Ukhrul senior citizens to celebrate International Day of Older Persons
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Ukhrul, September 24 2015: Thousands of senior citizens from across Ukhrul district will converge at TNL Ground, Wino Bazaar to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October.

The event is being organized by Tangkhul Kharar Long (TKL), a Tangkhul elders' association.

"The International Day of Older Persons has been observed regularly for many years in Imphal valley but this event will be observed only for the second time this year in Ukhrul district," said TKL Chairman Ch Pheiray in a press conference held at Community Cafe, Viewland Thursday evening.

"With this observance, we hope to bring ourselves on the journey of reviving our rich cultural values, apart from enlightening and bringing out the myriad woes besetting the elders' community in the district," he said.

Informing that there will be cultural exhibition during the event, Pheiray highlighted that the significance of Tangkhul culture will be brought out through items like Meikharap (Fire making), Yung Khangava (carrying of main beam for Morung), Tingteila Kahui (violin rendition), Haolaa khanganui (folk song crooning), Mazui Kahui (female stringed instrumental display), Pheichak (Folk dance) and Khamahon (community chanting) .

"We need to preserve our rich culture which had been handed down to us by our forefathers.

Unless we educate this to our present day generation, we risk the danger of losing our rich cultural heritage and traditional values," he said.

TKL is an elders' body which believes in seeking a holistic approach in redressing various grievances affecting the senior citizens of the district, asserted Secretary Ngaitheng Keishing before adding that majority of elder persons in Ukhrul are being deprived of the old age pension facilities.

Further lamenting that the Old Age Pension Scheme has become a political scheme in the State, he pointed out and said that even older persons above 60 years old could never enjoy the benefits of the scheme unless they have some political connection.

Selection of beneficiaries under the scheme is being covertly carried out under the quotaship of MLAs/ministers, Keishing rued while adding that the rights of many eligible beneficiaries have been robbed off through all the political and official rigmarole.

Established some two years back, TKL currently has a total of around 2000 members from across the district and its membership is gradually growing.

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