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Eleven senior citizens were honoured with ‘Chirayushya Samman’ by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Smt. Meira Kumar at a function organised here today to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons. The awardees included the grand old lady of Indian theatre 90 years old Shrimati Zohra Segal for promoting the theme of active aging. The other awardees still distinctively contributing in their respective fields included Dr. Kalyan Bagchi (84), community health, Dr. Ashis Roy (75), Maj. Gen. Narinder Singh (77), disability sector, Sh. Mohd. Jafar Ali Khan (74) education, Dr. M.L. Dewan (84), enviroment, Smt. Sarojini Pant (84), educational upliftment of poor and orphan girls, Smt. Janak Taneja (72), upliftment of rural population, Sh. M.M. Sabharwal (82), welfare of elderly persons, Swami Budhanandji (80), upliftment of remote tribal communities and Smt Praveen Nair (72), welfare of street children. ‘Chirayushya Samman’, launched by Anugraha, an NGO working for the welfare of elderly persons, carries a trophy, a citation and a shawl.
Addressing the function, Smt. Meira Kumar said that we cherish and value the contribution of elderly persons. Referring to the changing social values leading to dwindling family support, the Minister said that community support has to be the answer. But, she added, this is a two way process where the elderly persons engage with the community which in turn looks to their welfare. Smt. Kumar said that there are already such networks set up in some parts but the need to be extended to entire country.
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