Anil Baijal sworn in as Delhi LG

India Eye International Human Rights Observer (IHRO) organised a programme to recognise the contribution of senior citizens in the society.

The programme Smile@60plus, held at Kamani Auditorium in the national capital on Saturday, had different modes of entertainment – Bhajan Sandhya, shayari, jokes and antakshari. Renowned singer of Art of Living, Manish Sharma was the main attraction of Bhajan Sandhya. On this occasion, the senior citizens were given opportunities to share their memorable and joyful moments of their lives.

Over 700 senior citizens attended the event, where 19 of them were felicitated for their enormous contribution to the society. The organizers also felicitated 36 winners of ‘essay writing and painting competition’ & ‘selfie with grandparents’. A portal on senior citizens ‘think senior citizen’ was also launched on the occasion.

“Over years, with the degeneration of value system, we are observing that more and more senior citizens are forced to live in old-age homes or are compulsorily living a harassed and secluded life under the same roof where they nurtured and brought up their loved ones. We owe a lot to them and thus we have a responsibility to recognise those valuable sacrifices and contribution they have given in their life,” said Rakesh Sharma, MD of India Eye IHRO.

Chief guest on the occasion Dr Bhishma Narain Singh, former Governor of Tamil Nadu & Assam, honoured several eminent personalities including former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, T.S.R Subramanian (Former Cabinet Secretary), Major General G. D. Bakshi, S. Y. Quraishi (former Chief Election Commissioner), Kuchipudi artistes Raja & Radha Reddy. Former Union Home Secretary Anil Baijal took oath on Saturday as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, after the post had fallen vacant with the resignation of Najeeb Jung last week. Baijal was administered the oath by Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini at Raj Niwas, in Delhi.

The Former Union Home Secretary, Anil Baijal was a 1969 batch IAS officer and served as the Home Secretary in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government apart from several other key positions in the government.

The seventy-year-old Baijal retired from service in 2006 as Secretary Urban Development Ministry. His appointment was finalised and approved by the President of India on Wednesday.

“Hopeful about working together with the elected government for the betterment of Delhi and the nation,” Baijal said after taking oath.

Former Delhi LG, Najeeb Jung, resigned from his position on 22 December, bringing to an end his three and a half-year long eventful term.