So Am I Foundation celebrates World Senior Citizens Day with Pre Launch of SHRADDHA

By Tapaswini Sahoo

 Bhubaneswar, Aug  22 : SO AM I (SAI) Foundation celebrated World Senior Citizens Day” on 21st August 2025 at Hotel Lyfe, Bhubaneswar with the pre launch of SHRADDHA- A multi faceted support system designed exclusively for senior citizens.

Shri Debi Prasanna Pattnaik, Noted Linguist and Chairperson of So AM I Foundation, Shri Soumyendra Kumar Priyadarsi IPS- Addl DG (Modernisation), Odisha, Shri R S Gopalan, IAS- Commissioner Cum Secretary, SSEPD Department, Odisha, Shri Narsingha Bhol, IPS- Addl Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack graced the function as guests. Also present were eminent senior citizens of the society, Retd. Bureaucrat Sri Pramod Ch Pattnaik, Eminent Doctors Dr. Krupasindhu Panda, Dr. P.K.Das, well-known lawyer Sri Madhu Madhab Jena etc.

Speaking on the occasion, the guests appreciated this initiative and also provided certain insights to make the programme more effective, meaningful and impactful.

Shraddha aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults, promoting dignity, health, emotional well-being, and social engagement. It will address a critical gap by providing services that meet both the practical and emotional needs of senior citizens. This initiative is rooted in the belief that every senior deserves to live their later years with respect, care, and the opportunity to continue contributing to society.

The Senior citizens are facing the challenges of aging, such as declining health, mobility, and social isolation and sometimes they often go unaddressed. SHRADDHA is designed to meet these challenges head-on by offering a holistic and integrated approach to elder care.Under this initiative, SAI Foundation wishes to provide both medical and non medical services. These will be done in collaboration with hospitals, path labs, diagnostic centers, malls, shopping arcades, film halls etc.

On this occasion, Working Chairperson Ms. Sonali Mohanty elaborated on the activities being done by So Am I Foundation and also on the new initiative “SHRADDHA”.

So Am I Foundation Trust, though started its work in 2014, launched the first ever Food Bank in Odisha on 17th August 2019 under the Hunger Free Odisha Initiative. Their community kitchen started in November 2020 facilitated the cooking & subsequent distribution of more than 22,00,000 meals in the 1st & 2nd phase of Covid 19. The basic objective of the initiative was to fight against hunger and malnutrition and control food wastage in the state by channelizing excess food from individuals, weddings, restaurants, corporate offices and reach to the people who have no means or access to food.

Under their ongoing Swa-Aahar Initiative, SAI Foundation also has collaborated with the Commissionerate of Police in 2022-23 to provide training not only to adolescent boys and girls from socio economic weaker sections for their financial independence but also to drug addicts and bring them to the mainstream. Around 400 young boys and girls have been trained in Mehendi application, Beauty & Wellness Training, Cookery under the Swa- Aahar Initiative. Under the Garma Garam initiative of SO AM I Foundation, vending carts, equipments, start up kits have been provided to youth to help them earn a decent living thereby making them financially empowered & self-reliant.

Under the SAIRAM initiative, Pinaki Mohanty, founder of So Am I Foundation Trust & Hunger free Odisha spoke on the vision of providing food to around 500 attendants everyday at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and this activity will complete 1000days on September 6th 2025. Similarly, around 300 attendants are being provided food at SCB Medical College, Cuttack in collaboration with Gayatri Devi Trust.

Guruji HH Dr.ChandrabhanuSatpathy recently inaugurated the 4th Mobile Food Bank & the SAI Cloth Bank. Guruji also launched the SAI YUVA -The youth wing of So Am I Foundation to carry forward the mission with vigour and compassion.

Trustee Smt. Sucheta Mohanty proposed a Time Bank for Odisha, in the light of Switzerland Government’s Time Bank TrusteeSmt Sunita Mohanty moderated the Open Session by the eminent Senior Citizens.Well known Linguist Padmashree Debi Prasanna Pattnayak, Chairman of So Am I Foundation Trust encouraged the whole team of SAI for this noble initiative.

Speaking on this occasion, Founder Sri Pinaki Mohanty told SHRADDHA has been conceptualised as a 360-degree care model for the elderly, addressing both medical and non-medical needs. The programme offers medical benefits such as priority and discounted services in hospitals, doorstep facilities for diagnostic tests and medicines, as well as physiotherapy support. Alongside, it extends non-medical assistance like companionship, assisted outings, religious and cultural support (Puja & Prasad), assistance in hotels and restaurants, as well as digital literacy training to help seniors use the internet and smart devices effectively.

Working Chairperson Smt Sonali Mohanty told “By blending healthcare with emotional and social well-being, SHRADDHA aims to create a safe and dignified environment for senior citizens. With growing concerns about isolation and healthcare access in old age, the initiative seeks to empower the elderly by ensuring comfort, security, and meaningful engagement in their daily lives.”

Trustee Smt Namrita Chahal conducted the programme and Trustee Smt. Poonam Mohapatra proposed the vote of thanks.Also present in the function was Founder Sri Pinaki Mohanty, Co Founder Smt Chidatmika Khatua, Sri Sangram Jena, Trustees Aditya Agarwal, Sanjeeb Acharya & Subhendu Parida.

For further details, please contact:

Debashree / Sandeep

SAIPR

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