Government Invites Citizens Above 18 to Join Vayo SAATHI Initiative to Support Senior Citizens Across India

The Government of India has invited citizens aged 18 years and above to register as volunteers under the Vayo SAATHI initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening intergenerational relationships, improving the well-being of senior citizens and encouraging greater community participation in elderly care. The initiative provides opportunities for students, young professionals and community volunteers to contribute their time and skills towards supporting older persons through companionship, digital assistance and social engagement.

The programme forms an important component of the recently launched Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan, a National Intergenerational Bonding Campaign being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY). The campaign seeks to bring together younger and older generations, recognising the experience and knowledge of senior citizens while encouraging young people to participate in community welfare activities.

Vayo SAATHI Volunteers to Support Senior Citizens

The Vayo SAATHI initiative stands for Support, Awareness, Assistance, Training, Health and Inclusion. Registered volunteers will serve as companions, facilitators and community connectors, helping senior citizens remain socially active and access essential information and services.

Volunteers will be encouraged to assist older persons in using digital platforms, accessing government welfare schemes, obtaining relevant information and participating in local community activities. The initiative also places emphasis on improving digital literacy, creating awareness about cyber fraud and promoting health and wellness among senior citizens.

Beyond practical assistance, the programme aims to address the growing need for companionship and meaningful social interaction among elderly persons. By encouraging regular engagement between generations, it seeks to create stronger community relationships and ensure that senior citizens continue to participate actively in social and cultural life.

Participants who register and contribute as volunteers will also receive a Vayo SAATHI Certificate in recognition of their involvement in the initiative.

Registration Open Through SAMAVESH Portal and JEEVAN App

The Ministry has opened registration for all interested citizens aged 18 years and above through the Senior Citizens Welfare (SCW) SAMAVESH portal. The platform provides a digital mechanism for individuals wishing to participate in the Vayo SAATHI volunteer programme.

Eligible citizens can register through the official portal at:

https://seniorcitizen.dosje.gov.in/vayo-sathi

Registration is also available through the JEEVAN (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) mobile application, providing an additional channel for citizens to join the initiative.

The Ministry has encouraged students, educational institutions, youth organisations and community groups to mobilise volunteers and participate in activities that improve the dignity, independence and social inclusion of senior citizens.

National Campaign Built Around Five Principles of Intergenerational Bonding

The Vayo SAATHI initiative operates within the broader Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan, which was recently launched in New Delhi by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar.

The national campaign follows a five-point model known as the 5Cs: Connect, Converse, Co-create, Contribute and Continue. These principles are designed to encourage sustained interaction between generations rather than limiting engagement to occasional welfare activities.

Under this framework, younger and older generations are encouraged to establish connections through educational institutions and community platforms, exchange personal experiences, collaborate on meaningful activities and share knowledge and skills. The emphasis on continued engagement seeks to transform intergenerational bonding into a regular community practice.

The approach also recognises that senior citizens possess valuable knowledge, professional experience, cultural traditions and life skills that can benefit younger generations. By facilitating the exchange of these resources, the campaign aims to promote mutual respect and learning.

Twelve Thematic Activities to Encourage Participation

The Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan incorporates twelve thematic areas designed to encourage interaction between senior citizens and younger generations through practical, educational and community-based activities.

Among the key themes is ’30 Minutes Together’, which encourages individuals to spend meaningful time with senior citizens through conversation, companionship and shared activities. Another initiative, ‘Teach Me – I’ll Teach You’, promotes the exchange of knowledge and skills between generations, allowing younger participants to provide technological assistance while learning from the experience and expertise of older persons.

The ‘My Story, My India’ theme encourages senior citizens to share personal experiences, cultural memories and accounts of India’s social development. These interactions are intended to preserve oral histories and strengthen younger generations’ understanding of their communities and heritage.

The ‘Digital Dada-Dadi / Digital Saathi’ initiative focuses on helping older persons become more confident in using smartphones, digital platforms and online services. It also seeks to improve awareness of cyber fraud and encourage safer participation in the digital economy.

Other thematic areas include ‘Generation Health & Wellness’, which promotes healthy living and awareness of elderly well-being, and ‘Silver Skills – Seniors as Mentors’, which recognises the potential of retired professionals and experienced senior citizens to guide younger generations through mentoring and knowledge-sharing activities.

Together, these activities seek to create an environment in which senior citizens are recognised not only as recipients of assistance but also as active participants in community development.

Campaign to Reach Villages, Neighbourhoods and Educational Institutions

The Ministry intends to expand the Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan across villages, towns and urban neighbourhoods through the participation of Panchayats, local bodies, educational institutions and community organisations.

Universities, youth organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partners are being encouraged to mobilise volunteers and organise activities under the programme.

Educational institutions are expected to provide important platforms for intergenerational engagement by connecting students with senior citizens through mentoring programmes, digital literacy activities, cultural exchanges and community service.

The participation of local institutions is intended to help build sustained support networks within communities, ensuring that elderly persons can access companionship, information and assistance closer to their homes.

The Ministry has also released a Handbook on Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan, outlining the campaign’s objectives, implementation framework, thematic activities and the responsibilities of States, districts and community institutions in carrying forward the initiative.

Recognising Senior Citizens as Mentors and Contributors to Society

An important feature of the Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan is its emphasis on recognising the continuing contribution of senior citizens to Indian society.

Rather than viewing older persons exclusively through the framework of welfare assistance, the campaign acknowledges their role as mentors, custodians of cultural knowledge and contributors to community life.

Senior citizens possess decades of accumulated experience in education, agriculture, traditional occupations, professional services, family life and social development. Encouraging the sharing of this knowledge can strengthen community relationships while providing younger generations with opportunities to learn from practical experience.

At the same time, the participation of younger volunteers can help older persons overcome barriers associated with digital technology, access information about public services and maintain greater independence in everyday activities.

The programme therefore seeks to create a mutually beneficial relationship in which younger generations contribute their energy and technological familiarity while senior citizens share their experience, wisdom and knowledge.

Building a More Inclusive Society Across Generations

The launch of Vayo SAATHI volunteer registration marks another step in the Government’s efforts to strengthen community-based support for India’s senior citizens.

By combining volunteer participation, digital assistance, health awareness, cultural exchange and mentorship, the initiative seeks to create a wider network of intergenerational cooperation across the country.

Its emphasis on participation through Panchayats, educational institutions and community organisations provides an opportunity to extend elderly welfare activities beyond formal government programmes and into everyday social life.

Through the Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan, the Government aims to foster a culture in which senior citizens remain valued members of society, supported by younger generations while continuing to contribute their knowledge, experience and skills to the nation’s social development.

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