IMPHAL, October 1: Children must respect their parents who are like `Gods` in human form and should not abandon them when they grow old, stated Social Welfare minister Ak Mirabai speaking at the observation of the International Day for Older Persons at Ima Ibema Khunthokhanbi Sanglen in Thangmeiband near the DM college gate today.
The day was observed by the State department of Social Welfare under the theme `Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All.`
Mirabai said the trend of ill-treating elderly people by their sons and daughters which is widespread across the globe has reached the State due to the degradation of human values, moral character.
However, love and respect can change the trend of mistreating the elderly, she added.
Speaking as the chief guest, Social Welfare principal secretary S.K. Dev Varman said the traditional system of joint families in the country is falling apart as one wants to escape from the responsibilities of looking after their elderly parents.
Discarding the parents specially occurs with the rich families, he said while appealing for putting an end to this trend and going back to the traditional way by showing respect and responsibility towards the elders.
The elderly people present in the function were presented with shawls, and a demonstration of practising yoga was conducted by H Mitreshwar Singh of the Manipur School of Yoga to teach the senior citizens methods of keeping themselves healthy.
The function was attended by Khangabok MLA Okram Landhoni Devi as the president while Kakching MLA Yengkhom Surchandra Singh and Manipur State Commission for Women chairperson Dr L Ibetombi attended the event as guests of honour.
Meanhwile, the Imphal East Senior Citizen Forum also observed the International Day for Older Persons by honouring 11 elderly people of Imphal East. During the observation, 11 elderly people of Imphal East were honoured with token of appreciation by the forum.
The 11 people hailed from Heingang, Khurai, Wangkhei, Kshetrigao, Thongju and Yaiskul respectively. The forum observed the day at the Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi Awang Leikai community hall. Y Radheshyam, a retired IAS officer, graced the event as the president. Manipur State commissioner (disabilities), Laishram Ibomcha delivered a speech on the topic of teenage and welfare of senior citizens.
Later, eight people who were conferred national awards were honoured with simple gifts by the forum.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/children-should-not-abandon-their-parents-when-they-grow-old-says-ak-mirabai/