34th International Day of Older Persons 2024 and discussion meeting held in Magura. The theme of the day is “Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Elderly Care and Support Systems Globally”. On Tuesday, October 1, at 10 am in the Magura District Commissioner’s Conference Room, Chander Hat, the Senior Citizens’ Day discussion meeting was organized by the Magura District Administration and in cooperation with the Magura District Social Services Office.
Md. Zakir Hossain, Deputy Director of Magura District Social Service Office presided over the event and Md. Zahidul Alam, Assistant Director of Magura Social Service Office moderated. Also present were ADC Abdul Quader, Magura Sadar Upazila Social Service Office Officer Jhumur Sarkar, Magura Handicapped Service and Aid Center Disability Affairs Officer Md. Bablur Rahman.
Magura District Commissioner Md. Ahidul Islam was present as the chief guest.
Zahid Hossain, General Secretary of Employees Welfare Association Abdul Majed, Historian and Social Worker Dr. Tasukuzzaman, Rova Foundation ED Kamruzzaman, Hero Freedom Fighter Paresh Kanti Saha, Advocate Ahmed, General Secretary of Pravin Hitaishi Sangh Md Nowsher Ali, Magura Govt. Retired Employees Welfare Association President Dr. MR Khan, Magura Civil Surgeon Dr. Shamim Kabir, GK Ideal Degree College Assistant Professor and Magura Veteran Philanthropy Women Affairs Secretary Shahana Ferdous Happy among others also speaking on International Veterans Day.
Introduction: World Senior Citizens Day was officially launched by former US President Ronald Reagan. He recognized this day by signing the Declaration on August 19, 1988. On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared August 21 as World Older Citizens Day. Subsequently, on December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 1 as International Elderly Day. Since 1991, today’s day has been celebrated as Senior Citizen’s Day in every country of the world.
The theme of the Senior Citizens Day is that the deprivation, discrimination, lack of rights and dignity of the senior citizens is not only limited to Bangladesh, but their plight exists more or less all over the world. “Endurance” refers not only to bearing and adjusting to adversity and adversities, but also to overcoming and conquering them. Meaningful change in the lives of the elderly requires the ability to endure and overcome adversity in every sphere, economic, health, and social, cultural. Policy, strategic and programmatic support is essential to achieve this capability. Economic resilience of the elderly, health resilience, mobility resilience, participation resilience, intergenerational relationships and inclusive society resilience can play a special role in bringing about positive change for the elderly population. It is important to take family, social and state initiatives to increase the tolerance of the elderly in Bangladesh.
Who are the elders? In our country, people above the age of 60 are generally considered elderly. The opinions of seniors are important for practical experience and expertise.
Purpose of Elderly Day Celebration: Elderly population constitutes a large part of the total population in any country. Everyone has to taste old age. Therefore, the main objective of celebrating the day is to ensure the protection and rights of the elderly without neglecting them as well as creating global public awareness on the issue of ageing. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever protects the honor and dignity of an elderly person, Allah Almighty will keep him safe from all fears and fears on the Day of Resurrection. Respecting the elderly and loving the younger is one of the rules of Islamic ethics. Those who do not obey this law of Islam, they must appear before Allah as criminals. In fact, ‘the wise man should be respected for his knowledge and the old man for his age.’ This is the teaching of Islam. Rasoolullah (PBUH) urged respect for elders. We have to remember that the social system of this world is made up of the old and the young. Those who came earlier in the world are respected by the latter and have the status of elders. And the young are entitled to the love and affection of the elders. It is the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (PBUH) to respect the elders and love the younger ones. In the hadith, Rasoolullah (PBUH) said about this, ‘Those who do not love the younger and do not respect the older are not of my group.’ In fact, a dignified person should be given the dignity he deserves. This is the teaching of the Prophet. In a hadith, Rasoolullah (PBUH) said, “Treat people according to their rank.” Abu Dawood, that’s right, rich and poor, honest and dishonest, young and old are all equal in the eyes of the law. No partiality can be shown to anyone. But in terms of social behavior, one should pay attention to knowledge-dignity, piety and other special status. The teaching of Islam is- It is inhumane and un-Islamic to take care of a child in the same way that parents care for them when they are helpless.
