Senior citizens call on Prez on International Day of Older Persons

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) A group of senior citizens called on President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons here today.

Speaking to them, the President said that the senior citizens in our society needed care and attention. Acknowledging the significance of contributions made by the elderly to the society, she said that the society should in turn recognise their needs, particularly the emotional needs of the senior citizens.

She commended the role of organisations which brought together the elderly as by bringing people of the same age together, they would provide each other mutual support.

The group of senior citizens, during the discussions, felt that old age was more than a physical condition; it was a state where one was helpless and dependent on others. The group felt that despite old age, senior citizens could still contribute to society. The group of senior citizens welcomed the move by the government to introduce a Bill in Parliament for the welfare of parents and senior citizens.

UNI