GUWAHATI, Jan 19 - The role of elderly people as dependable guides of the society and to lead others on the moral path was highlighted at a meeting held at Garchuk Ahom Gaon under the aegis of the local senior citizens� association.
Inaugurating the meeting held on Friday, Dr Devdas Bharali, president of the Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Senior Citizens� Association, explained the five principles of the UN on protection of rights of elderly citizens and dwelt on various welfare legislations of the Central and State governments for ameliorating the conditions of the elderly.
Senior journalist DN Chakravartty explained how through the ages throughout the world, the elderly people have been guiding the destinies of the nations and shaping their future. He stressed the need for a more purposeful role by senior citizens to restrain the younger generation from moral aberration and social confusion.
The meeting was presided over by Prof Sudhir Kumar Mandal. Son Charan Baishya, general secretary of the association, expressed satisfaction at the good response from the elderly people of the locality in building up the association in the last two years. Prasanna Barthakur, organising secretary of the Assam Senior Citizens� Association, spoke on the National Policy for Elderly Citizens and appealed to the people to actively participate for full realisation of the objectives of the Senior Citizens� Welfare Bill.
Pandit Umakanta Sarma Shastri released a souvenir Abelir Rang published on the occasion, and explained the principles and objectives enshrined in the Indian scriptures about the duties and responsibilities and rights of the elderly.
