KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has felicitated personalities from different walks of life on the occasion of the first National Senior Citizens Day.
Centenarian personality and a noted culture expert Satya Mohan Joshi, senior journalists Bhairav Risal and Krishna Tamrakar, economist and first governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Himalaya Shumser Rana, education promoter Nanimaiya Shrestha, litterateur Bhadra Kumari Ghale, artist Kalu Kumale and deputy mayor of Birgunj Submetropolis Shanti Karki were given felicitations by the Head of the State amidst a ceremony organised by the National Senior Citizens Fund, Social Welfare Council at the Shital Niwas today.
Likewise, artistes Madan Das Shrestha, former secretary Krishnahari Baskota, former government employee Mohan Bahadur KC, social activists Prakash Gautam, Khem Raj Upadhyay, Bal Krishna Thapa Magar and Jog Bahadur Maharjan were also honoured in recognition of their service to the cause of senior citizens.
On the occasion, President Bhandari insisted on the need of acknowledging knowledge, inspirations, experiences and skills of senior citizens and utilizing them for the welfare of the society and nation.
The President drew the attention of all not letting the dignity of senior citizens to be hurt and ensuring the effective enforcement of government facilities meant for them.
Feted personality Joshi said, “Old age is for living a more realistic, beautiful and meaningful life.” He took time to advise the senior citizens to try to spend quality time.
Lalitpur Metropolis mayor Chiribabu Maharjan informed that a 10-bed old age home had been built in Lalitpur and the service would be launched soon.
According to Fund President Basanta Raj Karki, the celebration of the National Senior Citizens Day commemorates the day when the then Man Mohan Adhikari-led government had launched the old-age allowance of Rs 100 on December 26, 1994.
The winners of a poetry competition about the senior citizens were also awarded on the occasion.
