Nagaland joined the global community in commemorating the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) on Saturday. A programme was held at Zonal council Hall here, organized by the Nagaland social welfare department.
With the theme “Take a stand against ageism”, the United Nations is marking the International Day of Older Persons 2016 by encouraging countries to draw attention to and challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing, and to enable older persons to realize their potential to build a life of dignity and human rights.
Speaking on the occasion, the secretary of social welfare, Dellirose M. Sakhrie, said the state government under the social welfare department has already drafted the state rules for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens and the same was under the consideration of the government. She informed that the state Old age pension, which started in 1981, was merged with the central scheme Indira Gandhi Old age pension on state/central share basis. She said the department was presently providing Old age pension to 51,750 senior citizens above 80 years.
Sakhrie stated that there were five NGO-run old age homes in Kohima, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Phek and Dimapur. She said the homes receive state grant in-aid from time to time.
She further informed that separate OPDs for senior citizens were also provided in community health centres in most of the districts.
Stressing on the theme “Take a stand against ageism”, Sakhrie said ageism was a discrimination faced by a group of bracketed category of people who are in the age of 60 years and above. “This discrimination is present in the most affluent as well as among the poorest section of society,” she said. Further, the secretary said discriminatory attitude towards elderly people led to marginalization of the older person in “our social set up” and have negative impacts on their health and well-being.
She urged the general public to gain a deeper understanding of the various issues faced by the aged people who were physically, emotionally and mentally fragile.
She reminded the gathering that the older persons were the asset in the society because of their vast experiences and knowledge in many active years they have been through.
Former minister, N. Theyo, speaking on behalf of the senior citizens forum, said Nagaland was facing many problems for the aged people for payment of bills like electricity, water, telephone and in banks as there was no specific counter for the older persons.
He said media should approach elderly people and highlight their plight. Theyo said youngsters should be taught through various forms of media how to respect elders and offer helping hand when situation demands.
Reminding that ageing was the nature of human beings, which no one could escape, he advised young people to experience a fulfilling life in their age.
He also encouraged the older persons to take regular exercise, take long walk and spend time in personal devotion with God to live longer and healthier.
The programme was compèred by state co-ordinator SRCW, Gracy Aye, invocation prayer was said by Rev. Fr. Peter Saleu SDB parish priest, Christ King church Kohima village, special song was presented by Music ministry Chang Baptist church Kohima. All the senior citizens above 60 years were acknowledged with gift. The vote of thanks was proposed by state programme officer social welfare, E. Yanrenthung.
Vichii-u Zashiimo of Phesama village and Chatuo Paphino of Pfuchama bagged Kohima district senior citizen award and Dr. C. Thridongse Chochocham Thongrangse of Chimonger village under Tuensang district and Rev. Dr. L. Noksangchila (89) of Yaongyimsen village under Mokokchung district bagged state level senior citizen award and prize and certificate were handed over by the department secretary.
Earlier, the senior citizens held walkathon from social welfare directorate, Raj Bhavan road to Zonal council hall, Kohima where hundred senior citizens joined the walkathon with the placard and banner some of which read “the longer I live the more beautiful life becomes”, “take a stand against ageism”, “our elders are our books”, “please care for us”, “don’t abuse elders”, You read the past in some old faces” etc.