrated National Senior Citizens Day at Sanchar Lekha Bhawan in Prasad Nagar, New Delhi, felicitating senior and super-senior pensioners for their contribution and dedicated service to the department and the nation.
The programme was chaired by Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA) Vandana Gupta and was attended by pensioners and officials of the Department of Telecommunications.
The felicitation ceremony was the highlight of the event, with several senior pensioners, including those above 90 years of age, honoured for their long service. The oldest pensioner felicitated was 99-year-old Parshuram Sharma, who retired from the Department of Telecommunications in 1987.
Addressing the gathering, Gupta described senior pensioners as the “living memory” of the department and stressed the responsibility of the office towards their welfare.
“Our responsibility towards them did not end on the day they superannuated; it merely changed form. Ensuring that their pension reaches them on time, and that they are heard, respected and cared for, is not a courtesy this office extends — it is a duty this office owes,” she said.
A health check-up camp was also organised as part of the programme. Pensioners were provided basic health examinations, including pulmonary function tests (PFT) and eye check-ups, by a team of qualified medical professionals. Participants were counselled on their findings and advised on preventive healthcare and the importance of regular health monitoring in old age.
The event also featured awareness sessions on cyber security and financial safety for senior citizens. Organised in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), the sessions focused on online fraud, phishing attempts and financial scams and provided practical guidance on protecting personal information, identifying fraudulent activities and conducting secure digital transactions.
Dr Babita Yadav, Senior Research Officer, Ministry of AYUSH, delivered a lecture on healthy living, preventive healthcare and traditional Indian wellness practices for maintaining an active and independent lifestyle in old age.
She highlighted simple practices such as yoga, balanced dietary habits and the Ayurvedic principle of Dinacharya, or daily regimen, which can support physical and mental well-being.
A Know Your Pension (KYP) and Digital Life Certificate (DLC) camp was also organised alongside the event. Pensioners were assisted at the KYP counter in accessing and understanding their records on the SAMPANN portal, while digital life certificates were submitted at the DLC counter through Jeevan Pramaan using face authentication.
The programme provided a platform for interaction between pensioners and department officials and reflected the Department of Telecommunications’ continued commitment to the welfare, dignity and well-being of senior citizens.
