Under the supervision of Chief Justice J&K High Court, Gita Mittal, J&K State Legal Services Authority on Thursday organised an online programme on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons.
A statement said the programme was held under the guidance of executive Chairman of J&KSLSA, Justice Rajesh Bindal and in association with Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and RRTC Anugraha.
In her address, Chief Justice, who is also Patron-in-Chief J&KSLSA emphasized the importance of celebrating the Day which reminds people of their duties towards the senior generation.
“It enables us to celebrate their existence on a global platform while taking care of their needs especially in the societies where senior generation is either abandoned or reduced to the status of a side-help at home for working couples,” the Chief Justice said.
The Chief Justice lauded the role of five Ahaata-e-Wqaar Centres, established within a period of two years in J&K and Ladakh, as places of dignity with recreational and reading facilities, police and legal aid desks, medical facilities.
She also laid stress on identifying special groups among senior generation with special and specific needs.
Justice Bindal, in his address, described age as just being a number while emphasizing upon change of mindset while referring to the senior citizens as “old” and instead substituting the term as “experienced”.
Rajiv Chandra, Officer at United Nations, read out the message of Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of United Nations, on the occasion of 30th anniversary of the Day.
MK Sharma, member-Secretary, J&KSLSA described ageing as an inevitable process which is transitioning from ageing with wisdom to ageing with dignity.
Dr Aabha Chaudhary, Chairperson Anugraha, shared the best practices towards “Ageing with dignity” through video presentation, highlighting the positive and productive initiatives and activities by members of “Swabhiman Parisar” Old Age Centre at Delhi.
Upma Srivastava, additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment underscored the importance of taking concrete steps to ensure care of older persons enabling them to lead their life with respect and dignity.