India to celebrate World Day of Older Persons on Oct 1

Once again the world is going to remember older persons on October 1st –the day when International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) is celebrated globally. The theme for 2008 “Rights of Older Persons” is chosen to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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The plan to promote the independence, participation and dignity of older persons was embedded and implemented six years ago at the Madrid International Plan of Action on ageing to “eliminate all forms of discrimination, including age discrimination”.

The nations observed that a person irrespective of ages has the right to enjoy a life of fulfilment, health, security and active participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life of their societies. The members at the world convention also determined to “enhance the recognition of the dignity of older persons and to eliminate all forms of neglect, abuse and violence.”

Various welfare programmes are organised across the world on this occasion. The New York NGO Committee on Ageing in cooperation with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Department of Public Information will celebrate the day by organising various programmes at UN headquarters on October 2.

In India a series of celebration that will kick off on October 1 will come to an end on October 17.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has planned a series of events to endorse its commitment for the welfare of the older persons and highlight its efforts. On the eve of the Day, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Meera Kumar will address a Meeting of National Council of Older Persons (NCOP), which administers the operationalisation of provisions under the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP).

The NPOP was adopted in 1999 to recognise the requirements for financial security, health, nutrition, education, right to life and property and need-based care of older persons.

At the NCOP, discussions will be held on the progress on the implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and the revised grant-in aid scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons.

The 17-day long celebration will be kicked off on October 1 with a walkathon at India Gate in the morning being organising by the Ministry.

Thousands of elder people like the previous years will participate in this event. The event this year is, however, different from earlier ones as elder people from different states will participate this year giving it an all India character.

On 13th October, another cultural event under the theme “Celebrating Graceful Ageing—life begins at 60” will be organised. Some renowned artistes of the country comprising Debu Chaudhary (Sitar), Ustad Fahimuddin Dagar (Dhrupad) and Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan (Bharatnatyam) will display their art.

The series of celebrations will come to an end on October 17 with a grand finale of “Vayo Shreshtha Samman” (award for older persons) that provides us an opportunity to respect elder people and recognise the fact that still have lots to contribute. The closing ceremony will also feature a play “Wapsi Ke Baad” that highlights the inter-generational gap and underlines the need for a compassionate understanding of the old age.