Mezivolu T. Therie,
NJS Member Secretary, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority
Today as we celebrate International Day of Older Persons, I take this privilege to congratulate all the senior citizens for your brilliant contributions and serving the society in different capacities as parents, mentors, leaders of the society. This day is observed keeping in mind the need to recognized the importance of protecting the older citizens in the country and to raise awareness about the issues affecting older people.
This Year, United Nations International Day for Older Persons (UNIDOP) has adopted the theme “Celebrating older Human Rights Champions” to reaffirm the commitment and promote full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons. The theme also focuses to raise the visibility of older people as participating members of society, committed to improving the enjoyment of human rights in many areas of life and not just those that affect them immediately and engage broad audiences across the world and mobilize people for human rights at all stages of life, utilize the service and give respect and honour and let them harvest the returns of giving back what they have done in their life.
We see many senior citizens enjoy a full life after they retire from active services, the reasons being they have their families supporting them, they have hobbies to keep them occupied and above all they have hopes and dreams of things surrounding them.
However, sadly if we take a look around, we see many senior citizens facing myriad of challenges – socially, physically, mentally and economically. It is disheartening to mention that there are evidences of continuous abuse of elderly persons across the world. It is said that half of the elderly population reportedly experience abuse besides disrespect and neglect. (Incidence of in different parts of India, Nagaland etc…)
I appreciate the Department of Social Welfare for organizing such a programme as this and reaching out to the senior citizens. Not only on a day as this, but the programmes and schemes given to the senior citizens are well appreciated. NSLSA works very closely with the Department of Social Welfare and we receive good cooperation from them at all times.
As part of today’s theme, we can also think of a comprehensive plan for senior citizens to meaningfully engage them to give back to the society about their vast experiences and knowledge that has been accumulated by them and also get to know the benefits and facilities which are due to them.
If Social Welfare Department or some NGOs can initiate to establish a kind of club/recreational centre for the senior citizens, we can encourage them to come together. This may be of great impact as they can have a place to look forward. Generally, we Nagas do not disrespect our senior citizens or elderly people but thinking of their welfare and comfort or planning their day for them seems lacking. If such an establishment is realized, I can assure that NSLSA has the man power to help and assist periodically or as and when our services are required.
As far as the Senior Citizens are concern, the NSLSA works around the scheme called NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016 with the following objective:
1. To outline the basic rights and benefits that should be accorded to senior citizens.
2. To strengthen legal aid and representation at the National, State, District Levels for senior citizens who are eligible to get entitlement under the Legal Services Authorities Act.
3. To ensure access to various Governmental Schemes and programmes to the senior citizens.
4. To ensure that the authorities and institutions such as Tribunals and Appellate Tribunals under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, old age homes for senior citizens are established.
5. To spread awareness about the rights and entitlements of the senior citizens under the various laws and Governmental Schemes and programmes.
6. To enhance capacities at all levels of lawyers, volunteers, government officers tasked with the implementation of the various schemes, service providers, police personnel, NGOs by organizing trainings, orientation, sensitization programmes.
7. To undertake research and documentation to study the various schemes, laws etc.
Overall, the ultimate goal of the Scheme is to ensure that the senior citizens live a life of dignity and enjoy all the benefits and facilities which are due to them.
There are several schemes designed by the government for senior citizens. The National Policy on Senior Citizens also focuses on mainstreaming senior citizens, especially women, promoting the concept of ageing in place, income security, homecare services, old age pension, and access to healthcare insurance schemes and other programmes and services to facilitate and sustain the dignity in old age.
One of the important provisions of law meant for the senior citizens is ‘Maintenance’ which is enumerated under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal procedure. It enables a father or mother who is unable to maintain himself/ herself to claim maintenance from their children.
Considering the need to protect the rights of the senior citizens and to further the constitutional objectives, the maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, was enacted. A striking feature of this Act is that abandoning of senior citizen is made a punishable offence.
As we observe this special day let me remind us that we are enjoying the fruits of the labour that the senior citizens have planted. Taking this opportunity I would like to urged each one of us to strive for protecting the rights of the Senior Citizens. Let us give them the love and respect they deserve. Let us once again commit ourselves to show our appreciation to our parents/ senior citizens not just today but everyday single day.
I wish the senior citizens to enjoy the years that they have ahead of them. Learn to relax and be mobile and active.
Speech delivered on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons in Kohima on October 1, 2018
