As Nagaland joined with the rest of the world in observing International Day of Older People, several programmer were held across the state to acknowledge the presence of old people.
Speaking at a small gathering of senior citizens at the premises of Dimapur Ao Baptist Church Town fellowship, Secretary (retired) and former Director NEZCC N. Bendang Ao encouraged the gathering to have a positive attitude and to live one day at a time while adding that complaining about ills in everyday lives would not be beneficial.
Stating that ‘Life begins when you retire’, the retired officer said this was indeed true as people start to live the real life after retirement.
Sharing his insight on the topic, he gave four points i.e. preparing to settle down; healthcare before retirement; preparation to involve in various social, religious and public activities and lastly to regulate one’s life style.
KUHUBOTO: For the older persons of Kuhuboto area, celebration of ‘International Day of Older Persons’ on Saturday was an opportunity to meet up with old friends and talk about the happenings in the village. Over four hundred older persons above sixty years and above attended the programme held at KGPO hall with SDO (C) Kuhuboto Zakabo Rotokha as the chief guest.
Impressed with the number of older persons who turned up for the programme, the SDO said Kuhuboto area was blessed to have older persons to guide the present generation. He exhorted the gathering to do away with the mentality of ‘being old’ and not to consider themselves as ‘burdensome’ to the family but, as an asset and contribute to the society. DPO Dimapur, Tulula Pongen welcomed the gathering while Dr. Rongsen, member of Lions Club spoke on healthy aging. Male voice CVB Dimapur enthralled the gathering with song presentation.
The programme chaired by deputy director social welfare Khehoto Sema, was organised by department of social welfare in collaboration with the Lions Club. Under the supervision of Dr. Rongsen, older persons were given free medical treatment for various ailments.
The oldest two in the village 108 year old man and 92 year old woman were given a token of love by the department. (Staff Reporter)
WOKHA: Wokha district also observed IDOP at LTC Hall, Wokha with deputy commissioner, Wokha Rovilatuo Mor as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest said the younger generation always sought for elderly guidance to strengthen and take the society forward. Despite being old, the presence of senior citizens was a blessing and without them, the universe would be barren he added. Dr. Zuben Kikon DPO, NVBD Control Programme spoke on the theme “Health Care for Senior Citizens.” Chairman, Eramo Okho (Senior Citizen Forum, Wokha) Likao Odyuo also spoke on the occasion.
At the function, two oldest persons in the town – Pisamo Tungoe and Yanasali Mozhui were honoured by department besides two senior citizens Ashemo Yanthan and Inali Odyuo who were honoured by the DC.
ZUNHEBOTO: IDOP was observed at Zunheboto on the theme “Health Care for Senior Citizen” with Superintendent of Police Zhunheboto James Humtsoe as the chief guest. Humtsoe said ‘International Day of Older Persons’ was first celebrated in the year 1930 in USA.
He acknowledged for their contribution to the society, and appealed to the older persons present in the function to lead the youngsters showing the right path. Earlier, welcome song was presented by senior citizen forum official; special number by choir master SBAZ Mughaho Zhimo & Co., exhortation by Deputy Director Social Welfare Shikuto Achumi followed by release of senior citizens by-law by DC Zunheboto.
MOKOKCHUNG: IDOP was observed in Mokokchung with a message to change the society’s attitudes towards older people and to appreciate the valuable contribution made by the older people.
In-spite of their health problem a number of older persons participated in the morning walk organized by the district welfare office, Mokokchung from Imlong Place (Police Point) to Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School with Rongsenmeren of Longkhum, village (age 88) residing at Salangtam Ward of Mokokchung town being the oldest participant.
DC, Mokokchung, Lithrongla G. Chishi in her address called upon the society to give due recognition to the contributions made by the older persons in society and stressed on the need to gear up health care and assistance needed by them. Rongsenmeren and Nokchakala (age 85) were given `1000 each along with citations for being the oldest male and female participants at the function. The function was followed by free medical check up from Imkongliba Memorial district Hospital, Mokokchung.
CHUKITONG: Under the chairmanship of Khocheo Lotha, Supervisor, IDOP programme was held at GBs court, Chukitong with the initiative of Nyimthungo Kikon Head GB, Chukitong. Altogether 47 older persons attended the programme. In his welcome address, Khocheo Lotha, supervisor, highlighted the achievements on various schemes of the department. Rev R.Ngullie, Pastor Tsungiki spoke on the theme health care for older persons’. The department also distributed ‘torch light’ to all older persons.
