The International Day of Older Persons, 2018 was held under the aegis of the social Welfare Department at Multipurpose Hall at Khuman Lampak in Imphal East District on Monday.
State Chief Minister N Biren singh, Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Education minister Th Radheshyam attended as chief guest, functional president and guest of honour.
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Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister N Biren said the government is in active consideration to introduce an arrangement in which elderly persons whose age is 80 years and above may send their nominees to withdraw their pension on his/her behalf.
Stating that persons, who do not give love, care and respect to their parents and elderly persons will never succeed in life, he said the State Government had already cautioned its employees that they may face legal action if they do not properly treat old people properly adding that the government receives many complaints of ill treatment of older persons during Meeyamgi Numit and Hill leaders day.
He also urged the gathering to ensure that the elderly people may lead a secured, dignified and productive life.
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In her speech, minister Nemcha Kipgen said that serving elderly persons is like serving the Almighty adding there are 15 Old Age Homes run by different NGOs under Social Welfare Department in the State.
Education minister Radheshyam said that the older persons need to be given proper care and love by their children and younger people so that they may lead a jubilant life till their death.
Later, the dignitaries also honoured selected elderly persons by presenting gifts. A medical camp for elderly persons was also organized in coordination with Directorate of Health Services as part of the celebration at the function venue.
A group of children, who attended the function, were also administered pledge of giving love, care and respect to elderly persons and parents at the function. The number aged over 60 who are physically, psychologically or financially persecuted at home every year is projected to reach 14.3 crores in the country by the 2021 against 1.98 crores in 1951.
The Chief Minister and other ministers also presented blankets to the older persons.
The state government currently provides old age pension of Rs 200 to around 1 lakh older persons in the state every month. A monthly financial support of Rs 1000 each to 300 homeless older persons who stays in old age homes were also given.