Chandigarh Citizens Foundation launches Project Sewa for elderly residents in Sector 27
Synopsis
In a city where urban loneliness among the elderly is quietly growing, the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation has launched Project Sewa — a boots-on-the-ground initiative pairing doctors, RWA volunteers, and activity sessions to reach seniors above 70 in Sector 27 D. The pilot, backed by a Governing Council led by former Army Chief General V.P. Malik, could set a replicable model for community-led eldercare across Indian cities.
Key Takeaways
The Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF) launched Project Sewa on 18 May in Sector 27 D, Chandigarh .
The initiative targets elderly residents above 70 years , both those living alone and with family.
Approximately 30 senior citizens were visited by RWA presidents, volunteers, and doctors in the pilot phase.
Activities include bhajan singing, yoga, aerobics, Chess , and park walks, organised entirely under the CCF banner.
The CCF was founded about one year ago and is led by General V.P.
Malik , former Chief of the Army Staff.
Medical emergency assistance is also extended to beneficiaries under the project.
The Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF) has launched 'Project Sewa', a community-driven initiative aimed at addressing the emotional, mental, social, and physical needs of senior citizens in the Tricity region, with additional support for medical emergencies. The pilot rolled out in Sector 27 D, Chandigarh, on 18 May, marking the CCF's most structured outreach effort since its founding a year ago.
Who the Initiative Targets
Project Sewa focuses primarily on elderly citizens above 70 years of age — whether living alone or with family. The CCF's stated mission is to build 'a neighbourhood where no elder feels alone, where dignity, companionship and care are part of everyday life.' Loneliness among the aged, a growing concern in urban India, is a central problem the project seeks to counter.
In the pilot phase, approximately 30 senior citizens in Sector 27 D were visited by Resident Welfare Association (RWA) presidents and trained volunteers, who counselled them on community participation and assessed their individual needs alongside a team of doctors.
What Project Sewa Offers
The initiative provides round-the-clock activity sessions — both indoor and outdoor — designed to keep elderly residents engaged throughout the day. These include bhajan singing, cinema songs, current affairs discussions, and recreational games such as Chess and puzzles. Morning sessions in parks feature aerobics, yoga, dancing, and fun games, all facilitated by trained sports volunteers.
Beyond recreation, neighbourhood volunteers and family members are being coordinated to make regular visits to elderly residents living alone. The CCF also extends assistance during medical emergencies, adding a critical safety net for this demographic. Notably, all events and programmes are organised exclusively under the CCF banner, without the involvement of any external agency.
The Organisation Behind the Drive
The CCF was established approximately one year ago with the goal of building a more sustainable and inclusive Chandigarh. It was launched by General V.P. Malik, former Chief of the Army Staff and president of the CCF, alongside members of a Governing Council that includes retired bureaucrats, industrialists, artistes, and advocates. The foundation has since partnered with RWAs and welfare associations across the Tricity to expand its community reach.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
India's elderly population is projected to double to over 300 million by 2050, according to United Nations estimates, placing increasing pressure on both government and civil society to develop scalable eldercare models. Initiatives like Project Sewa represent a grassroots response to a gap that public infrastructure has yet to fully bridge. With the Sector 27 D pilot underway, the CCF is expected to evaluate outcomes before scaling the project to other sectors across the Tricity.
Point of View
But for how it is structured — entirely community-funded and volunteer-led, with no external agency involvement. That self-sufficiency is both its strength and its constraint: scaling beyond Sector 27 D will test whether the CCF can replicate this model without diluting quality or burning out volunteers. India has no shortage of eldercare announcements; what it lacks is sustained, measurable delivery. The real question is whether the CCF's Governing Council — credentialled but voluntary — can institutionalise this beyond a goodwill pilot before the need outpaces the bandwidth.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project Sewa launched by the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation?
Project Sewa is a community initiative by the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF) designed to address the emotional, mental, social, and physical needs of senior citizens above 70 years in the Tricity region. It was piloted in Sector 27 D, Chandigarh, on 18 May, offering activity sessions, volunteer visits, and medical emergency assistance.
Who is eligible for Project Sewa in Chandigarh?
Elderly residents above 70 years of age in the Tricity area are the primary focus of Project Sewa, regardless of whether they live alone or with family. The initiative specifically aims to reduce loneliness and improve community engagement for this age group.
What activities does Project Sewa offer to senior citizens?
Project Sewa organises both indoor and outdoor activity sessions including bhajan singing, cinema songs, current affairs discussions, Chess, yoga, aerobics, dancing, and park walks. All sessions are facilitated by trained sports volunteers and organised exclusively under the CCF banner.
Who leads the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation?
The CCF is led by General V.P. Malik, former Chief of the Army Staff, who serves as its president. The Governing Council includes retired bureaucrats, industrialists, artistes, and advocates. The foundation was established approximately one year ago.
Will Project Sewa expand beyond Sector 27 D?
The initiative is currently running on a pilot basis in Sector 27 D, Chandigarh. The CCF has partnered with Resident Welfare Associations and welfare groups in the area, and outcomes from this pilot are expected to inform a potential expansion to other sectors across the Tricity.
