Int’l Day of Older Persons observed

The International Day of Older Persons-2023 was observed in the country elsewhere across the globe on Sunday (October 1) with the theme “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations”. 

Department of Social Service and different rights platforms observed the day amid various programmes in Dhaka and some other parts of the country. They observed the day by holding colourful rally and discussion.

On the occasion, the Bangladesh Social Protection Advocacy Network (BSPAN), a platform of different rights bodies who work on social protection for workers and marginalized people; formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the capital. OSHE Foundation provides secretariat support for the BSPAN.

Speakers of the human chain said that many senior citizens in the country are facing economic, social and health vulnerability. Widespread nuclearization of the joint family system is making many senior citizens vulnerable and helpless in society.

The Department of Social Service in collaboration with Khulna district administration arranged a discussion at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Khulna. 

Speakers of the discussion said that the older citizens are the assets of the country as well as the society. “We should to show respect to them without ignoring,” they said. 

“Everybody should be aware to take care himself so that nobody will be spending hardship life in the old age situation,” they said.

Terming the older persons are the respected personnel in the society, the speakers said the government is working to ensure safe and honorable life for senior citizens in the country.

Chaired by the deputy director of the Department of Social Service Khan Motahar Hossain, additional deputy commissioner (General) Pulak Kumar Mondal, former commanders of the city and the district units of Muktijoddha Sangsad Prof Alamgir Kabir and Sarder Mahbubur Rahman, ex-civil surgeon Dr Md Murad Ali, and executive director of Rupantar, an NGO, Swapon Kumar Guho, among others, addressed the function.

Earlier, a colourful rally was brought out in the main streets of the city.