Mukul Wasnik asks senior citizens to exert their rights

Ministerial action on 22 Oct 09

Mukul Wasnik asks senior citizens to exert their rights

As the elderly population is on the rise and will soon be of considerable size of the total population, Mukul Wasnik, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment urged the senior citizens to exert their rights for their due place in the society. While inaugurating a Multi Activity Programme “ Reinventing Retirement through Active Ageing organized by National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Anugraha, he informed that the elderly population in India which was 7.7 crore, as per Census 2001, is projected to be around 9.5 crore in 2011, here on Thursday. He further added that the proportion of elderly in the total population has been increasing in all the countries. In India, it is projected to further go up to 17.3 crore in 2026. Rise in the share of elderly in total population poses multiple challenges. These challenges, however, also come with great opportunities, like for the younger generation, who can utilize the vast repository of knowledge that our elderly possess. Simultaneously, our senior citizens too have to think of ways to creatively and usefully occupy themselves.

Mukul Wasnik said that the enactment of “The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007” has been a major milestone to provide for maintenance, shelter, health and security of senior citizens in the country. Wasnik asked the youth to come forward to celebrate such events as there is a need for in depth sensitivity to reach elderly in order to give them their due respect and sense of connectivity. He urged different organisations that such kind of events should also be celebrated at State and district levels so that all can participate.

The Minister also inaugurated Multi Service Exhibition on Age Care which was followed by a session on Healthy Ageing and Seminar on “Reinventing Retirement through Active Ageing”. The programme concluded with the Intergenerational Cultural Programme which had performances by senior folk artists. Elderly and young artists staged ballet, drama, song and dance sequences from different States of the country. From vibrant bhangra of Punjab to colourful Kalberia dance of Rajasthan, from Chhau dance of Orissa to martial arts of North East, the programme conveyed an important message that elders are custodians of ancient Indian culture and heritage. Apart from Secretary, K M Acharya and other senior officials of the Ministry, Abha Chaudhary, Founder Secretary, Anugraha also attended the function.

Courtesy: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment release