The National Helpline for Senior Citizens, Elder Line 14567, has been steadily making an impact in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands since its launch on December 24, 2024. The initiative, part of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), is operational from the WCD Control Room building at VIP Road, Junglighat, and functions daily between 8 AM and 8 PM.
A collaborative effort involving the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), the Directorate of Social Welfare of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, and Alankit Assignments Limited as service provider, the helpline is designed to ensure safety, dignity, and timely assistance for the elderly. It offers free information services, counselling, and real-time intervention in matters related to abuse, neglect, or general well-being.
Since going live, the helpline has received more than 500 calls. Of these, 103 calls were formally registered, and 101 cases have already been resolved. The nature of calls has ranged from emotional support and requests for basic information to serious complaints of physical abuse, neglect, and medical concerns. Each case has reportedly been handled with sensitivity, urgency, and, where required, field-level coordination.
In a particularly notable case, the Elder Line team responded to repeated complaints about long waiting times for senior citizens at the State Bank of India. The team intervened by engaging with SBI officials and formally requesting changes. This resulted in the establishment of a dedicated queue for senior citizens, improving access and restoring a sense of dignity for the elderly clientele.
Elder Line has also spearheaded several field initiatives. It conducted Ayushman Bharat Card enrolment drives at five sites: Ullas Old Age Home, Abhyudaya Complex Old Age Home, Chinmaya Mission, Haddo Ward No. 2, and Wimberlygunj Panchayat Hall. These drives helped over 150 senior citizens gain access to health coverage under the scheme. For those unable to travel due to health issues, the team collaborated with the Directorate of Health Services to ensure doorstep delivery of services and card issuance.
Further extending its outreach, the helpline team identified two vulnerable elderly households through Chinmaya Mission. Monthly ration support was arranged for these families, addressing urgent livelihood concerns and reinforcing the programme’s commitment to inclusive welfare.
The Elder Line’s impact is not limited to reactive support; it also functions as a proactive community presence. Field officers remain in touch with local elderly citizens, ensuring follow-up, feedback, and continuity of services. Its evolving database of senior citizen needs is helping tailor future interventions and identify areas for policy strengthening.
The Andaman & Nicobar Directorate of Social Welfare continues to support and scale up the helpline’s operations, recognizing the growing importance of elder care in the Union Territory’s demographic profile. With a steady increase in elderly population and social isolation risks, initiatives like Elder Line are bridging critical gaps in support systems.
Citizens aged 60 and above or their families are encouraged to use the toll-free number 14567 to report issues, seek guidance, or simply talk to someone. The helpline stands as a symbol of care, access, and respect for a community that often faces invisibility in mainstream support systems.
The implementation of the Elder Line in the Islands highlights the importance of localized action within national welfare frameworks. Its real-world interventions, from changing banking procedures to delivering health coverage, underline the power of accessible communication tools backed by committed administrative action.
The growing success of the Elder Line helpline positions it as more than a call center; it is becoming a lifeline for the elderly in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
