NONGPOH/TURA: Together with the rest of the country, the International Day of Older Persons was also celebrated at Bhoirymbong CHC Conference Hall on Tuesday.
The programme was organised by the office of the District Social Welfare Officer, Ri Bhoi, Nongpoh.
G.B Lyngdoh, MLA of Umroi Constituency was the chief guest along with W. Nongrum, District Social Welfare Officer, D.V Massar, District Programme Officer, ICDS Cell, E. Kharkongor, Protection Officer, Non-Institutional (ICPS).
The programme was attended by the village elders, and older persons of Bhoirymbong area.
Resource persons for the day included AJ Syiemlieh, representative from the office of DM&HO, M. Shadap and Q. Mawphniang, representatives from the District Legal Services Authority.
Sellington Masharing (85) from Umket and Philisimai Ramshon (97) from Bhoirymbong were felicitated and recognised as the oldest persons of Bhoirymbong area. The programme also included cultural performances by the students of Mynken Hr. Sec School Mawbri and RAWA from Umsning.
GH honours elders
Meanwhile, the occasion was also observed at Matchikol L P School, near Tura on Tuesday where West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh was the chief guest.
West Garo Hills District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO), Marwin R Sangma said that there will be separate counters and wards for senior citizens as well as 5 beds for male and female each at hospitals and other health care centres, in the region. Necessary treatment and medicines will be provided free of cost, he added.
The chief guest also distributed walking sticks to the elderly people which were sponsored by the HDFC Bank, Tura.
Baghmara in South Garo Hills also observed the day and the programme was organised by the District Social Welfare Department at Jongkol SSA School premises in which AT Sangma, Superintendent of Police, South Garo Hills was the chief guest.
Free medical checkups were conducted as well as gifts distributed to all the elderly people who were present.
The occasion was also observed in North Garo Hills at Borjhora, Bajengdoba, organised by the District Social Welfare Office in tandem with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Resubelpara.
Earlier, checkup for people above sixty years was also conducted as part of the programme by the medical department.
Two elderly persons of ninety years were felicitated as the oldest people of the area.
The occasion was also celebrated in by the district administration of East Garo Hills at the DRDA Hall in Williamnagar. Swapnil Tembe, East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Novareen Umdor, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) were present.
The DC also felicitated one Jenilla R Sangma who has touched 110 years.
Others who spoke on the occasion included District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO), Janulla K Marak, Protection Officer of the District Child Protection Unit, Mamuni K Marak and Bansara Nengnong, District Program Officer, ICDS Cell.
Meanwhile, in South West Garo Hills, two elderly citizens were felicitated at Boldamgre near Ampati, South West Garo Hills.
Horison Sangma (85) and Minthi Sangma (81) were felicitated by Zikzak C&RD BDO Mary Lisa K Marak.
Linda J Sangma, District Social Welfare Officer and Mikrak Sangma, Medical Officer, Ampati were also present on the occasion.
Amlarem programme
for senior citizens
The District Legal Services Authority, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai also observed the day for senior citizens in Amlarem.
D. Sohtun, Secretary, District Legal Services, Jowai urged everyone to respect senior citizens and the elderly.
F.S. Suiam, Legal Aid Counsel, informed the gathering of the different schemes under NALSA for the welfare of senior citizens and also apprised the people about the various legal provisions for safeguarding senior citizens against ill treatment and abuse.
Others who spoke on the occasion included A. Khonglah, P. Tariang, SDPO Amlarem and J. Kharpuri, Addl. Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Amlarem Sub-Division.
