New Old-Age Home Opens for Destitute Elderly in Fatehpur

A new facility aimed at helping destitute elderly individuals has opened in Chachrehar village, located in the Fatehpur subdivision. The Angel Old Age Home (AOAH) was inaugurated yesterday by its founder, Alka Sharma. This initiative focuses on providing shelter for childless, abandoned, and destitute elderly persons, highlighting the urgent need for such services in the local community.

Initially, the AOAH will accommodate up to 25 elderly individuals in a vacant building belonging to Sharma’s in-laws. This location was previously the site of the Angel Disability & Orphanage Home, which Sharma established in September 2018. In August 2024, that facility was relocated to Bhagwal village to better serve its residents. Sharma emphasized that the new home will provide free shelter, food, and healthcare to its residents.

The selection process for residents will be stringent, as only those who genuinely struggle for survival in their old age will be admitted. “We will verify the credentials and backgrounds of applicants to ensure that only deserving individuals are accommodated,” Sharma stated. Her motivation to establish the AOAH stemmed from numerous requests from elderly individuals in the lower Kangra region, many of whom have been abandoned by their families or are childless.

Sharma noted that the success of the disability and orphanage home encouraged her to take this step. Currently, more than 30 differently abled children are leading near-normal lives thanks to modern physiotherapy and acupressure techniques. Since its inception, around 160 children aged between 1 and 24 have been treated within the facility.

In her call to action, Sharma urged philanthropists and social activists to engage actively in the management and support of the new old-age home. “We need the community’s participation to make this initiative sustainable and effective,” she added, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

The Angel Old Age Home aims to fill a significant gap in elder care services within the region, offering hope and dignity to those who have faced abandonment and hardship. As the facility begins its operations, the focus will remain on creating a supportive environment where elderly residents can thrive.