CHANGTONGYA: IDOP was observed at CDPO office Changtongya on the theme ‘Life is Health, Care, Preserve it’. Speaking on the occasion, Tsungrosangla Ao CDPO Changtongya highlighted that the day was being observed to respect and show solidarity to all the senior citizens. She also highlighted on the schemes and facilities that were available through the department during the programme.
Special presents were given to the oldest man and woman, Rengilenba 93 years and Tiongenla, 88 years by T. Yanger Pastor CTBC. On behalf of the senior citizens, I. Masa and Temjen Wati also spoke on the occasion and thanked the CDPO for organising the programme.
MEDZIPHEMA: IDOP was celebrated at New Soünoma village organized by the department of social welfare Medziphema ICDS project in collaboration with CHC, Medziphema. A total of 38 elders from the village attend the program.
Dzüziengulie Terhuja, CDPO, Medziphema in his address to the elders spoke on the significance of International world elders’ day. He also said that it was a blessing to have 76 elders, all over 60 years of age, in a small village like New Socünoma with just a total of 150 households. The program was graced by Angelina Tajen, ADC, Medziphema as the chief guest. In her address, she appreciated New Socünoma Village council for keeping the village neat and clean in terms of sanitation and waste management, while to the elders she said, “Your stage of life is full of wisdom from the many years of experience, and the grey hair is a crown of glory which respected”.
Speaking on behalf of the elders, S. Vikho, a senior citizen and a former village council chairman, said only 3 out of 76 elders of the village were benefiting from the old age pension from the government and requested the officers present to intercede for the senior citizens of the village so as to increase the number of old age pension beneficiaries. Dr. Victor Khim, medical officer, CHC, Medziphema and his team of doctors and nurses conducted a free medical camp in the village right after the program. Besides providing free medicine the program also distributed free food supplement balbhog and balbhog kheer to the all the elders in the village.
TUENSANG: Tuensang with the rest of the world observed IDOP at Tuensang Town Baptist Church (TTBC) on the theme “Health care for senior citizens” organised by TTBC in collaboration with District Welfare Office Tuensang and District Health Society, Tuensang. The chief guest for the occasion was SDO (Civil) Sushil Kumar (IAS) who spoke on schemes provided by the government for older people including old age pension, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), reservations in public transport and many others.
Older people from the four tribes viz Chang, Yimchunger, Sangtam and Khiamniungan were also given gifts.
The oldest male Hotongse belonging to the Sangtam community, who is 106 years old and oldest female Wanchai, 105 years old from the Chang community were also given token of appreciation. Older people from the age group 60 years and above were given a presentation each. Meanwhile, medical department alongside the programme conducted a health check-up. More than 40 old people were given free health check-up.
JALUKIE ICDS: CDPO Jalukie observed International Day of Older Persons with the rest of the world at Jalukie Town Hall where 250 older persons attended the meeting.
The meeting was chaired by S. Nezolu Rakho, CDPO Jalukie. She said the department was working for human development, from birth till death, and also highlighted that the department has reduced 65 years to 60 years for old age pensions and 60 to 79 years enhance to `300 per month, above 80 years enhance to `500/- per month. On behalf of older persons, Heizieteising delivered speech on behalf of Kiasimlak, and praised of the department for enhancing IGNOAP.
Dr. Senti Moa of Community Health Centre, Jalukie spoke on the theme ‘health care for senior citizen’, like common illness such as BP, TB, bones diseases, diabetes, etc. He also requested the older persons to take health check-up at least 2-3 times in a year. Three older persons were awarded prizes by the department.
KIPHIRE: IDOP programme was held on Saturday at Hopongkyu memorial Hall Kiphire with hundreds of Older persons from Kiphire district attending the programme organized by department of Child Development Project Office Kiphire.
Namang Sepong Chang EAC Kiphire delivered a short speech. He compared the old people to a diamond and said it was a blessing from God that they were able to attend the program and acknowledged them for their sincere life that they have come across. Oldest women in the district Thsikyula aged 96, Kavili aged 94 and oldest Man Shuvin age 95 and Yenkiuba 91 were presented with gifts. The programme was followed by health check up initiated by medical department Kiphire. (Correspondent)
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