Call to honour wisdom, work, sacrifices of older people

International Day of Older Persons was observed in the districts including Gopalganj, Joypurhat, Narayanganj and Rajbari on Thursday with rallies and discussion meetings under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives” and with a call to honour the wisdom, work and sacrifices of older people.

GOPALGANJ: The district administration and the District Social Services Office jointly organised a rally led by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Arif-Uz-Zaman that toured key town roads before returning to the district administration office, where a discussion was held.

Additional DC (General) Shobhon Sarkar and Deputy Director (DD) of the District Social Services Office Muhammad Murad Hossain participated in this.

At the event, officials presented old-age allowance books to four residents aged over 60. Senior district officials, government officers and older residents attended.

JOYPURHAT: On the occasion, a rally began from the front of the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) that paraded through the town’s main roads and ended at the Model Mosque Complex. 

A discussion followed, attended by DC Al Mamun Mia, District BNP Convener Golzar Hossain, DD of the District Social Services Office AKM Moniruzzaman, Executive Director of the NGO 'Eso' and General Secretary (GS) of the District NGO Coordination Committee Matinur Rahman Matin, President of Bangladesh Probin Hitoishi Sangha Akram Hossain and GS Abdul Hai, President of District Senior Citizens' Welfare Association Afzal Hossain and GS Mohfel Uddin.

Speakers said older people are not a burden but valuable contributors whose experience has helped build society and the state. They called for stronger coordinated efforts to ensure senior citizens’ healthcare, social protection, rights, dignity and security.

NARAYANGANJ: On the occasion, the district administration, District Social Services Office, District Probin Hitoishi Sangha and Institute of Geriatric Medicine jointly organised a discussion meeting at the DC office.

In the meeting, speakers urged families to ensure older people receive dignity, care and support and said they should not be forced into old-age homes. They called for priority services for senior citizens at government hospitals, public transport and other service agencies, including dedicated healthcare facilities to reduce waiting times.

DC Md Raihan Kabir called for greater participation of older persons in family, social and state activities, along with fast-track government services and age-friendly infrastructure such as sidewalks and footbridges.

The meeting was chaired by DD of District Social Services Office Masudul Hasan Tapas. Additional District Magistrate Naima Islam, Dr Shahidul Islam from the Civil Surgeon's office, and President of the Narayanganj District unit of DAB Jahangir Alam, along with leaders of socio-cultural organisations, spoke at the meeting.

RAJBARI: On the occasion, a rally organised by the district administration began from the DC Office, paraded through key town roads and returned to the office.

The administration, Rajbari Probin Hitoishi Sangha and District Social Services Office jointly held a discussion chaired by Additional DC (General) Tarif-ul Hasan where DC Afroza Parvin attended as chief guest. 

Special guests present at the meeting included District Additional SP Shahidul Islam, DD of District Social Services Office Abu Saleh Mohammad Ali Ahsan, and President of District Probin Hitoishi Sangha and former principal of Kushtia Amla Government College Kudrat-e-Gul, and GS of District Probin Hitoishi Sangha Md Abdul Jalil. Besides, former District BNP convener Principal Manjurul Alam Dulal, Abu Daiyan Mohammad Jahangir, and former joint convener Gazi Ahsan Habib were present.

Speakers said older people have made significant contributions to their families, society and the country and called for national initiatives to ensure their security, healthcare and social dignity while making greater use of their experience and knowledge.