Nagaland observes International Day of Older Persons

Our Correspondent

Kohima/Dimapur, Oct. 1 (EMN): Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland observed the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) on October 1 on the theme “Pandemics: Do they change how we address age and ageing?”

To commemorate the day, Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS), an NGO based in Kohima, organised a programme at Ngwalwa village panchayat hall in Peren district, which was attended by over 50 elderly people.

Speaking as the special guest, the deputy commissioner of Peren, Sentiwapang Aier, urged the people to focus more in taking care of the older people to enable them live a fulfilled and healthy long life. He emphasised that younger generation need to take care of the older people as they are the ones who took care and nurtured them. Aier also congratulated all the older people for maintaining a healthy and long life.

Talking about senior citizen’s home, Aier expressed the need for such facility as some people really require help. While admitting that Nagas usually look after their old parents well, he said some group require such kind of facility.

He further suggested proper planning from now to assist older people.

The chairperson of GSWS Neithonuo Liegise said that the programme was organised to “thank the older persons for what they have given to us and making us who we are today and also because we respect our older citizens.”

He urged everyone to help, love and respect them.

The chairman of Ngwalwa village council, Heigwang Rao also acknowledged the organisers for taking care of them and organising such programme. He mentioned that there are over 100 older citizens in the village but all of them could not attend the programme.

Meanwhile, the directorate of Social Welfare celebrated the International Day of Older Persons 2020 in its office on October 1 on the theme “Pandemics: Do they change how we address age and ageing.”

Speaking on the occasion, president of the Senior Citizens’ Association Nagaland (SCAN), Khekiye K Sema, said the Social Welfare department is an important department towards the uplift and protecting the welfare of the older people. While stating that senior citizens have much to contribute towards the society with their years of experiences, he lamented that very less opportunity are given to them, a DIPR report stated on Thursday.

Sema also stated that Naga society is blessed to have strong customs and traditions whereby they could take care of the older people who are helpless and need care. He also reminded the younger generations to keep the traditions alive and take care of the elderly people.

Sema further urged the department to create a social order and norms to improve the welfare services and well-being of the senior citizen and the society as a whole.

On the occasion, the department gave away awards to two distinguished senior citizens commemorating the event.

In a similar programme, Meluri sub-division in Phek district observed the International Day of Older Persons at Meluri Village Council hall on October 1, organised by Müluori Shefüri Kügharü.

Z Nyusietho Nyuthe, who was the guest speaker, has emphasised on how older people paved the way for the young. He encouraged the senior citizens to be content with their lives and not hold on to grudges and mistakes.

The speaker expressed happiness that there was no history regarding the contraction of Covid-19 among the Meluri elderly people.

Out of the total 138 older people above 75 years in the sub-division, 91 including 44 male and 47 females attended the programme.

The keynote address was delivered by Porütho Ngouri, CDPO Meluri, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Nyuletho Nyuthe. The program was chaired by MSK president Kuothosie.

GSWS inaugurates home for older people in Ngwalwa

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Oct 1 (EMN): Senior Citizen’s Home in Ngwalwa under Peren district was inaugurated by the director of Social Welfare department, Atoli Sumi on Thursday. The home will be managed by the Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS), Kohima.

Speaking at the function, the chairperson of GSWS, Kohima, Neithonuo Liegise, stated that the Senior Citizen’s Home at Ngwalwa was part of the ministry’s extension programme. It informed that the rest house of the village has been modified and allotted for years as Senior Citizen’s Home. Liegise also updated that they plan to open a senior citizen home in Tuensang too.

The guest of honour, Atoli Sumi, lauded the GSWS for doing a great job and extending its mission to other districts. She expressed confidence that senior citizens would be benefitted through the ministry.

Pastor Mhasiselie Theűnuo said the dedicatory prayer. Free medical check-up was also provided at the newly inaugurated senior citizen’s home by medical officials including Dr. Tia and Dr. Joyce Angami.