International Day of Older Persons is a day marked on the 1st of October each year, designated as such in 1990 by the United Nations General Assembly. This day is dedicated to appreciating and acknowledging the contributions that older people make to society.
2019’s Theme: ‘The Journey to Age Equality’
The theme for the International Day of Older Persons in 2019 was ‘The Journey to Age Equality’. This theme aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10) which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries and ensure equal opportunities for all. The 2019 theme specifically centers around creating methods to deal with existing inequality in old age and ways to prevent future age-related inequality.
India’s Caring Initiatives
India has shown great initiative in caring for its aging population. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the Nodal Ministry tasked with matters relating to the welfare of Senior Citizens. Among the projects designed to cater for the needs of the elderly include the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens and the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana.
Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens
The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens is a central sector scheme with the primary goal to enhance the quality of life for Senior Citizens. The scheme achieves this by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment opportunities. It also advocates for productive and active ageing by supporting capacity building of State/ UT Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) / local bodies and the larger community.
The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
Launched in May 2017, the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana is a program that aims towards providing social security during old age and to protect elderly people aged 60 and above against a future fall in their income due to uncertain market conditions. The scheme provides an assured return of 8% per annum for 10 years.
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007
Implemented in December 2007, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act seeks to ensure need-based maintenance for parents and senior citizens along with their welfare.
Key Facts on Aging and Welfare Schemes
| Scheme | Launch Date |
|---|---|
| Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens | N/A |
| Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana | May 2017 |
| Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act | December 2007 |
Source of Information
The information provided in this article is sourced from reliable newspapers such as The Times of India (ToI), official government reports, and UN publications.