Nagaland celebrates International Day of Older Persons 2024

Call for ensuring comfort, respect, dignity of elderly persons

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 1

Nagaland today joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Day of Older Persons 2024 under the theme “Ageing with Dignity” at NBCC Convention Hall, Kohima.

In a state level celebration organised by Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland, Yesonu Veyie and Abeni TCK were conferred with Distinguished Senior Citizens Award 2024. Special gift has also been accorded to all the senior citizens at the celebration.

Addressing the celebration, Wangpang Konyak, Advisor, Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland said “We gather here not just to celebrate the elderly but to underscore a commitment to their dignity and well-being.”

“In Nagaland, as in many parts of the world, our elderly are the bearers of our culture, the custodians of our traditions, and the living history of our society,” he said.

He said that ageing with dignity is not a mere slogan, but also a call to action.

Stating that people seek the opinion, advice and guidance of the retired seniors in the departmental/ administration especially when it comes to pressing and concerning matters, Wangpang said “We should continue to do so in days to come and that shows our appreciation of their experience and knowledge.”

Stating that the elderly persons have taught “us life's lessons, instilled values, and provided the emotional and physical support that has built our society, he said “Today, we must pledge to return that support, ensuring they live their later years in comfort, respect, and dignity.”

Describing the elderly persons as the greatest treasure of the family, society and the nation, the advisor said “They have an immense ocean of knowledge, experience and wisdom which serve as a guiding light for the younger generation in particular.”

He encouraged all the Senior Citizens of Nagaland especially to involve more actively in addressing the various issues faced today “because the wisdom of elderly is precious, time tested and valuable in striving ahead and taking our state forward.”

“Let us  advocate for more inclusive public spaces, better healthcare services tailored for the elderly, amenities for their comfort and educational programs that teach respect and understanding across generations,” he said.

Let us work together to ensure that every older person in Nagaland ages with the dignity they deserve, surrounded by love,' respect, and the active participation in our community life, he said adding let's together forge a future where age brings not just wisdom, but also the dignity it rightly deserves.”

Seven more senior citizen homes in Nagaland
Martha R Ritse, secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland informed that the objective of the celebration of International Day of Older Persons is to promote awareness about the ageing population, and to encourage societies to develop systems that support older persons in living fulfilling and active lives.

This year's UN theme is, “Ageing with Dignity: the importance of strengthening care and support systems for older persons worldwide.”

She said the experts around the world have been working on formulating policies, legislation and practices that will strengthen the care and support systems for older persons; correspondingly, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has already initiated and conducted few national workshops across the country to strengthen senior citizen care in India.

According to UN, by 2030, older persons are projected to outnumber youth globally, with the increase most rapid in developing countries.

This has therefore, given rise to the urgency of having a robust system to meet the ever growing demand for comprehensive geriatric care-giving services, Ritse said adding “Keeping this in mind, the Department of Social Welfare has taken the initiative to collaborate with interested parties to train unemployed youth in Geriatric Care-Giving, through which care-giving services will be made accessible to those who are in need of such services, and also create employment opportunities for the unemployed youth.”

Stating that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI also envisages to establish Senior Citizens' Home in all the districts to protect/shelter abandoned Senior Citizens, she said that the department has forwarded 7 new applicants for opening of Senior Citizen Homes in 7 districts besides 5 existing homes across the state.

Senior citizens are source of wisdom & stability
Ritse maintained that senior citizens are a source of wisdom and stability, adding that “They are our history bearers, guardians of knowledge, culture and traditions, with immense experiences of a lifetime and incredible resilience.”

Growing older is known to be a new stage of opportunities - opportunities to be a guide, mentor, and teacher, and the strength and anchor to younger people in need of such support.

Stating that senior citizens truly deserve to live a “dignified life,” Ritse called upon all stakeholders and individuals to put our heads together and explore ways to create a safe and dignified environment for older persons to have the most productive and enjoyable life and ensure that the “Age with Dignity.”

Speaking on behalf of Senior Citizens Association of Nagaland (SCAN), Deo Nukhu said, “On this important occasion, let us all look back upon our past memories and recollect how God loved us and granted long life to many of us. Let us also retrospect on all the good achievements we have made. As elders of the society, the younger generation will expect our guidance and elderly advice about the past history, culture, traditions, language, etc.”

In this moment, he asked “Are we able to meet the expectations of the younger generation? Can we give the right guidance and advice based on our own life experiences? Are we looking up to God to help us live a cheerful life, and not be a burden to them?’ We may show signs of ageing, but let us move forward with life. Ageing or getting old is not something to fear, but we can always count on God to protect us, Nukhu added.

The celebration was chaired by Tosheli Zhimomi, Director, Social Welfare Nagaland while vote of thanks was proposed by T Neingusalie, Deputy Director, Social Welfare, Nagaland.