The Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh V.P.Singh Badnore today flagged off a Marathon organised by the Chandigarh Chapter of HelpAge India from outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan to mark the celebrations of International Day of Older persons,More than 400 school children and 150 Senior Citizens walked together to show the importance of intergenerational bonding. The school children in their school uniforms were carrying the placards and slogans of commitment to extend all possible respect to the elders.School children from DAV Public School Sector 8, Ryan International School, Sector 49 and Mohali and Banyan Tree School Chandigarh along with their grandparents and residents of Akal Old Age Home, Ratwara Sahib Chandigarh were a part of the Walkathon. The researchers and students from the department of Public Health Punjab University Chandigarh also participated.
According to Bhavneshwar Sharma, State Head, (Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana & Jammu & Kashmir), HelpAge India, the Walkathon was aimed at highlighting various emergent social issues such as the disintegration of the joint family system, migration and urbanization in India is posing a challenge on the ‘care of the elderly’ and further widening the gap between the young and old. HelpAge SAVE – Student Action for Value Education campaign, focuses mainly on sensitizing school children & youth on ageing issues early in life, so that they treat their elderly with love, respect & care, prepare today’s children & youth for their own old age and create an age friendly society.Giving statistics the HelpAge said there is an estimated 100 million elderly population of which 55 million sleep hungry, 90% have to work for their livelihood. We have been advocating for the last few years on a Universal Pension (minimum Rs. 2000/-PM) for all older people in the country which may give our elderly a decent life in their sunset years. With such a pension elders can live somehow without falling into destitution.Ms. Arti Tikoo, Dy. Director, Mr. Ashok Patiyal, Advocacy Officer, Mr. Kamal Sharma, State Program Manager, Ms. Nishu Saini, Counsellor and Ms. Asha Rani from HelpAge India, Chandigarh were present in the event.