The SanvaadGarh | Korba
For the past 20 years, Prashanti Old Age Home in Korba has stood as a quiet but powerful symbol of sustained community care. Operated by the local non-profit NavDrishti, this residential facility has been providing free shelter, meals, medical support, and dignity to elderly citizens, without accepting a single rupee in government grants.
Founded in 2005 and located in Korba, Prashanti currently houses over 25 senior citizens. It functions with a clear commitment to compassion, volunteerism, and public goodwill proving that institutions built on trust and transparency can thrive outside bureaucratic systems.
A Model of Self-Sustained Welfare
Prashanti’s operations are uniquely community-driven. The trust behind the facility, NavDrishti, relies entirely on voluntary donations, citizen contributions, and a network of local well-wishers. This grant-free model has allowed it to function with minimal administrative overhead, direct accountability, and unmatched consistency.
The infrastructure is modest but well-maintained, offering separate sleeping quarters, a common area for meals and prayers, and medical facilities. Essentials like clothing, bedding, medicine, and nutritious meals are regularly provided through public support and fundraising efforts led by the trust.
Community Participation at Its Heart
Beyond material support, what truly distinguishes Prashanti is the way it has fostered intergenerational and civic engagement:
- Students from local schools such as DAV regularly visit the home, engaging in service activities, cultural programs, and clean-up drives.
- Local police personnel from Kusmunda and Sarvamangla posts have made it a practice to visit Prashanti during occasions like International Women’s Day honouring elderly women residents with floral tributes and tokens of appreciation.
- Devotional events and group activities, including bhajan sessions and community feasts, are organised by local NGOs and citizens, offering residents meaningful participation and emotional enrichment.
Such community-driven involvement helps bridge the generational gap and reinforces the role of empathy and service in civic life.
Health & Well-being: A Priority
Health remains a critical focus area. Weekly medical check-ups are arranged with the help of local physicians and public health workers. Residents receive consistent attention to their physical and mental well-being, with volunteers often stepping in to assist with healthcare coordination, emergency visits, and emotional support services.
While many elderly care institutions struggle with professional attrition or administrative stagnation, Prashanti has continued to operate with dedicated oversight, regular health interventions, and transparent reporting.
A Blueprint for Other Cities
Prashanti’s success underscores what’s possible when local leadership, civil society, and a shared sense of responsibility converge. In an era where elderly abandonment and institutional neglect are rising challenges across India, Prashanti offers a hopeful counter-narrative one rooted in collective care, respect, and resilience.
The model is replicable. With structured public support, minimal recurring costs, and a volunteer-driven framework, cities across India can adopt and adapt the Prashanti approach – creating more inclusive, humane environments for senior citizens.
Prashanti Old Age Home is not merely a facility, it is a living testament to what community compassion can achieve in the absence of state dependency. It continues to serve with quiet efficiency and enduring grace, upholding the values of dignity, care, and shared humanity.
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