Regretting that pensions of senior citizens were often misused, social welfare, home guards and civil defence adviser Noke Wangnao appealed to the social welfare department to be more vigilant for ensuring that this did not happen.
Addressing a function organised to observe the International Day of Older Persons on the theme “The Journey to Equality” organised by the social welfare department at Hotel Japfu here on Tuesday, the adviser said the pension scheme for senior citizens was introduced in 1991 through the department.
However, he lamented that the pension for older people was misused and stressed that corruption must be checked. He asked the social welfare department to ensure that such cases did not recur.
Wangnao also urged the senior citizens to share their life experiences with the younger generation, keeping in mind that Naga society was fragmented and unity did not exist.
Speaking on the occasion, social welfare director T Merangtsungba Aier called for creating an environment that was friendly to senior citizens, make available health services to them and facilitate forming separate queues for them in billing centres, day care centres, recreational parks, etc.
He also urged the senior citizens to register for identity cards, stating that the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals would not be achieved, if people of all age groups were not included.
In his keynote address, Senior Citizen Association Nagaland (SCAN) president Khekiye K Sema mentioned that grey hair was a sign of experience and challenges that a person went through, adding this experience should be shared with the younger generation.
He regretted that there was no proper platform for senior citizens to ventilate their experiences, be it on national movement or how to ensure that one’s rights was not sold.
Sema said the responsibility of senior citizens was to give hope and ideas to the decision-makers, adding SCAN was an open house and its criterion was 60 years and above. Therefore, he appealed to old persons to be a part of the association, while inviting old ladies to be part of SCAN.
He regretted that after having gone through all stages of life, many were left in old age homes in the twilight of their lives. He suggested inviting students to such occasions in future.
Sema also appealed to the social welfare department to take extra care of old age homes, ensure that elementary comforts were given to inmates and not let the old persons feel neglected.
Meanwhile, the department handed out awards to distinguished senior citizens of the State on the occasion. In State-level male category, the award was given to noted social worker and peace activist Niketu Iralu, while Dr P Kilemsungla, who is widely recognised for her contribution in the field of education, was awarded in female category. She was also a member of UPSC in 2013-2016.
In district-level male category, retired primary teacher and social activist Kelhikhrie Rüpero was awarded, while in female category, the award was handed out to Seno Vihienuo, wife of late Rev Deo Vihienuo.
The department also presented gifts to all senior citizens present at the event.