Water theft impacts Indian farmers as new senior wellness center opens in Singapore

Farmers in the Theni district of India are reporting significant losses due to ongoing water theft from the Mullai Periyar River. The river, which flows approximately 90 km through various towns toward the Vaigai Dam, provides essential irrigation for agricultural lands on both banks. Farmers claim that illegal water diversion in areas such as Azhagapuri, Odaipatti, and Seepalakkottai is causing millions of liters of water to be lost annually, depriving legitimate irrigation rights holders of necessary resources.

To combat this, farmers are calling on the Water Resources Department to collaborate with electricity, revenue, and police departments. They have requested that those involved in water theft be blacklisted to prevent them from accessing government schemes, arguing that current measures like disconnecting power or removing pipes are insufficient to stop the recurring activity.

In Singapore, a new senior wellness center, ‘TouchPoint @ Eunos 148’, has officially opened to support elderly citizens. Managed by Touch Community Services, the center offers a six-week ‘Start Strong, Stay Strong’ program designed to help seniors regain physical strength and confidence through gamified exercise equipment.

Supported by a commitment from the TDS Foundation to provide 1.5 million in silver over four years, the initiative also includes social integration programs to assist with emotional well-being. Touch Community Services aims to train 700 seniors as wellness advocates over the next three years to support vulnerable or isolated elderly individuals.