The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) organised an awareness programme on various issues, including cybercrime, as part of World Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Day in Belagavi on Monday.

Senior Civil Judge and DLSA member-secretary K.N. Shivakumar, who inaugurated the event, spoke about the various challenges that senior citizens are facing, including cybercrime.

He asked them to learn the necessary digital skills and face the challenges courageously. He asked them not to fall into traps like digital arrests but, to approach the nearest police station instead.

He asked them to keep their bank accounts safe and not to reveal them to anyone online. He asked them to share any bad experience like OTP frauds with their trusted family members and take appropriate legal action.

He asked younger members of families to maintain a healthy and polite relationship with elders.

“When youth behave with senior citizens properly and learn from their experiences, it will help them achieve success in life,” he said.

He also urged government officers to treat senior citizens with dignity and help them with their errands.

Belagavi City Corporation Deputy Commissioner Udayakumar Talawar, District Pension Officer Srishail Parangi, Karnataka State Senior Citizens Association State president S.G. Sidnal, advocate Y.M. Bendigeri, president of Retired Employees Association M.V. Hiremath, District Empowerment Officer for the Disabled and Senior Citizens Namdev Beelkar and others were present.