DHAKA, Sept 30, 2019 (BSS) – The International Day of Older Persons will
be observed with the theme ‘The Journey to Age Equality’ through various
programmes in the country tomorrow like elsewhere in the globe.
On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina issued separate messages greeting the country’s all senior citizens
and wished sound health and peaceful life for them.
Marking the day, the Department of Social Services will bring out a
procession and hold a discussion at 10:45 am tomorrow in the city.
In the message, President Abdul Hamid said “I’m very much delighted to
learn that the International Day of Older Persons is going to be observed in
the country like elsewhere in the world. People become older according to the
natural rules and they face different problems. So, I think this year’s theme
for the day is appropriate”.
Highlighting the present government’s initiatives for the welfare of the
elderly people, including old-age allowance and “The Parents Maintenance Act-
2013”, the President said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman had inserted the Article 15 (D) in the Constitution of Bangladesh for
ensuring social security of the country’s helpless senior citizens.
Hamid called upon the non-government organisations along with the
government to protect the rights of the elderly people.
In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government has
taken an initiative to implement the National Policy for Elderly and form an
‘elderly development foundation’ to increase the facilities for the senior
citizens.
“Awami League government is implementing different programmes under the
‘Vision 2021’ for the overall welfare of the senior citizens,” the premier
said, adding that some programmes of the government have already earned
acclamation in international arena.
The President and the Prime Minister wished all-out success of all
programmes of the day.
The International Day of Older Persons has been being observed across the
world since 1991 aiming to creating public awareness about old age along with
ensuring security and rights for the senior citizens.