In order to observe National Senior Citizens day, an awareness programme was today organised at Mini Secretariat Bandipora.The programme was organises by the Department of social welfare under the supervision of District Social Welfare Officer Ubaid ul Khazir.
Officers and officials from the Social welfare department and senior citizens besides sectoral officers attended the programme. During the programme speakers threw light on various senior citizen schemes highlighting the steps taken by the Government to ease the life of senior citizens.
The day witnesses various activities like speeches about Senior Citizens, Role of Elderline, Free Medical Camp, Free visit to a nearby park, distribution of old age sticks etc. The event started with a welcome note in regional language by Mehnaza Rasool, who hosted the dice during the event.
Speaking on the occasion DSWO Bandipora Ubaid ul Khazir deliberated about the importance of National Senior Citizens Day. Ubaid ul Khazir in his speech said, "Each year, August 21 is celebrated as World Senior Citizens’ Day. It is also known as National Senior Citizens' Day.
The day is observed with the intent to highlight the contributions of elderly people in human society and to honour them.He said, the day is also celebrated to bring attention to various issues that affect the elderly people, such as health issues and abuse by younger people, family or outsiders.
"Many elderly people report being abused by their children. Many others suffer neglect, he added. DSWO said, many consider their elderly parents a burden or harm them for their property. Such crimes need to be rooted out, he stressed.
World Senior Citizens’ Day is a significant event that helps us highlight and address these issues for social healing," DSWO added while expressing sympathy to the elders.Jameela Akhter, JKSWM Coordinator, highlighted the role of Senior Citizens and their significance.
Jameela in her speech said, “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today, and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honour of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land."“For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute.
We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older, places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity”. These words have withstood the test of time she added.
During the event, Nazir Ahmad, a senior citizen also briefed the audience about respecting senior citizens and their values. Mumtaz Ahmad, Official of Social Welfare Department Bandipora, highlighted the role of Senior Citizens Homes and other elder schemes being implemented by the UT and the central government.
He highlighted various schemes which are being implemented through the Social Welfare Department. The day witnessed a mega free medical camp for elderly persons arranged and organised by the Social Welfare Department and Department of Health in which free health check up for the elderly persons were provided with expert health advises.The importance of Elderline was also shared with the audience.
It was highlighted that the intent of ‘Elder Line’ is to provide all senior citizens, or their well-wishers, with ONE platform across the country to connect and share their concerns, get information and guidance on problems that they face on a day-to-day basis, without having to struggle for it.
During the occasion, the senior citizens were taken to a nearby health resort park - Nishat Park Bandipora for amusement and entertainment. Sticks were also distributed among the senior citizen participants by the department of social welfare. During the occasion, a warm vote of thanks to all the participants were cordially presented by Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Miss Nuzhat.