Today is World Senior Citizen Day 2022, History, and Importance!
World Senior Citizens Day- World Senior Citizens Day is celebrated every year on the 21st of August. Senior Citizens Day is celebrated to pay respect to senior citizens and to show the importance of their contribution to society.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday extended Senior Citizens Day wishes on Twitter. He wrote that senior citizens through their experience, knowledge, and wisdom play an important role in enriching our society.
Senior citizens play a vital role in enriching our society with their wisdom, knowledge & experience. On #WorldSeniorCitizensDay, let’s acknowledge the hardships faced by them and pledge to give them the love, care and respect they deserve. pic.twitter.com/emaThiBc52
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 21, 2022
Senior citizens are not only contributors to society but are also rich in experience. It is important not only to appreciate senior citizens but also to take steps to solve their problems. Also, give them respect as they are our guides and social teacher.
Various special benefits are provided for the benefit of senior citizens such as seat reserve for sitting with special schemes, income tax concessions and higher interest income, and concessions in rail and bus fares.
What is the history of World Senior Citizens Day?
In 1988, then US President Ronald Reagan declared World Senior Citizen Day. In this regard, a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan noted the contributions and achievements of senior citizens in American families. Hence Senior Citizens Day was started to honor the contribution of senior citizens.
The United Nations predicts that the number of senior citizens worldwide will reach 1.5 billion by 2050. Therefore, it is emphasized that there is a need for a system to address the problems of senior citizens.
Who are senior citizens
Citizens who have completed 60 years of age in India are counted as senior citizens. The government has provided many facilities for senior citizens. But still very senior citizens in the country are neglected by their families and society. So it is our responsibility to give respect to senior citizens and take care of their facilities.
What are the rights of senior citizens?
Many senior citizens are unaware of their legal rights to retrieve property transferred to children and to remove or evict their children or relatives from their property. Although 15 years have passed since the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (Senior Citizens Act) came into force in 2007, which provides such rights, awareness about such rights is low.
COVID-19 has accelerated health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts on senior citizens and exacerbated inequalities over the past three years.
According to the United Nations, the impact has been greater on female senior citizens, who make up the majority of senior citizens. Hence this day is celebrated as a reminder and an opportunity to address challenges, spread awareness and celebrate achievements and milestones achieved by senior citizens.