Imphal, October 01 2010: A health policy to provide special facilities to the elderly people is being drafted by the government, said Social Welfare and Agriculture minister N Loken today, speaking at the state level observance of the "International Day of Older Persons" at Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak.

As done in other parts of the globe, in the state too, the International Day of Older Persons was observed by various organizations including the state level observance function organized under the aegis of the state Social Welfare Department at Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak.

Minister N Loken, speaking at the observance function at Bal Bhavan as chief guest, said that state government is considering to formulate a health policy which would enable older persons to get special assistance at time of illnesses.

He further said that government was taking up various welfare schemes for the older persons and will continue to do so in the future.

Government considers that to take up a special healthcare for them is a must.

Keeping this in mind, social welfare department is considering to make a health policy for them and the department is looking in which way special health facilities could be given to them, he added.

He observed that it is not right to neglect aged people.

It is because of them that we are witnessing the advancement in society.

It is with their contribution and knowledge that society is moving ahead.

Youngsters of today should try to earn more knowledge from them.

There is so much that we can learn from the elderly people, he added.

Acknowledging that in the state too many older persons are living in distress with their children and families ill-treating them government is deciding to construct a home for older persons and hiking of old age pension from the existing Rs 100 to Rs 200 per month.

The same will be tabled in the Cabinet for discussion and approval, the chief guest said.

MLA M Prithivraj who presided over the function said that life cycle is like a relay-race.

The MLA said older persons are the torch bearers of today's generation.

To the path they step, today's young people are to follow and when today's young people become older they are to guide youngsters to come.

The knowledge of the olders of today is being passed on to today's generation which is to be passed on to the next generation, he added.

Joint director of social welfare department, K Sanajaoba, president of Senior Citizens Manipur, N Binoy, renowned musicologist, L Birendrakumar, former director of social welfare, S Sharatkumar, retired professor, N Iboton and Moirangthem Ningthemjao were among the other dignitaries who attended the function as guests of honour.

The observance function was marked by the presentation of gifts to around 500 older persons coming up from Imphal west and Imphal east districts to attend the observance function.

Bishnupur district social welfare office also observed the day with a function held at Kiyamba Ningshing Shanglen, Bishnupur market in association with Integrated Rural Development Agency, Hengoon and Centre for Development Activities, Wangjing.

MLA K Govindas, who graced the function as chief guest called upon the young people of today to respect the older persons expressing concern over the increasing lack of care for older persons.

Youngsters of today should not forget that they too will be old one day.

The function presided over by adhayaksha of Bishnupur Zilla Parishad and attended by Bishnupur DC, T Sitlhou as guest of honour was marked by presentations of gifts to the older people present in the function.

The Pioneer Health Club (PHC) Manipur and Old Aged Home Centre, Kumbi also observed the day jointly.

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