Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi has categorically said that State Government should take care of senior citizens (aged above 65 years) so that they need not depend on anyone. The State should make an arrangement of pilgrimage and other tourist spots so that they would not feel disheartened.
The State should also organise some workshop for the youth so that they would pay respect to their elders. “As we know that when we irrigate, only then do we get green trees; otherwise, they would wilt.” He expressed this view while speaking at an international old age day function, which was organised by Management and leadership Development Centre (MlDC) and ONGC retired officers association, in ONGC auditorium, Dehradun on Sunday.
In his address, Dr Qureshi said that old age is problem of each country. Basic difference is that in foreign country it is acceptable but in India it is not suitable. “It is our tradition that we pay respect to our elders. After completing social obligation if they adopt saint life voluntarily, we accept with whole heatedly. Now time has taken u-turn and children are considering them as burden. Now several NGOs are running old age home but they failed to provide emotional attachment and medical facilities.”
The State can utilise physically and mentally able old age people because they are having vast experience in different field. On the occasion, Dr Qureshi also released a book titled ‘Active aging-aging with joy’. later, he also felicitated those who were more than 80 years old and had played active role in social work. MlDC chairman Johri lal, Sudhakar Dave, MN Singh and ONGC General Manager (administration) Desh Deepak Mishra along with several eminent and senior citizens were present there.