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October 01, 2024 12:30
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International Day of Older Persons 2024 is being observed on October 1st, to raise awareness about the issues faced by the elderly population and recognize their value. Read more about International Day of Older Persons 2024 and its theme.
The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated globally on October 1st every year. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the issues affecting the elderly population and recognizing their valuable contributions to society. With the growing number of elderly individuals worldwide, including in India, the day holds special importance in advocating for the rights, well-being, and dignity of senior citizens. In 2024, the day comes with a new theme that highlights the challenges faced by older persons while promoting intergenerational solidarity and care.
Each year, the United Nations introduces a specific theme for the International Day of Older Persons to focus attention on issues that older people face. The International Day of Older Persons 2024 theme is “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.”
The theme emphasizes the importance of enhancing support systems for older adults worldwide, as the aging population is becoming a significant factor in reshaping societies. Celebrating the International Day of Older Persons can involve meaningful actions such as:
India is witnessing a significant rise in its elderly population, with currently at 153 million (aged 60 and above), is projected to soar to 347 million by 2050. The growing elderly population in India presents both opportunities and challenges, as this demographic group often faces health, economic, and social issues. Many elderly citizens in India live without adequate access to healthcare, financial stability, and social security. As a result, there is an urgent need for policies and schemes that support their well-being and ensure a dignified life for older persons.
Government initiatives like pensions, healthcare schemes, and social security programs play a critical role in addressing these needs, especially for vulnerable senior citizens.
The National Policy for Senior Citizens, first introduced in 1999 and revised in 2011, is aimed at addressing the needs and challenges faced by the elderly in India. This policy focuses on providing social security, healthcare, shelter, and opportunities for income generation for senior citizens. It also emphasizes the importance of family care and community involvement in supporting the elderly.
India has several schemes aimed at improving the lives of older persons and ensuring they receive adequate support. Some of the key schemes related to older persons in India include:
| National Policy on Older Persons in India | |
| Policy/Service | Description |
| National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 | Aims to provide state support for financial security, healthcare, shelter, and welfare of senior citizens. |
| Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) | Provides financial assistance to elderly citizens below the poverty line. |
| Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) | Distributes physical aids and assisted-living devices to senior citizens from economically weaker sections. |
| Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) | A pension scheme for senior citizens offering assured returns on their investment with a 10-year maturity. |
| Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) | Provides grants to NGOs for running senior citizens’ homes, daycare centers, and mobile healthcare units for the elderly. |
| Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana | Offers an assured pension based on the guaranteed return on the purchase price for senior citizens. |
| Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) | A government-backed savings scheme with regular interest payouts, designed exclusively for senior citizens. |
| Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 | Ensures legal obligations for children to provide maintenance to their parents and establishes a tribunal for elderly disputes. |
| National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) | Provides dedicated healthcare services for elderly persons, including preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care. |
| Annapurna Scheme | Provides free food grains to elderly individuals who are not covered under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). |
The revised policy calls for measures to improve financial security, strengthen healthcare services, and ensure active participation of older persons in society. It promotes the well-being of senior citizens through inclusive policies that safeguard their dignity and rights.
The Older Persons Day 2024 aims to celebrate the contributions of the elderly while raising awareness about the challenges they face. The day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of creating an inclusive society that caters to the needs of older persons. It promotes the idea that aging should be viewed as a time for continued growth, dignity, and meaningful participation in society, rather than as a period of decline.
In India and worldwide, the International Day of Older Persons encourages communities, governments, and organizations to come together to promote policies that protect the rights of older persons, eliminate age-related discrimination, and support intergenerational cooperation.
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