The Kolkata Police, which runs project Pronam for the elderly in collaboration with city-based non-governmental organization, The Bengal, has come forward to stand by the side of the elderly citizens of Kolkata with an assurance to ensure their well being during lock down. The Pronam project is supported by Shree Cement Ltd as a part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The Coronavirus outbreak has a posed a serious question mark on the well-being of senior citizens in Kolkata, especially those who live by themselves. Many elderly residents of Kolkata have children working outside the city or country and are hard up to carry out the daily chores like going to the market or doctors.

The Kolkata Police has started Senior Citizen Helpline Number (9830088884) for the elderly to call on and report their problem. The Pronam office is also working 24 hours with helpline 03324190740. Joint convenor of Pronam project Esha Dutta, Arindam Sil and Javed Yusuf are actively engaged in the project.

The Bengal president, Jogen Choudhury, working president Goutam Ghose and other eminent citizens, who are also members of The Bengal – Usha Uthup, Chuni Goswami, Dona Ganguly, Bickram Ghose – and others have come forward to extend their support to the Pronam initiative.

There are more than 16,000 senior citizens enrolled under Pronam but the Kolkata Police Senior Citizen Helpline has been extended to cover all senior citizens of Kolkata.

On an average, Pronam receives close to 800 applications each month from senior citizens seeking membership. Currently, senior citizens above the age of 65 years living within the jurisdiction of Kolkata are eligible for Pronam membership. A team of 13 police officers, headed by the additional officers-in-charge of each police station have been assigned to carry out CPW initiatives.