National Award For Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman): Best Public Sector Organisation In Promoting The Wellbeing And Welfare Of Senior Citizens

Every year, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India confers the National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman) to the eminent and outstanding senior citizens and institutions/organizations involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens. The awards are conferred on 1st October every year by the Hon’ble President of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Vayoshreshtha Samman: Best Private Sector Organisation in Promoting the Wellbeing and Welfare of Senior Citizens award shall be given to the Public Sector Undertakings Undertaking Service to the Community Through Activities Under Corporate Social Responsibility and Also Through Programmes for Retired Employees. The activities taken for the benefit of senior citizens should be away from the mainline business of the organization.

?

A total of 11 awards are given along with a Certificate, a Memento and also Cash Award. The total number of Awardees is 15 (Fifteen). The Awards are given across 13 categories:

INSTITUTIONAL CATEGORY

1. Best Institution for Research in the field of Ageing
2. Best Institution for providing services to Senior Citizens and Awareness Generation
3. Best District Panchayat in providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens
4. Best Urban Local Body in providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens
5. Best State in implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens
6. Best Private Sector Organisation in promoting the well-being and welfare of Senior Citizens
7. Best Public Sector Organisation in promoting the well-being and welfare of Senior Citizens

?

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

1. Centenarian
2. Iconic Mother
3. Lifetime Achievement
4. Creative Art
5. Sports and Adventure (one each for Male and Female)
6. Courage & Bravery (one each for Male and Female)

Benefits

DecorationThe Awardee is given a Citation and Memento.

?

Presentation of Award (Ceremony Details)

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

Eligibility

For the NomineeA. The award shall be given to the Best Public Sector Undertaking who have done work in promoting the welfare of senior citizens.

B. To claim the award, the following conditions shall be fulfilled, namely:

1. Formulating Post-retirement career policy for its employee.
2. Creating infrastructure in geriatric medical care or any other similar step for the benefit of the elderly as a community.
3. Having made arrangements towards healthy and productive ageing of its employees.
4. Providing barrier-free for senior citizens at the workplace.

?

For the Nominating Agencies/individuals

1. The Ministries or Departments of the Government of India and their autonomous organizations.
2. The State Governments or Union Territory Administrations.
3. Past recipients of Padma Awards, VayoshresthaSamman and other National Awards in both individual and institutional categories.
4. Members of the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).
5. Renowned Apex Chambers like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), National Association of Software and Service Companies, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry etc.
6. Any other category of persons or institutions authorized by the Ministry from time to time.

?

1. The awards are open to all Indian Institutions, Organizations and Individuals without any distinction or discrimination on grounds of religion, race, sex, caste or creed.

2. It would be necessary that the nominee is recommended in writing by someone authorized to recommend the nominations.

3. The Self-nominations for the Awards shall not be considered.

   Application Process

   Online

   Registration

   1. The agencies or persons, authorized to nominate and recommend eligible institutions or individuals, should visit the National Awards Portal. On the top right of the homepage, click Register.

   2. You will be directed to the Registration Page. Fill in all the mandatory fields (marked with a Red Asterisk).

   3. Check the Declaration checkboxes provided at the bottom of the page. Fill in the Captcha Code, and click Submit.You will receive the Login Credentials on your Registered Mobile Number.
      Application

   4. Visit the National Awards Portal. On the top right of the homepage, click Login.

   5. Login using credentials. From the list of awards, select Vayoshreshtha Samman - National Awards for Senior Citizens, then click Nominate / Apply Now.

   6. On the next page, fill in all the mandatory fields in the online application form, and then click Submit.
      Selection of Awardees

      A Screening Committee shall be constituted in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to scrutinize and shortlist the nominations, under Additional Secretary/ Joint Secretary.

      The final Selection of the Awardees shall be made by the Selection Committee chaired by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

      Calendar of Activities
      1. Issue of Letter Inviting Nominations by the Ministry: 1st November
      2. Last Date of Receipt of Nominations: 31st January
      3. Shortlisting of Nominations by the Screening Committee: 28th February
      4. Final selection by the Jury: 30th April
      5. Approval by the Minister: 31st May
      6. Vetting by IB: 15th August
      7. Announcement of the Awards: 1st September
      8. Presentation of the Awards: 1st October

   Documents Required

   1. Certificate of Registration
   2. Proof of Address (for communication)
   3. Proof of Area of specialization (Memorandum and Articles of Association containing objects and bye-laws)
   4. Proof of Parent Organisation or Registered Body (Certified Copy of the Certificate of Registration)
   5. Details of the Managing Committee and Qualification of their Members
   6. Details of NGO working at Regional/State/National/International Level..
   7. Total staff strength of the NGO.
   8. Annual Reports for the last 3 years.
   9. Special or Outstanding Achievements during the last 5 years in the field of the Category of the Award.
   10. Details of Awards or Honours received, if any (attach citations), along with Justification for the Award.
   11. Justification for the award.