sr citizens are reservoir of vision and wisdom and have a big role to play in social reformation and communal harmony.JKCSF.
SRINAGAR, AUGUST,21:
On the occasion of Senior Citizens’ Day, JKCSF and JKPUF express deep concern over the neglect of elders in Jammu & Kashmir. It is most unfortunate that although the Senior Citizens Act was passed in 2017 in J&K, it has not been implemented to date. As a result, our senior citizens remain deprived of facilities and rights which their counterparts in other parts of the country are already enjoying. Even the basic issuance of Senior Citizen Cards by the District Social Welfare Offices has not been ensured, and at vital institutions like airports, civil secretariat, AG office, DDC offices, and courts, elders are subjected to neglect rather than respect.
Abdul Qayoom Wani said that senior citizens are a reservoir of wisdom, vision, and guidance for younger generations. Historically, Kashmir and other societies across the globe have upheld elders with reverence, seeking their advice in family and social matters. Sadly, today many are left abandoned in old age homes, and their rights and dignity are overlooked. On this day, Wani regretted that there was no meaningful mention from concerned stakeholders, even though all of us will have to sail in the same boat tomorrow.
He urged the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to immediately implement the Senior Citizens Act 2017 in J&K, provide all legitimate facilities to elders, and ensure their humane treatment in public institutions through dedicated senior citizens’ counters and support services.
At the same time, Wani appealed to the youth and civil society to recognize their duties towards elders—respecting them, standing by them, and learning from their experience. He further requested senior citizens themselves to contribute to social reformation, fight drug menace, curb social evils, and work for communal harmony, which is the need of the hour.
Wani concluded by warning that enough is enough—civil society and senior citizens will not hesitate to hit the roads if justice is not delivered by immediate implementation of the law and restoration of the rights of elders.