With the aim of improving the overall wellbeing of senior citizens and helping them stay active besides being motivated, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday inaugurated 25 day care centres across the state christened ‘Anbucholai’ (grove of love).
Inaugurating an Anbucholai at Ponmalai in Trichy city, the chief minister, accompanied by Social Welfare Minister Geetha Jeevan, interacted with the inmates and played carrom with a few. He also distributed gift hampers containing millet food items and health drink flour produced by Women Self Help Groups.
Taking a cue from neighbouring Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government has started the day care centres which will function like community hubs, keeping the elderly engaged and connected. At Anbucholai, the senior citizens can spend their time in a safe environment. Elderly family members of working women can avail the facilities at these centres and need not feel lonely at home, said officials of the Social Welfare Department.
A total of 25 centres have been established at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore with two each in 10 municipal corporations, including Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tirupur, Erode, Thanjavur, Dindigul, Thoothukudi and Vellore besides Krishnagiri and Ranipet districts. Chennai has three of them at Tondiarpet, Virugambakkam and Sholinganallur.
Meanwhile in Chennai, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin honoured 200 elderly couples who have attained the age of 70 and above at the famed Sri Parthasarathy temple at Triplicane. They were presented with gifts. Shaivite and Vaishnavite mutt heads, graced the occasion. In other regions, 631 couples were honoured. This is part of an initiative of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments as announced in the 2025-26 Budget to honour 2000 elderly couples.