PRONAM: Assisting senior citizens of Kolkata by Kolkata Police and The Bengal

Kolkata, Sep 6 (Calcutta Tube/IBNS): For 60-year-old Ila Majumdar life ceased to be meaningful when her only son left for higher studies in the US and subsequently settled there.

Battling old age and loneliness appeared difficult for the Banerjee couple until they found a family in PRONAM, a programme designed to assist senior citizens of the city in collaboration with the Kolkata Police and The Bengal, a civil society organisation.

“I enrolled myself as a member of  PRONAM a year back and have always found them by my side whenever need,” Ila Banerjee said, while singing praise for the noble initiative at the annual function of the organisation born a year back.

“I was really touched when Kolkata police members took all the pains visit my home with a box of sweets after Durga Puja and Bengali New Year. I now know there is someone on whom I can fall back upon in hours of need,” she added.

Ila Banerjee is one among the 1,700 seniors citizens who are part of the PRONAM family which, though in its nascent stage, has already walked quite a way in providing support and medical assistance to the elderly population of the city.

“I feel those of us have are in the threshold of old age undergo similar problems. Old age makes one infirm and insecured. So I strongly feel that being a part of large family of PRONAM will to some extent lessen the burden of old age and assign a meaning to life,” eminent littérateur Nabaneeta Dev Sen, who is also the working president of the organisation, said.

She was speaking at the annual function of PRONAM here on Saturday.

Operating from the Beltala police station in Ballygunj, the PRONAM office member can be contacted at 033-24190740 by any senior citizen 24-hrs a day for any kind of assistance or membership.

However, those residing in areas under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police are only eligible to be members.

‘PRONAM’ has also tied up with AMRI, CMRI and Belle Vue Clinic to provide a host of medical facilities like free health check ups and medicines at discounted rates

Eminent actor/director Soumitra Chatterjee also staged a performance titled ‘Tritiya Anka’ on the occasion.

Mementos were also distributed to police officials from different Police stations of Kolkata in recognition of their tireless efforts in making the endeavour successful.

Commissioner of Police Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti, Special Commissioner-II Banibrata Basu, industrialist H M Bangur, fashion designer Agnimitra Paul and other Kolkata police officials graced the occasion.