National Awards for Senior Citizens

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment decided in the year 2005 to confer Vayoshreshtha Sammans to eminent senior citizens and Institutions in recognition for their service to elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens. The “Vayoshrestha Samman” was elevated to the level of national awards in 2013 under 13 categories.

Objective

The scheme shall showcase the Government's concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards senior citizens with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society. It will also provide an opportunity to the younger generations to understand the contribution of the elderly in building of the society and the nation.

About the Award

• Vayoshrestha Sammans shall be conferred every year in thirteen categories.
• The recipients of the Sammans shall be declared every year on the 1st September and will be conferred on the 1st October on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP).
• The Award in each category shall carry a Citation, a Plaque and also cash award in some of the categories as decided from time to time.
• The award would be given to eminent or outstanding Institutions or organisations and individuals from any part of the country.

Categories, description and nature of awards

• Normally the Sammans shall not be presented posthumously: Provided that death occurred subsequent to a proposal having been submitted to the jury in the manner stipulatediIn this Code, then the Samman may be presented posthumously.

Eligibility Criteria for Nomination

1. The Sammans are open to all Indian Institutions, organisations and individuals without any distinction or discrimination on grounds of race, sex, caste or creed.
2. To be eligible for the Sammans, it would ordinarily be necessary that the nominee is recommended in writing by an agency or individual mentioned in the following section. However, in exceptional cases, the Selection Committee may also, suo moto, recommend a person or Institution for the award, with Justification.
3. Self nominations for the Sammans shall not be considered by the Screening Committee and the Selection Committee.
4. The eligibility criteria for each of the Category of Awards shall be as follows:

Best Institution for Research and dissemination of Knowledge in the field of Ageing

1. The award shall be given to the institutions which are generating and spreading knowledge In the field of ageing.
2. To claim the award the award the following requirements shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• The Institution or Organisation should be a registered body and should have minimum five years of experience in the field of ageing and related issues;
• The institution should have remarkable achievements in research or publication and spread of knowledge in the field of elderly in India;
• Outstanding achievements in the area of education training etc. in the field of Ageing or Geriatric care;
• The Institution should have been instrumental in developing and formulating Policies and programmes for Senior Citizens either at the State or National level;
• Dissemination of knowledge and creating awareness on the issues relating to elderly through conferences, seminars, workshops and other means;
• Participatory leadership in the community and civil society at large in the field of ageing as prime concern.

Best Institution for Providing Services to Senior Citizens

1. The award shall be given to the institutions which are providing outstanding services to the elderly.
2. To claim the award, the following requirements shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• The Institution should be providing comprehensive services for the elderly preferably in rural or hilly areas of India especially to indigent senior citizens;
• The Institution or Organisation should be a registered body and should have minimum five years experience in the field of service to elderly;
• The Institution should have made outstanding contribution and has wide recognition;
• The institution has undertaken specialised or innovative services and programme for the betterment of life of elderly in the society;
• Outstanding achievement to provide new and effective outreach strategy or programmes for the betterment of elderly in the society.

Best District Panchayat

1. The award shall be given to the District Panchayats, which have done outstanding work for senior citizens.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Exemplary contribution in the field of Heath, Counselling, Legal aid, awareness, institutional and non institutional programmes for the elderly;
• Significant role in the empowerment of elder people at the village level;
• Outstanding achievement in the Involvement and participation of local people or community in the promotion of are for elderly;
• Promotion of barrier free environment in the public buildings in panchayat area.

Best Urban Local Body

1. The award shall be given to Municipal Bodies or Cantonment Boards or Other Statutory Urban Local Bodies, which have done outstanding work for senior citizens.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Exemplary contribution in the field of Health, Counselling, Legal aid, awareness, institutional and now institutional programmes for the elderly;
• Significant role in the empowerment of elder people at the village level;
• Outstanding achievement in the involvement and participation of local people or community in the promotion of are for elderly;
• Promotion of barrier free environment in the public buildings in, the municipality area.

