World Senior Citizen’s Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st August to honour and recognise the contributions of senior citizens to society and highlight the challenges they face, such as healthcare, elder abuse, social isolation, etc.
- The day reminds families and communities to appreciate and support their older members, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.
Note: Senior citizens are individuals who are 60 years or older or individuals who have retired from their jobs.
Background:
i.On 19 August 1988, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States of America (USA), signed Proclamation 5847, designating August 21 as “National Senior Citizens Day.”
ii.The Proclamation of 5847 initially appeared on 21 August as the National Day of the Third Age.
Related Observance:
On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/45/106, designating October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.
Key Facts:
i.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2030, 1 in 6 people globally will be aged 60 years or over.
ii.The population of those aged over 60 is set to rise from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030.
iii.By 2050, the global population of people aged 60 and older will double, reaching 2.1 billion.
- The number of persons aged 80 or older is expected to triple, reaching 426 million between 2020 and 2050.
Significance of Observance in India:
According to the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections (July 2020), India’s elderly population is projected to reach 193.4 million by 2031, a sharp rise from 103.8 million in 2011.
- 8.6% of the total population at that time, highlighting the need for focused healthcare, economic security, and social integration for older adults.
Initiatives by the Goverment of India(GoI):
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment(DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) is the Nodal Department for the welfare of senior citizens, implementing various programs and schemes.
1.Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY):
i.AVYAY, a key government scheme for senior citizens, formerly the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), was implemented by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
ii.The NAPSrC was revamped, renamed as Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY), and subsumed in April 2021.
Key Components of AVYAY:
i.Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), for Shelter and Health for senior citizens.
ii.Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), for providing Physical Aids and Assisted Living Devices for senior citizens Below the Poverty Line (BPL) and with a family income not exceeding Rs. 15,000 per month.
iii.National Helpline, Awareness, Training, and Capacity Building: The Elder Line Helpline (Toll-free No. 14567), is a National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC)launched to offer guidance, emotional support, and rescue services.
2.National Award for Senior Citizens:
i.The National Award for Senior Citizens, also known as Vayoshreshtha Samman, was launched in 2005 and is dedicated to senior citizens.
ii.Every year, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment confers the Award on 1st October, on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.
- It is conferred to eminent and outstanding senior citizens and institutions/organizations involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons.
iii.The Award of Iconic Mother will be conferred to women senior citizens who have excelled in raising high-achieving children against significant odds.
