As the Hill welcomes the first sunrays of 1st October 2024, senior citizens of Jampui Hill woke up with nenewed hope and enthusiasm, for it is a day and an event they have been waiting and preparing for since the whole of September month: celebration of International Day of Older Persons at Vanghmun YMA Hall, Jampui Hill.
The event was held under the banner of Mizo Upa Pâwl (Mizo Senior Citizens Association) which has around 700 active members in Jampui Hill alone.
Delegates from the ten villages and also from across the border Mizoram state gathered in hundreds with their best Mizo traditional regalia and dresses.
Professional Mizo singers enthralled the senior citizens with traditional Mizo songs and with contemporary songs too. A remembrance vigil for deceased senior citizens during the current year was also part of the programme.
The event was graced by the presence of Lalbiakmawia Khiangte, retired Commissioner of Narcotics & Taxes (Govt of Mizoram) as Chief Guest, and Lalfaktlinga Hrangchal, Additional Director of Social Welfare & Social Education (Govt of Tripura); BC Nunga, BAC Chairman and Rev K. Darsailova, from Mizoram MUP Heeadquarters as Guests of Honour.
Other civil society organisations such as Mizo Convention, Tripura Group YMA, and Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhâwm Pawl (Mizo Women’s Association) also participte and support the event with their presence as well as rendering financial assistance towards the programme.
Lalfaktlinga Hrangchal, in his speech informs the senior citizens about the various schemes and programmes carried out and implemented by the Government of Tripura.
He mentions that over four lakhs senior citizens of Tripura benefit from the monthly pension scheme. This has to a great extent, he emphasises, helped in the physical and mental upkeep of the state’s senior citizens.
This year’s theme is: “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.” Dr Zairemthiama Pachuau, General Secretary of Mizo Convention and Founder and Chairman of HMC Hillcrest Medical Center Foundation speaks few thoughts about the theme, and emphasises that care and support for older persons must be at every level including family, community, society at large, and government including the way we design our policies, carry out programmes and build our public infrastructures.
The one day event concluded with vote of thanks from LT Muana, President and Lalthanzuala Sailo, Secretary of the Association followed by a grand community feasting!
(Tripura, Tripura News)
