Kohima, September 30 (MExN): With the theme 'Take a stand against ageism' this year’s United Nations International Day of Older Persons (October 1) is saying no to ageism and highlighting the important contributions by elderly to society and raise awareness of the issues and challenges of ageing in today’s world.
The Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya on the occasion made a call “to challenge our self to consider ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age and the detrimental impact it has on older people.”
Saying that both young and old play an important role in the society as well as in family life, the Governor said, “They are the asset of the society and should be taken care of properly. Elders have been working for years together so they have vast wealth of knowledge, skills and experiences, they have lived through situations others cannot even imagine, and yet we dismiss these lifetimes of experiences when they begin to need love, care and support.”
“Today let us rededicate our self to the pressing demands of the young and the elderly by creating public awareness through promotional material in schools, institutions, offices and public places. Let us make an environment which is user friendly for the elderly persons in public places, public transportations, hospitals, banks etc,” the Governor exhorted in his message.
Also adding that older persons’ rich experience and service should be a big capital for any society and they are assets and liability, the Governor added, “We need to have more libraries, health care centre, parks, etc. for the older people and also proper respect for older people.”
“During this International Day for Older Persons, me and my wife with a heart full of love wishes all the elderly persons throughout the state a very healthy and peaceful life,” concluded the message from the Governor.
