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Senior citizens discuss rights for elderly

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 23 - The United Nations Principles for Older Persons announced in 1991 and the National Policy of India securing rights for elderly persons were discussed at length at the fifth biennial session of the Fatasil Ambari Senior Citizens� Association.

The meeting, which began with the hoisting of the senior citizens� association flag, included a general meeting presided over by Dibakar Bhagawati, president of the association.

Releasing the association mouthpiece Abelir Rang, senior journalist DN Chakravartty said the world today has nearly 90 crore elderly people, while the number of elderly in India would soon cross 10 crore. He spoke about the rights and privileges for senior citizens as enunciated by the UN while presenting in detail the policy for elder persons announced by the Government of India.

Dr Manoranjan Sarma, president of the Assam Senior Citizens� Association (ASCA), explained the steps taken by the association to secure the constitutional rights of the elderly people in the State.

Dr Devdas Bharali, president of the Kamrup Mahanagar Senior Citizens� Association, spoke about the responsibilities of elderly persons in creating a conducive climate where morality and piety would supersede all petty considerations.

ASCA general secretary Baneswar Khound expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic response of the elderly citizens of the State to the programmes of action of the association. Prasanna Barthakur, assistant general secretary, appealed to the senior citizens to stay united in fulfilling the mission of the association. Earlier, Harakanta Goswami, general secretary of the Fatasil Ambari association, delivered the welcome address. Psychiatrist Dr Jayanta Das spoke about various problems affecting the elderly people such as dementia, Alzheimer�s, etc.

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