SURREY, B.C. - Indian pensioners living in the Lower Mainland can submit their annual life certificates at a special camp being held at the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey on Oct. 25.
The camp will run in two sessions: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the mandir, located at 8321-140 St. in Surrey. Pensioners are asked to bring their original identification documents.
For more information, contact Vinay Sharma at 604-782-7624 or the temple office at 604-596-4777.
What is a life certificate? It is an official document that pensioners must submit every year to prove they are alive so their pension payments continue without interruption. In India, it is known as the Jeevan Pramaan Patra.
Every central and state government pensioner in India must submit an annual life certificate, usually during the month of November, for their pension to continue. Pensioners aged 80 and above can begin submitting from Oct. 1. The certificate confirms to the pension disbursing authority, such as a bank or post office, that the beneficiary is alive and eligible to keep receiving benefits. Without it, pension payments can be stopped.
This requirement applies not only to pensioners living in India but also to non-resident Indian pensioners who retired from Indian government service and now live abroad, including the many retired teachers, railway employees, defence personnel, and civil servants who have settled in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford.
For elderly pensioners, the annual trip to complete this paperwork can be difficult. Many are in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, and travelling to India or navigating online systems is not always possible. Community camps like the one at the Surrey mandir bring the service to their doorstep, in a familiar setting, with volunteers who speak their language.
In recent years, India has introduced the Digital Life Certificate, known as Jeevan Pramaan, which allows pensioners to submit their certificate online using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. But many seniors still prefer or require in-person assistance, which is why physical camps remain popular.
The Consulate General of India in Vancouver has a history of organizing consular camps for life certificates at community venues across the Lower Mainland, including previous camps at the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, gurdwaras in Vancouver and Abbotsford, and temples in Burnaby. These camps have drawn large turnouts from the Punjabi and wider Indian community.
Pensioners attending the Oct. 25 camp should bring original ID documents. It is a good idea to also carry a copy of the pension payment order or bank passbook showing pension credits, along with any previous life certificate, to make the process smooth.
Family members are encouraged to accompany elderly parents or grandparents to the camp and to help them note the annual deadline. Missing the November window can lead to pension payments being suspended until the certificate is filed, causing months of stress and paperwork to restore.
The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir at 8321-140 St. is one of the oldest and most active Hindu temples in Surrey, hosting daily prayers, festivals, and community service programs throughout the year.
Source: Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Surrey
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