Caring Spaces, Dignified Lives
Ahata Waqar Chanapoora, Srinagar, - a day-care and recreation centre for Senior Citizens - has become the twinkling pulsation of old aged persons as it provides various options and programmes to entertain them . The first ever day-care and recreation centre for Senior Citizens in the state at Primary Health Centre, Chanapoora was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal on April,10 2019. In spite of Covid 19, blitz, the centre now continues relentlessly to take care of elders by organising various health awareness and recreational pursuits.
The centre possesses facilities of library, recreational hall, reading room, pantry, counselling centre, Geriatric OPD and Physiotherapy. The Centre has been established in recognition of the contributions and achievements made by senior citizens in different spheres of the society. The District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar, the Social Welfare Organization, Srinagar and the Directorate of Health services Kashmir are providing logistic support to Ahata Waqar for organising various events for the senior citizens.
Besides providing recreational facilities to the senior citizens, the centre also provides a platform where they share their precious experiences and experiences to surmount various issues faced by the society. The dwelling has a functional library that includes books on the discourses of religion, philosophy, etc. for the senior citizens. The facility also has a fully furnished hall fitted with AC and heating system with computers, LCD TV, and other tools of entertaining resorts for the elderly. The government has kept several staff members available at this centre along with Para-legal volunteers from District Legal Services Authority Srinagar for providing legal advice to the elders. Above all, senior citizens can get regular health check-ups at this centre as specialist doctors and physiotherapists are also available. In fact, this is a place of cheerfulness and glee for old individuals.
The Organization of Ahata Waqar besides, providing medical and legal facilities to senior citizens, also conducts socio- cultural interactions with the prominent and reputed citizens of our society who have shown exceptional concert in their lives, The most prominent among these have been so for, Gh, Jeelani Nehvi (IAS Retrd), Mrs. Naseema Lankar, (IAS Retrd), the renowned Psychiatrist, Dr. Mushtaq Margoob, Mrs, Dr. Nighat Shafi Pandit, Former HOD SMHS, Dr, Gazanfar Ali, President, IRRT, Adv. Abdul Rashid Hanjura, Prof. Zaman Azurda, Prof Shad Ramzan and Prof Farooq Fayaz, etc.
This humble writer was also invited for an interactive-session on Wednesday, 6th August, 2025. Honoured personalities who constituted the presidium included Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, a sincere and diligent officer, Former Chairman J&K PSC, Dr. Waseem Raja, JKAS, a dynamic officer, Joint Director Tourism Kashmir. Peerzada Abdal Mehjoor, Prominent Broadcaster, Writer and President of J&K Mehjoor Foundation, and Farooq Ahmad Geelani, famous Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Gh. Nabi Shah, SP, and Arshad Ali Qadiri, DFO, Srinagar. The interactive-session was attended by a large number of senior citizens from different walks of life , school students , writers , poets and cultural activists . On this occasion, the tranquil atmosphere of Ahata Waqar Chanapoora was permeated with divinity as the successful event started with an inspiring Tilawat of the Holy Quranic verses by Haji Ghulam Hassan Shah and poignant Naat -e -Sharief by Javed Ahmad Beigh.
Speaking on the event, Dr. Waseem Raja while felicitating said, “social interactions with experienced academicians and social activists not only enhance community cohesion but also raises awareness on pertinent issues and promotes holistic well-being among senior citizens and susceptible populace”.
Peerzada Abdal Mehjoor expressed his views, emphasizing “the importance of community support and collaboration in advancing societal welfare initiatives.” His views marked a thought provoking discourse on ways and means to cope up in the society. He said, “Education brings a desired change in the individuals and promotes welfare of the society ”.
Farooq Geelani stressed on the need for “organising social discourses among the youth at regular intervals to foster thoughtful interaction, sharing experiences, and reflecting on education, values, and community engagement”. He said our education should teach to safeguard our environment.
While sharing my lifelong journey and experiences, I underscored the “need for social commitment, consistency and handwork to achieve and enrich cherished goals in life”. “Life, at times, feels tough while pursuing conviction and coping with adversity but it has to be made a catalyst for growth and resilience”, I said. I also stressed on “the need for protecting the environment (NLCO is doing a commendable job in this regard) and learning Kashmiri language, which can be taken up as an optional subject for UPSC and PSC exams”.
Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone in his inspiring address shared his experiences as an officer of the Administration and urged the need for selfless service and spirit of compassion to address chronic problems confronting the society. “Mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive keeping an eye on vision.”, he added.
The Chairman Ahata Waqar Ab. Ghani Paray welcomed the guests whereas, its organiser and former Director Doordarshan, Shabir Mujahid presented vote of thanks. The Secretary of the organization Er. Khazir Mohammad Trag and Qazi Ab Rashid also spoke on the occasion. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Media Secretary also spoke and discussed the purpose of the felicitations. He read out the written souvenir describing my life anecdote.
At the end, I was offered a written souvenir/ memento as a token of Love and Honour
Dr. Laila Sultana nicely moderated the event and ensured silky proceedings and exciting treatise among participants.
