By TC News Desk
Agartala, 1st October 2024: Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy called for a change in the societal practice of placing elderly individuals in old age homes. Speaking on Tuesday, he urged society to address this issue and informed that the Tripura government currently provides social allowances to more than 1.65 lakh senior citizens.
“Elders serve as society’s guides, offering valuable advice and life experiences. Society, the state, and the country all stand to benefit from their wisdom. Those who are young today will one day be elders themselves. It is crucial that we avoid relying on old age homes and begin overcoming this societal disorder,” said Roy.
He stressed that elders deserve genuine respect, which should be reflected in their treatment within the family. “The true significance of International Day of Older Persons can only be realized when we respect our elders,” he added.
Roy made these remarks during the inauguration of the state-level International Senior Citizens Day celebrations held at Muktadhara Auditorium. He reiterated that seniors are the cornerstone of families and should never be neglected, urging everyone to seek their advice and honor their contributions.
“The tradition of sending elders to old age homes should be phased out. This societal problem needs a collective solution,” said the Minister, emphasizing the need for respect to start at home.
Roy further mentioned that six homes in the state are currently run by NGOs, and both central and state governments have launched various initiatives for the welfare of the elderly. These include socio-economic programs for the disabled, nutritional support for pregnant women, and efforts to prevent child marriage.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted that Tripura is home to around 40,000 disabled individuals, of which 30,000 have been issued UDID cards. Allowances are being provided to 1,65,013 senior citizens.
