TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM EACH DISTRICT RECEIVE ‘DISTINGUISHED SENIOR CITIZEN AWARD’
Nagaland along with the rest of the world observed “International Day of Older Persons” Friday under the theme, “digital equity for all ages”. According to United Nations, 2021 theme affirms the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons.
Kohima: The International Day of Older Persons 2021 was observed at the office of the district welfare office, Kohima on October 1.
According to a DIPR report, on the occasion, “distinguished senior citizen award” was conferred to retired private school teachers, Vasasüle Metha and B.K. Sachü in recognition of their contributions to the society as teachers and mentors.
During the programme, district welfare officer Kohima, Akali Sema said that one of the objectives of observing the day was to take steps to honour and accord respect to senior citizens.
She explained about the relevance of the theme especially in the context of the pandemic and said that it was important to create access and meaningful participation of all in the current situation.
Visasüle Metha who served Kohima English School, now Mezhür Higher Secondary School for 36 years said that it was always a pleasure and a blessing to teach young students their basic ABCs when they first started school. She thanked the department for honouring her with the award. Also speaking on the occasion, B.K. Sachü said he was in the teaching profession for about 54 years. He shared his thoughts on the present world where in a lot of countries peace was lacking.
The citations of the awardees were read out by Neikesonuo, UDA, while Rev. James C. Neikhrienyü, senior pastor of Baptist Mission Church said invocation prayer and vote of thanks was proposed by welfare inspector, Zahebeituo Kire.
Department of Social Welfare (DoSE) Nagaland observed the day in Kohima where two senior citizens Khinyi Woch, a retired government servant and a keen social worker and Tozheli Zhimomi, a church worker, house wife and a social worker, were awarded the State’s distinguished senior citizens awards.
In a press release, the department informed that at the event, Senior Citizens Association Nagaland president, Khekiye K. Sema said social welfare department was an important department as it directly concerns the welfare of the people at various levels. He also highlighted how in the olden days the elders were taken care of by their family but lamented that the society was progressing towards a time where especially senior citizens are going to be caught up with the urban needs where they are going to be left alone.
Therefore, he challenged the department to look into avenues such as opening up of recreation centres for the elders, if possible, in every colony in the urban areas as well as in the rural areas.
In a short speech, commissioner and secretary social welfare Sarah R. Ritse explained that though there were many things that the department wanted to do for the welfare of its beneficiaries, they were unable to, due to fund constraint.
She reminded that though the department was the nodal department for the welfare of its citizens, a collective responsibility was needed from all sectors and sections of Nagaland department and society. She highlighted the problems faced in disbursing of old age pension through DBT mode where many anomalies were found in the particulars of beneficiaries’ Aadhar and bank account and in the census report due to which many elders were not able to open bank account.
Assistant director, K. Wango Langsym, who chaired the programme, informed that under the ministry of social justice and empowerment, senior citizens home would be opened in all the districts very soon.
Meanwhile, to commemorate the day, Good Samaritan Senior Citizens Home organised a programme at Old Age Home, Meriema, which was attended by elderly people in their homes. The celebration included special presentation by staff of the home.
Dimapur: With an aim to spread awareness among the community about the importance of physiotherapy and nutrition for elderly, a health camp was organised by physiotherapy rehab team and clinical dietitian of Nagaland Multispeciality Health and Research Center (MNHRC), Midland, Dimapur, at the house of friendship-an old age home, near directorate of food and civil supply office. The old age home accommodates 10 people aged between 50-90 years.
Longleng: The day was observed in the presence of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Longleng Dr. Obangjungla as special invitee at Longleng Town Baptist Church.
According to a DIPR report, Dr. Obangjungla gave away the district level award to two distinguished senior citizens of the district namely L. Phumla Phom and N. Metpong Phom in recognition of their valuable service rendered to the society.
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Longleng T. Longlang Luckpan spoke on the significance of the day and stressed on various schemes provided by the government for the benefit of the senior citizens in the district. He also explained procedures and guidelines to avail the facilities particularly with respect to IGNOAPS.
On the occasion, retainer lawyer Longleng district legal service agency (DLSA) advocate A. Mane Phom sensitised the gathering on “old age pensions scheme” and maintenance of senior citizen act while penal lawyer LDLSA Panglang Y Phom identified beneficiaries and assisted them to avail IGNOAPS.
Kiphire: Kiphire district observed the day at CDPO office Kiphire. The programme was chaired by senior supervisor Thorhosie Kijiri, keynote was addressed by S Yesumong, CDPO Pungro and presented certificates of distinguished senior citizen awards to T Musumong and Tsachola while of thanks was proposed by P Shongwang, supervisor.
Mon: In Mon, International Day of Older Persons was observed at DRDA hall Mon with SDO (C) Mon, Illika Zhimomi as special guest. Illika in her speech stressed on the importance of older persons or senior citizens in the society and encouraged them to think positively and lead a purposeful healthy life. She stated that they were treasures of history to be passed on to the next generation and urged them to continue guiding the younger generations.
In his address, DWO, Mon, Y. Tauhong Ngonyen felicitated two distinguished senior citizen, Lyu-Ao Konyak and T. Phamtong Konyak.
CDPO Mon, Renchano Odyuo, also felicitated two retired senior citizens from the department, retired chowkidars, Thongwang and Hongpheang.
CDPO, Phomching, Laitak while delivering the keynote address stated that empowered older persons enhanced their ability to live independently and that technology can promote cost effective access health care for older persons.
Peren: On the occasion of the International Day for Older persons 2021, two senior citizens from Peren district, Hellam Kuki from Ahthibung town and Lhingjahat Mangjel from Songlhuh Village were honoured and felicitated with certificates and cash in recognition of their contributions to the society in the conference hall of the DC, Peren.
In his short speech, DC Peren, Sentiwapang Aier encouraged the gathering to set an exemplary lifestyle of healthy living to live a long life. He extended gratitude and appreciation to the two elders for their contributions to the society and asked them to continue the same.
District welfare officer Peren, Asangla Jamir while giving a brief biography of the two elders said, Hellam Kuki was a Retd. Govt. Teacher & Ex-GB of Ahthibung Town (2004-2020). During his tenure as a teacher, Hellam Kuki received the best teacher award under sub-division level (Peren).
While highlighting the life of Lhingjahat Mangjel Biography, Jamir said she was an 85-year-old lady who lived with her eldest son and her grandchildren at Songlhuh village. She also highlighted some of her achievements and contributions and mentioned that since there were very few who could read and write, Lhingjahat Mangjel sacrificed herself to attend night school so that she could work for the betterment of the women in the society.