Help Age India holds Seminar on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Ferozepur, June 16, 2021: A seminar was organized by HelpPage India in association with the Peace Welfare Foundation, Mamdot on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The theme for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is 'Access to Justice' Every year, June 15 is marked as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It is the day that educates people about the abuses suffered by the elderly population around the world and it could be verbal, physical or emotional.
HelpAge India which has been working for the elderly for the last 43 years. This organization has been advising government policy makers to protect the rights of the elderly for many years.
Speaking on the occasion on behalf of HelpPage India, Prem Masih, President, Peace Welfare Foundation and senior member Dilip Kumar highlighted the mistreatment of the elderly and the significance of this day. He said that a new survey conducted by HelpAge in 6 cities has revealed some shocking facts. He said that there were already a lot of cases of abuse of senior citizens across Punjab, where Covid 19 had a profound effect on the lives of the elderly and it had proved to be a silent torturer. Elderly people are abused at home by family members. The reason for the abuse is the perceived financial burden on the elders by the family members, which is a very wrong thinking.
Dalip Kumar further said, the parents not only nurture their sons and daughters in all circumstances but also do their utmost to improve their future. It is matter of serious concern that she same sons and daughters are burdened by their parents in old age.
He said that the Government of India was launching a helpline called Elder Line - 14567 to address the problems of the elderly. It is being launched in Punjab by the Department of Social Security, Punjab and HelpAge India. The elder can call this number for any problem. On this occasion he also recited a heart touching poem on the elders. The President shared the problems of the elders of the area and apprised them of the initiatives being taken by his association and appealed to the elders of the area to join the association.
On this occasion, Manjit Singh, Secretary, Tarsem Masih, Roop Lal, Madan Lal,Surja Masih, Naveen Pal,Tarsem Baboo, Sham Lal, Wilson and others were present.