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DHAKA: Age is merely a number, not the final chapter of life. Rather, it represents a wealth of experience, wisdom and sacrifice. The people who helped shape the world we live in today deserve our respect and love. Like every year, the International Day of Older Persons is being observed worldwide on October 1.
The observance began in 1991, marking its 36th year this year. On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe the day globally on October 1 every year.
As life expectancy continues to rise worldwide, the number of older people is also increasing rapidly. Against this backdrop, this year’s theme is “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.” The theme highlights the need to rethink social protection, healthcare, and family and state structures as people live longer, so that older persons can lead dignified and comfortable lives.
Older people are like large banyan trees in society, providing shelter and security to families and communities. They spent the prime years of their lives helping build the future we enjoy today. Yet many face loneliness, physical illness and neglect in old age. Making their later years easier and more fulfilling therefore requires not only family responsibility but also greater awareness at the state and societal levels.
Old age does not mean inactivity. Younger generations can learn much from the wealth of experience accumulated by older people. Even after they are no longer able to work, their emotional support and guidance can play an important role in strengthening the foundations of society.
On this day, the commitment should be to ensure that older people remain safe, respected and surrounded by love not just for one day, but throughout the year. Helping bring a gentle smile to their faces would make the observance truly meaningful.
To mark the day, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued separate messages extending greetings to the country’s older citizens.
The Department of Social Services, under the Ministry of Social Welfare, has taken various programmes to observe the International Day of Older Persons. These include rallies, discussions, publication of special supplements in national newspapers, sending SMS messages through mobile operators on respecting older persons, and broadcasting awareness programmes through electronic media.