The President of India Shri Pranab Mukharjee presented the National Awards for Senior Citizens “Vayoshreshtha Samman-2016” to eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens at a function organized by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment here today. Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Thawaarchand Gehlot presided over the function. Ministers of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Vijay Sampla and Shri Krishna Pal Gutjar, Secretary, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment Smt. Anita Agnihotri and many dignitaries were present. These awards were presented as part of the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) on 1^st October.

Addressing on the occasion, the President said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is doing a good job by providing various reliefs to the elderly in society. The efforts of the Ministry are being complemented by other Ministries of the Government of India but the problem is gigantic. Senior citizens in our country – that is, the segment of our population that is aged above 60 years, numbers about ten and half crores. Of these, 5.1 crore are male and 5.3 crores are female. Current projections indicate that by the year 2026, the number of senior citizens, male and female, will be 8.4 and 8.8 crores respectively i.e. a total of 10 percent of our population. In view of this, there will be increased requirement of trained manpower and medical infrastructure for geriatric care. Additional resources will be required to protect their rights and to ensure their social inclusion and economic independence. Social inclusion of the aged population is an indispensible gesture that can only partly repay the gift of life and nurturing received from our elders.

Shri Thawaarchand  Gehlot in his address said that his government is committed to ensure the welfare of elderly persons and this award presentation is a move in that direction. These National Awards are intended to show case the Government's concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society.  The recipients of these Awards are drawn from diverse fields.  Due to emergence of unilateral families and disintegration of joint families, the social status of our elderly persons is also on the verge of decline. So, the government is trying to provide them safety, security and other facilities.  A National Policy for Elderly Persons is in the final stage, which is expected to be announced in the current financial year. Many NGOs, voluntary organizations and state governments are working very well in this field. He announced that his ministry will try to provide Modern Support Sticks, wheel chairs and hearing aids etc to elderly persons also as it is providing the same to Divyangjans.

Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of National Awards instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (D/o Social Justice & Empowerment) initially in 2005 and was upgraded to the status of National Awards in 2013, for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons especially indigent senior citizens and to eminent citizens in recognition of their service/achievements. Ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment, Health and Rural Development are running such useful schemes for the welfare of elderly persons.

International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st of October every year pursuant to the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons with the theme, “a society for all ages”. The Ministry has been conferring “Vayoshrestha Samman” every year on this day since 2005, to eminent citizens and institutions in recognition of their outstanding services to the elderly people, especially indigent senior citizens. The “Vayoshrestha Samman” was elevated to the level of national awards in 2013 under 13 categories and this is the second year in which these national awards are being conferred. 

National Awards are intended to show case the Government's concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society.  It is also intended to provide an opportunity to the younger generation to understand the contribution of the elderly in building of the society and the nation.  The awards are intended to be conferred on eminent senior citizens and institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons especially indigent senior citizens.  The recipients are drawn from diverse fields.  The Awards are given to institutions/organisations/individuals from any part of the country.  Nominations are invited from Governmental and Non-Governmental Agencies. 

Following is the list of the awardees for the year 2016.

*****

Sanjay Kumar/jk/MoSJ&E/01.10.2016