The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on 1 October every year globally, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1990.

According to the UN, the size of the older population in all regions of the world is projected to increase between 2019 and 2050. Eastern and South-Eastern Asia is projected to see the largest increase: “growing from 261 million in 2019 to 573 million in 2050.”

For the first time in history, there were more persons aged 65 or above than children under five years of age worldwide in 2018, as showed in data from World Population Prospects: the 2019 Revision.

The UN states that population ageing is considered to “become one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century” and could have implications for almost all sectors of society.

The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated every year to highlight the contributions of older people and also address the issues of ageing in order to ensure a supportive environment for all sections of society.

Here in Nagaland, the International Day of Older Persons was observed in various places across the state today under the theme ‘The Resilience and contributions of Older Women’.

KOHIMA

International Day of Older Persons in Kohima. (Photo credit: DIPR)

The Department of Social Welfare organized the event at Highland Park, Kohima.

Noke Wangnao, Advisor, Social Welfare, Home Guards & Civil Defence, was the special guest. He said being able to live a long life is a blessing, and urged the officers and staff of the social welfare department to work sincerely for the welfare of society.

Martha R Ritse, Commissioner & Secretary, stated that this year’s theme serves as a reminder of the significant role older women play in traversing global challenges and contributing to their solutions with resilience and fortitude.

Ritse informed that as per the 2011 census, the elderly population of Nagaland stands at 1,39,494 or roughly 7% of the total population of the state. Assuming that this proportion remains constant over the next 15 years, the Nagaland Vision 2030 projects the number of old age people to increase to approximately 2.23 lakhs by 2030, she added.

Ritse said the COVID-19 pandemic has made everyone aware of the socio-economic, environmental, health and climate-related impacts on the lives of older persons. She informed that the Department of Social Welfare has social security benefits in place for the aged and vulnerable, and these are provided through various National Social Assistance programmes.

During the occasion, the state-level distinguished senior citizens award was presented to Dr Joyce Zinyu Angami and Prof Talitsuba Alinger.

Dr Joyce is a doctor by profession who is involved with many NGOs and organizations. She has worked in the United Kingdom as Senior House Officer & Registrar in Gynae/ Obstetrics and Venereology and served as NGO Advisor, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society among many other roles. Currently, Dr Joyce is the President of Nagaland State Medical Council, Executive Director of Society for the Welfare of Children Affected by HIV and AIDS, and Medical Officer, ODIC Kripa Foundation.

Prof Talitsuba Alinger is an educator who served as a lecturer and later as a professor in history at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung. He also served as the Director of School Education and SCERT.

The district-level distinguished senior citizens award for Kohima district was presented to Vizosul Luho of Khuzama village and Vitole Sothu of Viswema village.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Joyce Zinyu Angami expressed gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare for recognizing her work by bestowing the award on her. She said that it was her passion and her calling to work for society, especially the marginalized and chemical abused people of the society.

Prof Talitsuba Alinger in his speech urged the senior citizens to strive for the cause of the people with their vast experiences and lessons of the past.

A health mela was also conducted by the Department of Health & Family Welfare where the senior citizens were provided free medical services.

LONGLENG

International Day of Older Persons in Longleng. (Photo credit: DIPR)

The event was organized at PBCA Hall Longleng with Deputy Commissioner Longleng Dharam Raj, IAS, as the special guest.

The award for senior citizens for 2021-2022 was presented to Nyangpen Phom from Tangha village and Pukyung Phom from Hukpang village.

The DC of Longleng gave a speech in which he called for people to acknowledge the contributions made by older people.

He said young people of today’s generation have neglected to develop the value of sharing thoughts and time with elderly people focusing instead on matters which would disappear with age.

He requested the youths not to ignore the words of wisdom given by parents and older people. He also requested the gathering to disseminate their lifetime knowledge and experience to the younger generation which would give resilience to society and civilization.

“Older people are the source of knowledge for us because it is only they who know about tribal customs and culture,” Raj added.

