An eight-day webinar on the International Day of Older Persons concluded here last week.
The participants were from diverse sections of society. Former bureaucrat Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, former Professor Dr Surya Narayan Misra joined as chief guest and chief speaker respectively of the valedictory session.Columnist Shyam Sundar Agrawalla, sociologist Tejeswar Parida and president of All Odisha Senior Citizen Association Krupasindhu Sahoo joined as guests of honour of the webinar. Chief guest Mohapatra gave emphasis on four types of security needs to every senior citizens like physical, financial, emotional and geriatric care. He said these should be included in our public health policy and also stated that every senior citizen has right to live with dignity .
Chief Speaker Prof Misra highlighted that the age limit of senior citizen be enhanced from 60 years to 65 and the Government should provide yellow card to age group in 65 to 69 years and green card to age above 80 years for availing all the opportunities of Government.
Agawalla said that the Government should remove GST from necessary items which is used by senior citizens like wheel chair, walks stick etc. Parida gave emphasis on adult education for senior citizens based on National Education Policy.