To enhance the mental well-being of senior citizens and address their loneliness they often experience, a new initiative titled "Sallapam" has been launched by the Social Justice Department. The core idea is to connect elderly individuals and the younger generation via telephone, by assigning a phone mate/telephone friend to elderly people who live alone or feel isolated. Through this scheme, senior citizens who live alone or feel lonely will have someone to talk to for a while, helping ease their isolation. It also aims to familiarize senior citizens with modern technology and foster a connection with the younger generation. Another major objective is to allow elders to share their wisdom and life experiences with the youth, thus helping to create an age-friendly society.

In the first phase, a group of MSW (Master of Social Work) students from selected colleges will be formed, these students will then be provided with a one-day orientation session by the department. Based on the calls from the Elder Helpline (Elderline – 14567), the details of senior citizens who express a need or interest in this service will be shared with the students, then the students have to talk to the senior citizens politely and friendly manner, adhering to a fixed time schedule. The students must prepare a case study report based on the interaction and send it to the Elderline office via email. The basic expenses for mobile recharge will be provided from the department and also a certificate of appreciation will be issued to students who successfully complete their term of voluntary service.