Best State in Implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 and providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens

1. The award shall be given to the State or Union Territory which has implementation of various provisions of the Act.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Notified the Act, framed the Rules, appointed Maintenance Officers, constituted Maintenance and Appellate Tribunals;
• High level of settlement of claims of maintenance;
• Constituted a State Council for Senior Citizens and held meeting at regular Intervals;
• Prepared and executed comprehensive action plan for providing protection to life and property of senior citizens;
• Institutionalised arrangements for medical support to Senior citizens and created infrastructure and facilities for geriatric health care;
• Promoted research work In treatment of chronic, terminal and degenerative diseases common among elderly;
• Established a network of old age homes, service centres, help-lines or Volunteer bureaus.

Best Private Sector Organisation in promoting the well being and welfare of senior citizens

1. The award shall be given to a Private Sector Organisation who have done work for the welfare of senior citizens.
2. To claim the award, the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Addressing the problems of elderly either by providing them gainful employment, or utilising their skills and experience for the benefit of the society;
• Creating Infrastructure in geriatric medical care or any other similar step for the benefit of elderly as a community;
• Having made arrangements towards care of its former (superannuated) employees;
• Providing barrier free for senior citizens at the work place.

Best Public Sector Organisation in promoting the well being and welfare of senior citizens:

1. The award shall be given to the Best Public Sector Undertaking who have done work in promoting the welfare of senior citizens.
2. To claim the award, the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Formulating Post retirement career policy for its employee;
• Creating infrastructure in geriatric medical care or any other similar step for the benefit of elderly as a community;
• Having made arrangements towards healthy and productive ageing of its employees;
• Providing barrier free for senior citizens at the work place.

Centenarian Award

1. The award shall be given to renowned individuals who are above ninety years of age and are still physically active, independent and contributing to the society.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• The individual should be above the age of ninety years;
• Should have rendered exemplary services for the betterment of the community and society at large;
• Individual who fought against the social evils and for freedom of the Nation;
• Ongoing commitment especially for the cause of elderly or other marginalised sections of the society
• His or her Contribution should have wide recognition from the society;
• Possessing reasonable good health and still actively participating for social causes;
• Participation on various State and National level platforms.

Iconic Mother Award

1. The award shall be given to senior citizen women who in the face of great odds, brought up their children and supported them In being high achievers.
2. To claim the award, the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Unwavering devotion and inculcation of good values and ethics In the children In highly testing circumstances;
• Because of her dedication, vision and hard work, children should have made remarkable achievement In the society;
• Mother who fought for protection, promotion and empowerment of girl child;
• Her contribution commands wide recognition from the society
• Should be of age of sixty years or above.

Lifetime Achievement Award

1. The award shall be given to senior citizens, preferably above seventy years, who have made significant contributions to society, especially for the elderly.
2. To claim the award, the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• The upliftment and betterment of the lives of elderly in society;
• Outstanding achievement in the field of education or research or publication and work performance etc;
• Provide pioneering or innovative programmes and services in the social welfare sector;
• Recognised as a role model for exemplary contribution to the community and society at large;
• Should be of age of seventy years or above.

Award for Creative Art

1. The award shall be given to winners of National or international acclaim for their contribution to literature, theatre, cinema, music, dance, painting, sculpture, photography, etc. and who continue to be active in their field well into their old age.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Exemplary contribution In the field of Art;
• His or her art should be infused with social messages on contemporary issues;
• Outstanding achievement in the promotion and dissemination of Art;
• His or her art should have been recognised widely.

