Bangalore: Women and Child Development Minister H.K. Kumaraswamy did not perhaps know what he had bargained for when he decided to take a stroll around the hall in Shikshakara Bhavan before inaugurating the World Senior Citizens' Day function here on Friday.

Intended to provide a "photo-op" to mediapersons — of the Minister speaking intimately to senior citizens — it turned out to be an altogether different trip for the Minister.

He was stopped every step of the way by vociferous elderly men and women who poured out their grievances and gave him more applications than he could hold in his hands.

Eighty-five-year-old Muniyamma, who had come to the function organised by the Department for the Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens all the way from an elders' day care centre in Vyalikaval, held on to Mr. Kumaraswamy's arm and insisted that he grant the centre a vehicle.

It was with difficulty that the Minister extricated himself and went back to the dais. Beginning with the promise that he would look into all the grievances he had heard, Mr. Kumaraswamy went on to talk about the various proposals of the Government on elder care.

Old schemes

Although no new schemes were announced, the Minister said the Government was seriously considering many proposals, including providing bus passes, mobile medical vans and geriatric care centres in all districts.

When he said the Government was running a helpline for senior citizens, an elderly man got up and shouted: "Please tell someone to pick the phone when people call."

There were protests again when, prompted by the Minister, one of the volunteers tried to cut short the speech of one of the representatives of senior citizens.

The Minister had to explain that he had yet another appointment and apologised for leaving in a hurry.

As he made his way out of the hall, persistent senior citizens followed him all the way to the door and made sure the Minister heard them.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who were scheduled to attend the function, did not turn up.

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