KOHIMA/DIMAPUR — Chief Secretary J Alam said on Sunday that senior citizens are not a burden on society but rather the strength of it.
He was addressing the observance of the International Day of Older Persons held at Hotel Japfü, Kohima, and organised by the department of Social Welfare.
Alam said there is a projection that by 2050, the global population of elderly people will double, reaching 2.1 billion, constituting 22% of the total world population.
He noted that the world population is now 7.9 billion, with 1.1 billion people aged 60 and up accounting for 13.9% of the total. India's population is 1.3 billion, with 1.9 million people aged 60 and up accounting for 10.5%.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]As for Nagaland, it had a population of 19,78,505 according to the 2011 census, of which 1,02,736 were 60 years of age and older, constituting 5.19% of the population.
He asserted that the proportion of elderly people in India has been steadily increasing in recent years and that this trend is expected to continue in the coming decades. He also added that the percentage of the population aged 60 and above is projected to rise from 10.5% to 20.8% in 2050.
Alam viewed that with the strong community and family, the culture of abandoning senior citizens is not there in Nagaland; however, he cautioned that as society progresses with nuclear families, challenges are there and stressed the need to be prepared.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Further, he highlighted and reiterated the benefits of the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme and called upon the older persons to get themselves registered so as to take care of their health requirements.
Earlier, Martha R Ritse, secretary, department of Social Welfare, delivered the keynote address, highlighting that in Nagaland, there are 51,750 beneficiaries of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme under NSAP who are paid INR 200 per month and 5,650 beneficiaries who are paid INR 500 per month.
She also mentioned that there are five senior citizen homes run by various implementing agencies where senior citizens can find shelter, as well as a few day care centres managed by private organisations.
She emphasised the maintenance and welfare of parents, as well as the Senior Citizens Act of 2007, which empowers senior citizens, including parents, to file for maintenance against children or any or all relatives.
On the occasion, Distinguished Senior Citizens Awards were presented to four persons.
At the state level, Dr. Hokishie Yeputhomi and S P Ellen Konyak were awarded INR 20,000 each and citations, while at the district level, Nosato Zao and Khrieliehuu Pfukha were awarded INR 10,000 each and citations.
Sukhalu urges equitable society
Senior Citizen Association Zunheboto district unit, in collaboration with the Social Welfare department and the legal services authority, observed International Day of Older Persons on Sunday at VDB hall, Zunheboto, on the theme 'resilience of older persons in a changing world’.
K Tokugha Sukhalu, advisor for Food and Civil Supplies and LMCP, attended the programme as the special guest, according to a DIPR report.
Speaking on the occasion, Sukhalu advised everyone to come together to celebrate the contribution of their seniors, stating that they are an integral part of their lives and have shaped them.
He also urged everyone to use the day to reflect on the challenges and issues that senior citizens face, to be more aware of the needs of elders, to strive to create an environment of respect, understanding, and care, to create a more inclusive and equitable society for seniors, and to ensure that seniors can live with dignity, joy, and fulfilment.
He stressed that International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the importance of older people in society, as well as to raise awareness about the challenges that older people may face in terms of access to healthcare, social security, and other services.
The day is also intended to highlight the need for policies and legislation that protect the rights of older people and ensure their well-being, he said.
He stated that in the past, people donated large areas of land for the progress of the district, but development is now hampered or impossible due to a lack of land. He therefore asked seniors to educate others and donate or give land whenever required by the government for development purposes.
EAC Hq. Moplin, in his short speech, thanked the seniors of Zunheboto district for building the district and making it possible for them to come and run the administration with peace and ease. He also asked the seniors to continue to support the administration, as they need their wisdom and support all the time.
Easter H Yeptho, retainer lawyer, Zunheboto, spoke in her short speech about the various rights and facilities for older persons.
Social Welfare dept. honours senior citizens
Commemorating International Day of Older Persons, the Social Welfare department honoured two senior citizens, namely Rev. Thilihe Yeptho and Oreno Murrie, for their distinguished contribution to society during a programme held at AWTC, Diphupar, on October 1.
The programme began with an invocation prayer said by Kevineinuo Rio, CDPO of Medziphema, while the significance of the day was delivered by Keneikesangulie Zumu, district welfare officer of Dimapur.
An update from the department stated that the award recipients also spoke during the programme.
Altogether, about 60 senior citizens from various communities attended the programme.
Observances at senior citizen homes
The Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS) Kohima observed International Day of Older Persons in three senior citizen homes in the Longleng, Peren, and Kohima districts, according to a press release.
Neithonuo Liegise, chairperson of GSWS and programme manager of Elderline Nagaland, a national helpline for senior citizens, extended best wishes to all senior citizens and urged younger generations and children to show respect and kindness to elders in words and deeds.
She said on the occasion that the government should bring basic facilities and an elderly welfare programme into effective implementation in the state and mentioned that Elderline 14567 has distributed t-shirts to senior citizens to create awareness about the national helpline for senior citizens.
The International Day of Older Persons was observed at the senior citizen home at Ngwalwa, Peren, with Dr. Tiakala Walling, SMO Peren, as the special guest.
Dr. Ramdeu Lungalang and his team of nurses held a free medical camp for senior citizens on the occasion.