The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Bus, train fare concession sought for senior citizens based on U.K. model

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bus, train fare concession sought for senior citizens based on U.K. model

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Latest issue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Chairman N. Ramanuja (right) releasing the magazine ‘Hiriya Prajegalu’ along with (from left) Bhavan Director Mathoor Krishnamurthy, writer Sumana Vishwanath and forum president Y.N. Ramanath in Bangalore on Monday.

BANGALORE: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Director Mathoor Krishnamurthy on Monday stressed the need for providing more fare concessions to senior citizens in buses and trains similar to what has been provided in the U.K.

Addressing a conference of senior citizens organised by the Karnataka Rajya Hiriya Prajegala Kshemabhyudaya Vedike (Karnataka Senior Citizens’ Welfare Forum) here, Dr. Krishnamurthy noted that in the U.K., senior citizens were charged only one-third of the actual fare in buses. Only a nominal fare was charged for a young attendant, if any, accompanying senior citizens on buses, he said.

He maintained that it was possible to provide similar benefits to senior citizens in Karnataka. The vedike should submit a memorandum in this regard to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa he said and added that it was the duty of the Government to provide such facilities to elderly persons.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur, who was scheduled to inaugurate the conference, could not attend as he is out of station. However, in a message the governor said aged people were afflicted more by loneliness and despondency than by physical illness and, hence, they look for fellowship as well as attention.

Writer Sumana Vishwanath said the UGC had begun a bridge course on aging and related issues in Madurai University to help youngsters understand the problems of the elderly.

The 8th special issue of a monthly magazine titled “Hiriya Prajegalu” was released on the occasion.

Forum president Y.N. Ramanath, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Karnataka) Chairman N. Ramanuja, State Bank of Mysore Chief General Manager A. Ramakrishnan and gastroenterologist Ramesh spoke.

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