The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee today presented National Awards “Vayoshreshtha Samman” to senior citizens in a function organized by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment here today. Highlighting the role of the Older Persons in the society, Shri Mukherjee said that the International Day of Older Persons is an occasion to focus renewed attention on issues relating to the older people. There is a need to sensitize various strata of the society towards the challenges being faced by the elderly people, he emphasized.Stressing on the due care of the senior citizens through various socio economic measure, the President said that the Indian tradition of respecting and caring for elders has been passed on from generations. “We must not let this socio-cultural asset of our wither away. Facilities to provide institutional care to needy elderly persons must be established in sufficient numbers”. Shri Mukherjeee said in the backdrop of changing socio-economic conditions, the effectiveness and efficacy of these laws have to be evaluated.
On the occasion Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment said that the Government has taken a number of initiatives for the welfare of senior citizens. Programmes and Policies are being reframed with this purpose. He said that the National Awards are intended to show case the Government’s concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society.
Welcoming the President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot. Shri Vijay Sampla, MoS, SJE said that the Awards showcase the Government’s concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their place in the society and encourage their outstanding contribution for the welfare the senior citizens.The National Awards for senior citizen – Vaysohreshtha Samman are presented every year. Following were the awardees for the year 2015.Present on the occasion were Shri Vijay Sampla, MoS, SJE, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, MoS, SJE, Smt. Anita Agnihotri, Secretary, SJE on other senior officials of the Ministry.