The political leadership of Shoranur municipality is committed to the principles of autonomy and dignity that undergirds the WHO age-friendly framework. We are committed to integrate this perspective into every aspect of urban policymaking.

Our focus is to improve access to government offices and public spaces. Access ramps have been built to government buildings (village offices, municipality buildings, and banks) and public spaces (such as parks) frequented by older persons. In future, we hope to provide more ergonomic chairs that are reserved for older persons in bus stands and public parks and to improve the lighting and signages. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) 2025 being developed has adopted age-friendliness as one of its key design principles.

Shoranur is the first municipality in Kerala to eradicate extreme poverty. In this regard, affordable housing is a priority for the municipality. We will ensure that the upcoming and future affordable houses funded by the municipality will have age-friendly design features. Shelter homes being constructed to provide temporary refuge are designed to also accommodate accessibility for older persons to facilities like beds and toilets.

Social connectedness is integral to our vision of age-friendly Shoranur. We realize that infrastructural investments need not translate into well-being. With this realization, We organize annual events for dedicated to older persons. We have initiated sensitization programmes for service providers in different sectors – government, transport, medical, banks, and commercial establishments – that interact frequently with older citizens.

We have reached out to civil society organisations such as pensioners associations of Shoranur, rickshaw driver’s unions, bus owner’s association, in addition to educational institutions and religious and cultural groups to contribute to the realization of this vision. We expect this outreach to create an attitudinal shift to ensure dignity for older persons.