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| International Day of Older Persons on October 1,
2012
The International Day of Older
Persons 2012 being celebrated this year on October 1, 2012. The theme of the 2012 commemoration is “Longevity: Shaping the Future”.
Ageing and health was also the theme of this year's World Health Day on 7 April. These themes focus on how healthy behaviours throughout life
can help older men and women lead full and productive lives and be a
resource for their families and communities.
International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2011
October 1, 2011 is the International Day of Older Persons. On this day
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "Older persons are vibrant and essential
contributors to the development and stability of society, and more can and should be done to utilize
their potential."
The provision of social protection, long-term care and access to public
health for the elderly must not be undermined because of the current
fiscal environment, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned ahead of events for the day marking this growing
segment of the world's population.
"I call on governments and communities everywhere to provide more
opportunities for their ageing populations," he said in a message to mark International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2011 stressing that
independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity underpin
the human rights of older persons. Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60, and by 2050 this
number will rise to about two billion, or over 20 per cent of the world's population. He noted that nearly two thirds of older persons live in developing
countries, yet older people are still largely excluded from the wider global, regional and national development agendas.
International Day of Older Persons 2010
UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said on on International Day of Older Persons 2010, "We must put an end to age discrimination, abuse, neglect and violence
against older persons. I urge States to put the necessary legal protections in place, and I urge all partners to help countries develop the capacity and institutions to achieve this objective.
"On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to the vital work of upholding the United Nations Principles for Older Persons and achieving a society for all ages." .
The United Nations has declared October 1 the International Day of Older Persons. This year marks its
11th anniversary, celebrating the valuable contributions by older adults worldwide to the betterment of their communities.
Promoting independence and dignity of older persons has been a prominent part of the UN agenda, and is central to the implementation of the Madrid International
Plan on Ageing, which commits to eliminating all forms of discrimination, including age discrimination.
International Day of Older Persons, 2010 theme was: "Celebrating the
11th Anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons: Towards a Society for All Ages".
History of the special Day
The General Assembly of UNO designated 1 October every year as the International Day of Older Persons through a
resolution 45/106 of 14th December 1990. The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on 1st October 1991.
Later, this day came to be observed in many countries and organizations. By designating a special day for the senior citizens, the General Assembly of UNO
recognized the importance of older adults and their contributions to the development of human society. This day is dedicated to
honour, respect and care for the elderly people of the world.
It is important for the Older Persons that they should be able to enjoy their remaining life in their own families and communities. They should have a life of
fulfillment, health, security and contentment, and be appreciated as an integral part of the society. UNO has
approved Eighteen Principles for the well being of Older Persons which are organized into five clusters, namely, Independence, Participation, Care, Self-fulfillment and Dignity. |
Dilip Kumar 90 years
Ever young Devanand
expired in December 2011 at the age of 88
Ustad Abdul Rashid khan
Ustad of Music now 102 years old born in 1908. Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan
is a vocalist of Hindustani music. Khan has composed more than two
thousand compositions and is also a prolific writer and poet under the pseudonym "Rasan Piya". |
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Old persons over the world
It is estimated that presently there are around 600 million persons aged 60 years and over all over the world. This figure may double by 2025 and will reach virtually two billion by 2050.
Out of these, a vast majority of the older persons will be in the developing world. According to an estimate of the United Nations Organization
(UNO), presently one out of every 10 persons is 60 years or older. By the year 2050, this ratio will be one out of five and by 2150, it will be one out of three persons.
Old persons in India
India’s elderly population increased from 12 million in 1901 to 19 million in 1951
and 77 million in 2001. According to an estimate by 2021, India’s elderly population will cross 137 million. Presently India has the second largest aged population in the world.
India faces serious socio-economic challenges due to the successively increasing aged population. In India, life for many older people is less than happy. When young
people after competing their education leave their villages for the towns and cities, the old are left to fend for themselves.
In Western and industrially advanced countries, pension schemes and social security system of the governments cover the economic needs of the old. However, in India the
situation is quite different. Nearly 90 per cent of the total workforce in India is employed in the informal sector. Thus, social security offered
by pension schemes is available to only 10 per cent of the working population retiring from the organised sector.
Many of the older persons who do not have any social security such as pension have to depend on the earning of their children for their sustenance and medical expenses. The condition of the illiterate and poverty stricken older persons cannot be imagined.
In India for many people old age has become a curse. Older people are marginalized and in many cases have been portrayed as the burden on the society.
There are instances of well off children disowning their parents or dumping them in old age homes where they are left to live a life of depression and deprivation.
There are also examples of older parents being shunted from one son or daughter to the other for taking care. In larger cities like
Delhi, Mumbai, elderly persons living independently have become victims of robbery and even being murdered for valuables or to grab their dwellings.
In every country older people contribute significantly to society. Many elderly people continue working in voluntary capacity or for some amount of remuneration. In
India in a joint family system they take care of grand children enabling their sons and daughters to go to work and thus play an active part in community and family life. Older people are like ‘Doors to the past and windows to the future’.
The knowledge and experience of older people is like a vast reservoir of resources which could be used for the betterment
and welfare of the society.
International Day of Older
Persons Themes
The theme of the 2012 commemoration is “Longevity: Shaping the Future”
International Day of Older Persons 2009 theme was "Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons: Towards a Society for All Ages".
International Day of Older Persons 2008: Theme "Rights of Older Persons". The International Day of Older Persons 2008 was celebrated at UN headquarters on 2 October 2008.
The theme for 2008 Rights of Older Persons was chosen to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
International Day of Older Persons 2007 Theme : Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities of Ageing".
International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2006:Theme for 2006: "Improving the Quality of Life for Older Persons: Advancing UN Global Strategies".
International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2005: Theme for 2005: "Ageing in the new millennium. Focus on poverty, older women and development".
International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2004: Theme for 2004: Older persons in an intergenerational society. |
Zohra Sehgal born in April 17,
1912 is now 98 years old
Famous Indian actress
Wahida Rehman today.
Yesterday... |
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Older persons make major contributions to society
Today, world-wide, there are around 600 million persons aged 60 years and over;
this total will double by 2025 and will reach virtually two billion by 2050 - the vast majority of them in the developing world. In this fast
ageing world, older people will increasingly play a critical role - through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge,
helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in the paid labour force and can make major contributions to society.
World Health Organization launched in 2002 a document "Active Ageing - A Policy Framework", outlining its approaches and perspectives for healthy
ageing throughout the life course.
HelpAge India Survey
HelpAge India, an organisation for the elderly, conducted a survey of 830 people, who are 80 years and above,
across eight cities to understand their needs and health issues. Octogenarians in the city feel most insecure about their dependency on
their children. This insecurity stops them from demanding attention from
their children, both financial and emotional, thus neglecting their health. There are about 80 lakh octogenarians in the country.
The survey found that more than 80 per cent of the elderly are dependent on their families, mainly their sons, and more than 50 per cent of those
surveyed had poor health. “Most of the 80-plus population is financially dependent on their
children or other relatives. They do not have insurance. This dependency is a limitation in their healthcare treatment,” said Prakash
Borgaonkar, co-director of HelpAge India, Mumbai.
The survey also suggested free treatment for the 80-plus population
below poverty line and regular financial support from the government.
“They face health issues because their immunity is low. They must exercise, maintain a good lifestyle and diet but most neglect these
vital points. The dependency factor adds to their poor health. Most of the cases of such population are of strokes, heart attacks and other
related problems,” said Dr Shishir Shah, a physician. |
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