State joins International Day for Older Person observance
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2013: Like their global counterparts senior citizens of Manipur today observed International Day of Older Persons with Social Welfare Department organising a State level observance function at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound today.

Gracing the State level observance held under the theme 'The future we want, what older persons are saying', Social Welfare Minister Ak Mirabai Devi honoured senior citizens by presenting shawls to those present at the occasion.

Conceding that she is aware about many aged-persons either driven out from home or deprived of rights by their own children, the Minister pointed out that Maintenance of Older Person and Senior Citizen Act 2007 is already in place in Manipur so that the elderly persons could legally demand their right for maintenance.

Elaborating that under the said Act district tribunals have been constituted with the Deputy Commissioners as the presiding officers along with suggesting that discriminated senior citizens may apply to the presiding officers for various welfare schemes including demanding their own legal rights from their children, Mirabai also informed that homes for the aged already exist in the State with mobile medical facility for their health-care.

Citing coverage of 45,000 elderly citizens under the Old Age Pension Scheme as one among various projects that illustrate the State Government's serious commitment to financially ameliorate suffering of the senior citizens, the Minister also expressed that over 72,000 aged persons, including widows and physically challenged, getting benefits of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension in Manipur is yet another testimony about the Government honouring its senior citizens.

Mirabai also appealed to the senior citizens to open their respective bank accounts at the earliest as the Government is keen to ensure effective and judicious distribution of old age pension scheme.

Regretting incidents of senior citizens subjected to unpleasant treatment by their own children, she said through care and respect for the elderly persons one can repay the parents for their toil in bringing up the children.

Speaking at the occasion, senior citizen RK Jhaljit noting Government of India's initiative to promote good health and wellbeing of its citizens conveyed that every aged person wish that the upcoming generation live a long and healthy life.

He also suggested that along with advancement in age, one's diet should be based mainly on fruits and vegetables in order to live a long and healthy life.

Besides many senior citizens, Wakf Board Chairman MLA Fajur Rahim, Yaiskul AC MLA Elangbam Chand, Principal Secretary (Social Welfare Varun Mitra and Director (Social Welfare) L Ibobi also attended the event.

Meanwhile, Senior Citizens' Forum, Imphal East hosted a function at Dharmalaya Hall, Brahmapur Nahabam to commemorate the observance.

The function was graced by IMC Chairperson A Nimai, Forum advisor W Kulabidhu, (Retd) Additional Director (Education) and Forum advisor Ph Tomcha, Retd Director (Agriculture) B Haridas Sharma, JNIMS Professor (Medicine) Dr Y Iboton and Child Specialist Dr A Naranbabu as members of the dais.

Welcoming celebration of the international Older Person's Day, albeit belatedly, senior citizens speaking at the occasion expressed that reserving atleast a day for such event would not only enable the senior citizens to air their inconveniences and grievances at a common platform but would certainly create awareness and broaden views of the common people about the plight of the elderly persons.

Listing cerebral incompatibility and difficulty in sustaining healthy familial ties as some problems associated with ageing, they conceded that such issues often lead to instances of their own children unwilling to take care of the parents.

Further stating that such problems getting aggravated cause an elderly person to ultimately suffer mental breakdown, the speakers advised the younger generation that compassionate approach and understanding are some means for tackling problems related to advancement of age.

Senior citizens present at the occasion were also honoured through presentation of simple gifts.

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