Much awaited building of the Old Age Home was inaugurated Wednesday at the Old Age Home building Merima here.
The building was inaugurated by Kaisa Rio, wife of the chief minister Nagaland. Speaking at the inaugural session, Kaisa Rio said awareness should be created to encourage greater care for old persons.
She said by doing so ‘we will also be fulfilling our Christian duties towards elderly persons” and the success of such homes would change the general concept.
She asserted it was not an easy task for those who were directly involved in taking care of the older persons as it involved a lot of commitments and hard work. Mrs. Rio said every day has its own unique problems and that it would be an uphill task for the service providers.
Referring the lifestyles of the western countries, which were different where many people send their aged parents/grandparents to old age homes, she said in the context of Nagaland, it was the opposite as Nagas were compassionate towards elders.
She added that with the changing times ‘we may need more old age homes.’ She also congratulated the managing director and all the people involved for the steadfast vision in constructing the building as required.
The oldest resident of the Old Age Home Thekeuzolü did the ‘cake cutting’ on the occasion. Director social welfare department and Nagaland senior Citizen’s Forum also spoke on the occasion.
Currently there are 17 older persons at the Old Age Home and the oldest is believed to be above 90 years.
The building that was constructed at the cost of Rs. 50 lakh in the one acre of land provided by the state government has 21 rooms, which includes office, dormitories, conference hall, room and other required amenities.