World Senior Citizen’s Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 21st August to honour the efforts, contributions, and achievements made by elderly people to society, families, and communities. The day also recognises the issues that an elderly individual faces in old age.
- The day also aims to recognise and appreciate their participation in society in order to promote their skills and knowledge.
Background:
i.The observance of World Senior Citizen’s Day was started in 1988, when Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States of America (USA) signed the Proclamation of 5847 on August 19, 1988, and declared the 21st of August every year as the “National Senior Citizens Day”.
ii.The Proclamation of 5847, which was signed on 19th August 1988 initially appeared as National Day of the Third Age on 21st August.
- On 14th December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution declaring 1st October as the International Day of Older Persons.
Who are Senior Citizens?
Senior citizens are generally people who have attained the age of 60 or people who have retired from their job.
Significance:
i.The day serves as a global opportunity to honour and appreciate the elderly people, recognising their remarkable accomplishments, dedication, and invaluable wisdom.
ii.The day promotes intergenerational connections and advocates for better lives of senior citizens as they help preserve the values and heritage of our society.
Initiatives of Government of India for Senior Citizens:
Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY):
i.Atal VayoAbhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), formerly National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), was revamped, renamed and subsumed in April 2021.
ii.The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal department of the scheme, aimed at empowering senior citizens in India.
ii.This Plan takes care of the top 4 needs of the senior citizens namely financial security, food, health care, and human interaction /life of dignity.
Sub Schemes/Components:
1.Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), for Shelter and Health for Senior Citizens.
2.Health and nutrition support for indigent elders: Government of India has launched ‘Poshan Abhiyan’ for the Elderly, to provide nutrition support to the indigent elders, who are not staying in the Old Age Homes and are victims of severe malnutrition
3.Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is a scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
4.Livelihood and Skilling for Senior Citizens (Self HelpGroups (SHGs)): To provide the senior citizens ways and means for achieving right to happy, healthy and dignified ageing through financial independence.
5.National Helpline, Awareness, Training and Capacity Building: Elder Line 14567 is a National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC) (toll-free number) launched on 1st October 2021 to provide free information, and guidance to the senior citizens.
- It was set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E).
6.Promoting Silver Economy: To promote innovative solutions for the commonly faced problems, innovative start-ups will be identified and encouraged for developing products, processes and services for the welfare of the elderly under this initiative.
7.Channelization of CSR Funds for eldely Care: To channelise the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds in an appropriate manner for elderly care projects.
National Award For Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman):
i.Every year, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment confers the “National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman)” to eminent and outstanding senior citizens and institutions/organizations on 1st October on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.
ii.Iconic Mother Award: For women senior citizens who ignored all odds to raise accomplished children in their chosen field.