The DC also informed the gathering about Elder Line 14567, the helpline for senior citizens.

He said the Department of Social Welfare was striving their best to introduce all the schemes accessible at Longleng. The Longleng district Senior Citizens Association had a long discussion to introduce schemes to enhance the condition of the old people, he informed.

At the end of his speech, he acknowledged all the elderly people who had come to attend the programme and requested them to continually support the young people.

Elung Phom, President Longleng district Senior Citizens Forum, delivered the vote of thanks.

MOKOKCHUNG

International Day of Older Persons in Mokokchung. (Photo credit: DIPR)

Held at Ongpangkong Salang in Mokokchung, the event was organized by the District Welfare Office in collaboration with the office of Chief Medical Officer Mokokchung.

The Distinguished Senior Citizen Award was presented to Dr Tiameren Ao and Temsula Lemtur.

Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh IAS, addressed the gathering as the special guest. Stating that a society comprises of different sections of people with different requirements and attention for their needs, he said the elderly citizens in society need special attention for their overall well-being. To meet these challenges, the government of India has come up with various schemes to assist the elderly citizen, the DC said. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is one such scheme to provide assistive devices to the elder citizen, he added.

During the programme, token distribution of assistive devices under the RVY scheme was also given away to the beneficiaries.

A medical camp was also held for the elderly to mark the occasion.

TUENSANG

International Day of Older Persons in Tuensang. (Photo credit: DIPR)

Organized by the District Welfare Department, the event was celebrated at Town Hall Tuensang.

The Health and Family Welfare department conducted a special health camp while the DLSA and Judicial Magistrate conducted free legal advice for the older persons with new registration for Aadhaar Cards also carried out on the spot.

T Amenla Sangtam was awarded the oldest lady and Longkhangba Yimkhiung was awarded oldest man in the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, special guest Deputy Commissioner Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant suggested the day be called International Wiser Persons Day to avoid the negative connotations of the celebration. He appreciated the welfare department for coming up with a convergence programme that offered support for medical and legal concerns and Aadhaar registration. The DC also appreciated the strong community fabric of Nagas which gives better treatment to the older section of people. He advised those in attendance to follow the age-old traditions without abandoning it.

Cheliam Khiamniungan, Secretary DSLA cum Judicial Magistrate First Class Tuensang, presented an awareness speech on ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act 2007’ where she highlighted the jurisdictions of this act which guarantees legal rights and its remedial power exclusively for the senior and aged citizens of the country.

Impongsoted, President UTELU, in his short speech, spoke on the idea of making ID cards for senior citizens. He also requested the Deputy Commissioner for the allotment of one office cabin for UTELU on completion of the newly constructed DC Office Building.

PEREN

International Day of Older Persons in Peren. (Photo credit: DIPR)

Held at GB’s Hall, Peren Town, two distinguished senior citizens namely – Dineu Ndang (85 years) and Wepenyi-U Ndang (90 years) – from Peren district were given awards by the Social Welfare Department in recognition of their contribution to society.

Special Guest, ADC Peren, Keyirangding Hegui acknowledged the elderly people for their contribution towards imparting social values which is much needed for the younger generation.

Apeuna Iheilung also shared a message on life experiences.

MELURI

International Day of Older Persons in Meluri. (Photo credit: DIPR)

The event was organized by the Meluri Village Council.

Chiilekhu Nyusou, VCM Meluri, expressed happiness on seeing a large number of older people present in the Meluri Area. He urged the older people to live beautiful and contented lives and to show a good example to the younger generations. He further wished them good health and long life.

Altogether, there are 155 older persons in the Meluri area including 82 males and 73 females. Among the 155 older persons, there are 92 octogenarians – 42 males and 50 females – and 24 nonagenarians – 7 males and 17 females.

The programme was attended by VCMs of Meluri and well-wishers including 110 older persons among the total 155 older persons in the Meluri area.