JAMMU, Oct 1: On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv. Devraj Sharma called upon society to reaffirm its commitment towards the dignity, security, health and wellbeing of senior citizens, saying that the manner in which a society treats its elderly reflects its values and the quality of its social development.
Devraj Sharma said that October 1 should not remain confined to ceremonial programmes and formal greetings but should serve as an occasion to examine the challenges being faced by elderly people, particularly those who are living alone, facing health-related difficulties or becoming socially isolated due to changing family structures.
He said that in Jammu and Kashmir, respect for elders has traditionally been an integral part of family and community life. However, changing lifestyles, migration of younger generations for education and employment and the gradual weakening of joint-family structures have made it increasingly important for families and communities to remain attentive to the emotional and social needs of senior citizens.
“Our elders are the living repositories of experience, wisdom, traditions and values. They have spent decades building their families and contributing to society. Their age should never become a reason for neglect or exclusion. Respect for them must be reflected in our everyday conduct and not limited to one day of the year,” Sharma said.
He emphasised that caring for senior citizens cannot be left entirely to government schemes. While social-security programmes, pensions and healthcare facilities are essential, the family remains the first and most important source of emotional support for an elderly person.
Sharma urged younger generations to spend time with their elderly family members, listen to their experiences, involve them in family decisions and ensure that they do not feel isolated or unwanted. He said that intergenerational interaction can strengthen family bonds while enabling younger people to learn from the experiences of those who have witnessed different phases of social and economic transformation.
He further stressed the need to encourage older persons to remain active participants in community life. Senior citizens, he said, possess valuable knowledge and skills that can contribute to social, cultural and educational activities.
“We should not look at ageing only from the perspective of dependency. Older persons can continue to contribute to society in many meaningful ways according to their interests, health and abilities. Their participation strengthens communities and creates a valuable bridge between generations,” he said.
The BJP leader also called for continued attention to the healthcare needs of senior citizens. He said that accessible and affordable healthcare, regular medical check-ups, medicines, rehabilitation facilities and age-friendly arrangements at healthcare institutions are particularly important for an ageing population.
He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that eligible elderly persons receive social-security benefits without unnecessary difficulties. According to him, senior citizens, particularly those living in rural and remote areas, should be made aware of welfare schemes and assisted in accessing the benefits meant for them.
Sharma also highlighted the need for age-friendly public infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, including safer footpaths, accessible public buildings, adequate seating spaces, convenient transportation and facilities that can be used by elderly persons with limited mobility.
He said that digitalisation of public services has brought many benefits but can also create difficulties for elderly people who are unfamiliar with digital systems. He advocated providing adequate assistance to senior citizens so that they are not excluded from essential services because of the digital divide.
The senior BJP leader further called upon communities to remain vigilant about the problems of elderly people living alone and to extend timely assistance wherever required. He said that social isolation, financial vulnerability and neglect can seriously affect the quality of life of senior citizens and require collective attention.
“A progressive society cannot be judged merely by its roads, buildings, technology or economic growth. Its real strength is also reflected in how it treats those who spent their lives building families, institutions and communities. If our elderly citizens feel secure, respected and included, it reflects the health of our social fabric,” Sharma observed.
He said the International Day of Older Persons should become a renewed commitment by families, communities, institutions and governments to create conditions where ageing is associated with dignity rather than helplessness.Devraj Sharma appealed to every section of society to treat senior citizens with patience, compassion and respect and to ensure that no elderly person feels abandoned, unheard or excluded.
“Honouring older persons is ultimately about honouring human life itself. The respect and care we extend to today’s elderly generation also reflects the kind of society we are creating for tomorrow, because every generation deserves dignity, security and a meaningful place in society,” he said.