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Hyderabad, January 23rd<\/sup>, 2025<\/strong>:\u00a0The\u00a0International Day of Older Persons<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0was celebrated with great enthusiasm under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,\u00a0Government of India<\/strong>, in collaboration with the\u00a0Heritage Foundation Regional Resource and Training Centre<\/strong>, Hyderabad, today at the prestigious Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, Secunderabad. The celebrations were graced by Chief Guest\u00a0Mr. K. R. Gangadharan<\/strong>, Founder of the Heritage Group of companies; who delivered an inspiring keynote address. The Guests of Honour,\u00a0Shri V Mohan Reddy<\/strong>, Ex MLA, Sircilla;\u00a0Dr. G. Nageswara Rao<\/strong>, Vice President of the AASARA Central Project Committee, GHMC, Hyderabad and\u00a0Mr. Prabhakara Reddy<\/strong>, Project Director of the Heritage Foundation RRTC, Hyderabad, added their valuable insights to the occasion.<\/p>\n With over 400 senior citizens participating enthusiastically, the event highlighted this year\u2019s theme:\u00a0“<\/em>Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons.<\/em>“<\/em>\u00a0The celebration underscored the importance of fostering respect, care, and robust support for the elderly, setting the tone for a compassionate and inclusive future.<\/p>\n Speaking on the occasion,\u00a0Mr Gangadharan\u00a0<\/strong>said, This year\u2019s theme centers on\u00a0dignity<\/em>,\u00a0<\/em>extending it to our senior citizens while recognizing that true dignity begins with self-respect. When we respect ourselves, we naturally inspire respect from others. The\u00a0National<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Policy on Senior<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Citizens (1999),<\/strong>\u00a0highlights that senior citizens are a\u00a0<\/em>national treasure<\/em>, a resource of immense value to society. Similarly, the United Nations underscores that seniors stand shoulder to shoulder with the youth, as\u00a0equal contributors<\/em>\u00a0to societal progress. Let\u2019s take pride in our age, our journey, and the invaluable wisdom that comes with it. After all, ageing is not just about growing older, it\u2019s about growing richer in experiences, memories, and grace.<\/p>\n Shri V Mohan Reddy<\/strong>\u00a0said,\u00a0there\u2019s a unique joy in meeting people of our own age, especially when we come together in large numbers, the atmosphere transforms into a vibrant celebration, filled with the warmth and energy of togetherness, nothing short of a festive occasion. It\u2019s a beautiful opportunity to share our joys, recount memories, and even lighten the weight of our worries. In these moments of connection, we find comfort, understanding, and a sense of belonging that rejuvenates the spirit. Let\u2019s cherish these gatherings as a reminder that life is best enjoyed when shared with those who truly understand our journey.<\/em><\/p>\n Dr G. Nageswara Rao\u00a0<\/strong>said,\u00a0programs like these inspire confidence and enthusiasm among senior citizens, empowering them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. In Telangana, senior citizens make up a significant portion of the population, with 16% in urban areas and 15% in rural regions. The Congress Party government in Telangana is taking steps to support senior citizens by extending a\u00a030% discount on RTC fares<\/strong>. Additionally, we have appealed to the Central Government to\u00a0revive the train fare concession<\/strong>, ensuring more affordable travel options for seniors. In a significant development, at our request, the Hon\u2019ble Governor has graciously approved the construction of\u00a0ten multi-disciplinary centres for senior citizens in Hyderabad<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>at an estimated cost of\u00a0<\/em>\u20b9<\/em><\/strong>6 crores<\/em><\/strong>. These centres will serve as hubs for health, recreation, and social engagement, enriching their quality of life. We are also working on various other social initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of senior citizens, enhancing their well-being, and extending their lifespan.<\/em><\/p>\n The celebrations kicked off with a spirited walkathon that saw over 400 senior citizens, including 120 inspiring participants aged 70 and above, taking confident strides from Mahboob College, RP Road, to Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, SD Road. Adding to the lively atmosphere, the walkers were enthusiastically cheered on by over 50 schoolchildren, whose support brought energy and joy to the event. This heartfelt gesture of intergenerational bonding set the tone for a day dedicated to honouring the strength, resilience, and dignity of our elders.<\/p>\n By 2030, India\u2019s senior citizen population is expected to surpass 160 million, with a need to reshape the caregiving landscape like never before on war footing. This demographic shift highlights a pressing need for diverse support systems, spanning both paid and unpaid caregiving in formal and informal settings. As the population ages, the demand for holistic healthcare, dedicated care services, and robust social support has surged, especially for elderly individuals living with complex conditions like dementia. This transformative trend underscores the urgency of creating a compassionate, inclusive, and well-equipped ecosystem to meet the unique challenges of an aging nation.<\/p>\n About Heritage Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n Heritage Foundation is the designated Regional Resource and Training Centre on Ageing covering Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman Nicobar Islands by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The Foundation has been involved with the care of senior citizens since its inception in 1994. While being engaged with the various initiatives involving the senior citizens and their families, the Foundation is also involved in Indian policy formulation on ageing, since 1997, having served several ministries of the Government of India. The Foundation has also been involved with several policy initiatives related to the senior citizens including a committee to review the National Policy on Older Persons 1999, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, formulation of Assistive Devices for Older persons, Consultant to UNFPA India, Temporary Advisor to WHO SEAR, addressed the United Nations, White House Conference on Ageing amongst others.<\/p>\n Heritage Foundation promotes positive and promotive care of senior citizens A variety of programmes – training caregivers, intergenerational programmes in colleges and schools, conducting events such as Golden Couples, Best Made for Each Other Grandparent Grandchild, Fashion shows by senior citizens, intergenerational music and dance programmes (War of Ages) and so on.<\/p>\n Featured Article<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hyderabad, January 23rd, 2025:\u00a0The\u00a0International Day of Older Persons\u00a0was celebrated with great enthusiasm under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,\u00a0Government of India, in collaboration with the\u00a0Heritage Foundation Regional Resource and Training Centre, Hyderabad, today at the prestigious Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, Secunderabad. The celebrations were graced by Chief Guest\u00a0Mr. K. R. Gangadharan, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[136],"tags":[25438],"class_list":["post-26028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","","category-national","tag-international-day-of-older-persons"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/matribhumisamachar.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KNS1367-300x179.jpg\")
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