Award for Sports and Adventure (Male and Female)

1. The award shall be given to senior citizens who have won international acclaim and who continue to contribute in the field of sport. One award each is proposed for male and female sports person as sub-categories.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• Exemplary contribution in the field of Sports;
• Recognition of his or her sportsmanship at State or National or International level;
• Bringing solidarity, commitment and collective efforts through the medium of sports;
• Outstanding achievement in the promotion and dissemination of sports to the younger generation;

Courage and Bravery Award (Male and Female)

1. The award shall be given to a senior citizen who has displayed exemplary courage in the face of grave danger. One award each is proposed for male and female sportsperson as sub-categories.
2. To claim the award the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:-
• The protection of human rights, national security or mitigation of social evils;
• Sustainable efforts for the protection of life of the people in society.

Agencies or Individuals which may nominate and procedure of inviting nominations

1. Nominations for the Sammans shall be invited from:
• The Ministries or Departments of the Government of India and their autonomous organisations.
• The State Governments or Union Territory Administrations.
• Past recipients of Padma Award, Vayoshreshtha Samman and other National Awards in both individual and institution categories.
• Members of the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).
• Renowned Apex Chambers like Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry, Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Association of Software and Service Companies, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry etc.
• Any other category of persons or institutions authorized by the Ministry from time to time.
2. The nominations should be sent in the prescribed proforma.

Screening of Nominations

1. A Screening Committee shall be constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to scrutinize and start list of the nominations reed Mr the Attend for consideration of the Selection Committee.
2. Screening Committee shall consist of:
• Joint Secretary (Social Defence), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment - Chairperson, ex-officio
• An expert or professional In the field of ageing - Member
• An eminent senior citizen working for the cause of elderly - Member
• Head of Regional and Training Centre (By rotation) - Member
• Directs, National Institute of Social Defence - Member, ex-officio
• Representative of Centre/ Ministries for the concerned discipline - Member, ex-officio
• Director (Social Defence ), Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment - Member Secretary
3. The non-official members of the Screening Committee shall be entitled to TA/DA in accordance with the Financial Rules and procedures as applicable in Government of India.

Selection of Awardee by the Selection Committee

1. The final selection of the Awardees shall be made on the basis of recommendations of the Screening Committee by a Selection Committee to be constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. The Selection Committee shall consist of:-
   1. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment- Chairperson, ex-officio
   2. Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment-Vice Chairperson, ex-officio
   3. Secretary, Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment - Member, ex-officio
   4. Special or Additional Secretary,Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment -Member, ex-officio
   5. Representatives of the Ministries or Departments of Home Affairs, Urban Development, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Panchayati Raj, Public Enterprises and Industrial Policy and Promotion — Members, ex-officio
   6. Two members of National Council of Senior Citizens to be nominated by the Chairperson (Minister Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) - Member, ex-officio
   7. Two representatives or heads of reputed Non Government Organisations of national level in the field of elderly - Member, ex-officio
   8. Representatives of at least two Apex Chambers of Commerce and Industry - Member, ex-officio
   9. Joint Secretary (Social Defence), Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment - Convener, ex-officio
3. The non-official members of the Selection Committee shall be entitled to TA/DA in accordance with the Financial Rules and procedures as applicable in Government of India.
4. The decisions of the Selection Committee shall be by a majority vote and in the event of the votes on both sides being equal, the Chairperson presiding over a particular meeting shall have a casting vote.
5. The decisions of the Selection Committee shall be final.

Presentation of Award

1. The Award shall be presented at New Delhi at a special ceremony/function to be held on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons on the 1st October every year. The Awards shall be presented by the President of India or the Prime Minister of India.
2. The boarding and lodging expenses of the awardees including one companion for each awardee shall be borne by the Central Government.
3. The to and fro travelling expenses and accommodation for up to one day prior and after the date of Samman ceremony (depending upon the actual arrival and departure dates) shall be arranged and the expenditure shall be reimbursed by the Central Government
4. The TA/ DA admissibility of the awardees and one companion shall be equivalent to that of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
5. Before the announcement of the Award, the concurrence of the prospective awardees or institutions would be suitably ascertained.

List of the awardees for the year 2019

Source: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India