New Delhi: The New Delhi district administration has launched a helpline number to provide medical assistance, technology training and counselling to the elderly living in the area.
Called the Hasgulla Helpline (180011323), it was launched Friday by the city’s Additional Chief Secretary Satya Gopal at the New Delhi disaster control room, located at Khan Market.
Speaking to ThePrint, Piyush Rohankar, sub-divisional magistrate of New Delhi district, said, “The elderly are the most dependent due to their age. And because of the Covid-19 lockdown, they have been unable to go out and faced many psychological issues.”
Rohankar also said the helpline has been named Hasgulla because the administration wants to make sure people remain happy. “We want to spread some positivity,” he added.
@DMNewDelhi initiative #HasgullaClub for Senior citizen launched by Hon Additional Chief Secretory Mr Satya Gopal . @HagullaClub Helpline , Hasgulla Van and #SwasthayDoot will help the senior citizen in psychological counseling , ReSkilling ,Entertainment ,Day Care etc . pic.twitter.com/ex9x9FvO1s
— DR.NITIN SHAKYA – डॉ.नितिन शाक्या ?? (@DRNITINSHAKYA) October 16, 2020
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24-hour helpline
Sudip Kumar, who has been handling phone calls since the helpline’s launch last week, said they have received around 100 calls so far, with an average of 20 per day. The 24-hour helpline is being handled by around 14 people each in three shifts.
The nature of the calls, according to Kumar, have been diverse. If one person had called to say that his son kicked him out of the house, there was another who wanted to learn music. Kumar also said many wanted to know more about the helpline and what benefits they could avail. Many calls were also from outside the New Delhi district.
“Our main aim is to eventually expand and for the Hasgulla helpline to move beyond the New Delhi district,” Kumar said.
Hasgulla van
A Hasgulla van has also been launched to offer technical assistance and offer recreational activities for the senior citizens to help them remain motivated.
Rohankar explained that the van will carry board games such as carrom, ludo and chess, as well as tools for technical assistance. The vehicle will make rounds of different areas of the district every day, based on the list of senior citizens registered with the administration.
The main objective of this van, he said, was to reach senior citizens in case they call on the helpline asking for assistance or if they felt bored or lonely.
The district administration also plans to set up Hasgulla clubs for recreational activities. The first such club is likely to come up at Naraina. The government’s aim is to have around 500 Hasgulla clubs in association with various RWAs and other organisations, Rohankar explained.
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