World Elders Day is today
October 1, 20242 Mins Read

Jumbangla Desk: People are not born old. Life begins in childhood and ends in old age. In both these stages people need some extra care. Although almost every child has the opportunity to grow up in the utmost maternal love, many are deprived of the care they need in old age.

Today is the 34th 'World Day of Older Persons'. On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe the International Day of Older Persons on October 1 every year. In the light of this landmark decision, the day has been celebrated in Bangladesh since 1991, like all over the world.

This year the theme of the day is 'Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Elderly Care and Support Systems Globally'.

On the occasion of the day, President Md. Sahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus gave a message with sincere greetings to the senior citizens of the country.

In his speech, the President said, the contribution of the elders in the progress of civilization is undeniable. The number of elderly people is increasing day by day in Bangladesh like all over the world due to the progress of medical science and development of socio-economic conditions.

He said, concerned parties should try to use modern information technology to ensure the proper welfare of the elderly population and so that they can get the facilities of digital technology and technical equality.

Dr. chief advisor in the speech. Muhammad Yunus sincerely congratulated the senior citizens of the country and said that as a result of the great improvement in medical science, increasing health awareness, improving the quality of nutrition and health services, the death rate of people in the world has decreased, as well as the average life expectancy of people has increased. For the same reason, the number of elderly people in Bangladesh has increased at a significant rate. Article 15(d) of the Constitution of Bangladesh mentions the provision of social security for the elderly.

Department of Social Services has taken various programs to celebrate the day. The programs include rallies, discussion meetings, publication of special brochures in national newspapers, sending of SMS on the status of senior citizens through mobile operators, promotion in electronic media , mass promotion initiatives through social media.

Today at 10:30 a.m., a rally will be held from Agargaon Senior Philanthropic Association to Social Services Directorate. Under the leadership of Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid, the Secretary of the Ministry, the officers and employees of the Department of Social Services, senior citizens and representatives of various organizations working in senior welfare will participate in this rally. At the end of the rally, the director general of the Department of Social Services. The discussion meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Abu Saleh Mustafa Kamal.