Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 1
Retired Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir today underlined the need to evolve policies for the participation of older persons in the socio-economic development of the State.
Alemtemshi observed that there has been an increasing rise in the percentage of population of older persons in urban areas across the State. He said that people in service sectors, public administration, including the church workers, who stay in towns do not go back to their villages after their retirement, and thus lead to the increase of the population of older persons in urban areas.
“We have to evolve policies for their (Older persons in urban areas) participation in the socio-economic development of the State,” Alemtemshi said while addressing the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) at Zonal Council Hall, Kohima.
The programme in the State capital was organized by the Department of Social Welfare under the theme, “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment.”
The former chief secretary also went on to say that, in Nagaland “our category of older persons can make a big difference even in the ongoing political peace process, such as the peace accord between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.”
Speaking to a host of older persons as the chief guest, Jamir stressed upon the important role that older persons play in their families, communities and societies. “Aging is not a problem, but an achievement,” said Jamir, while he maintained that the traditional views on what it means to be old have changed.
“Older persons now have many more opportunities to keep contributing to the society beyond any set retirement age. Where older persons were sometimes seen as a burden to the society, they are now increasingly recognized as an asset that can and should be tapped,” he remarked.
“The invaluable roles that older persons play in all societies are not only as caregivers but also as leaders and volunteers. They also are often the repository of knowledge, social history, traditions, customs and practices which play a pivotal role in the determination of the identity of a society as also the basis of its morals and ethics,” Jamir added.
“The whole world stands to gain from an empowered older generation, with the potential to make tremendous contributions to the development process and to the work of building more productive, peaceful and sustainable societies,” he said.
Jamir also maintained that there has been a steady increase in human longevity worldwide and it represents one of the greatest social, economic and political transformations of our time. Average life expectancy at birth has increased from 46 years to 66 years since 1950; he said adding that in Nagaland it is 75 years.
“It should be our endeavour that together we ensure that people live not only longer lives, but better, more enriching, rewarding and fulfilling lives,” Jamir said.
General Secretary of Nagaland Senior Citizens Association (NSCA), S. Ghunakha Swu, while highlighting on matters that warrants urgent attention, pressed the State government to look into the matter at the earliest, so that the rights and privileges which the older persons ought to receive are given to them.
He pressed the need that all destitute and indigent poor senior citizens who do not get National Old Age Pension should be provided monthly annapurna rice as per guideline. He also suggested that medical treatment concession and separate queue for senior citizens outdoor patient be provided while geriatric clinic and cataract operation camp should be held at least once a week for the patients of older persons.
NSCA general secretary also pressed upon that NST bus travelers fares be extended to senior citizens as being provided by all other states corporate buses, while he stressed the urgent need for providing Old Age Homes in all the districts.
OSD Social Welfare Kewe-ü Kenye dwelled on the theme of the occasion.
On the occasion, two octogenarians - Miss Beilieü Shüya, president of Nagaland Prayer Fellowship and Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh, general secretary of Naga Baptist Association, were honoured with the State’s Distinguished Senior Citizens award.
Earlier, before the commencement of the main function, hundreds of older persons, above 60 years, along with the chief guest and other dignitaries participated in the walkathon starting from Old MLA junction - Razhü Point - Zonal Hall.
They held placards, some of which read: “Our older persons are our books”, “The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes”, “Come and celebrate with us and be blessed”, “Please care for us”, and “Long live our elders”.
