Rajasthan to Make State Elderly Friendly | 01 Oct 2025
Why in News?
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reiterated the state government's commitment to making Rajasthan an "elderly-friendly state" during his address ahead of the International Day of Older Persons, which is observed annually on 1st October.
Key Points
- Initiatives by Rajasthan Government:
- Honouring Contributions: The Social Justice and Empowerment Department has launched various welfare programs for the elderly, and on 1st October, individuals and institutions contributing to elderly welfare will be honoured at the district level.
- Rajasthan currently operates 63 old-age homes that provide food, healthcare, and shelter for destitute citizens.
- Facilities like Shravan Kumar Welfare Ashrams offer medical support, adult education, religious activities, and recreation for senior citizens.
- Inclusive Welfare Projects: All new welfare and infrastructure projects will include provisions tailored for senior citizens.
- Housing Schemes: New housing developments will feature ramps, supportive staircases, parks, and medical facilities to cater to the needs of the elderly.
- Parents and Senior Citizens Maintenance Act, 2007: The Act is being strictly enforced, and tribunals have been set up at both subdivision and district levels to safeguard the rights of senior citizens.
- Honouring Contributions: The Social Justice and Empowerment Department has launched various welfare programs for the elderly, and on 1st October, individuals and institutions contributing to elderly welfare will be honoured at the district level.
- International Day of Older Persons: This day is celebrated to recognise the contributions made by older people and promote the need for inclusive and age-friendly societies.
- Designated by the UN General Assembly on 14th October, 1990, it is based on the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing (1982) and the UN Principles for Older Persons.
- Theme: The 2025 theme, “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”, highlights the transformative role older persons play in building resilient and equitable societies.
- Commitments & Global Framework:
- The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) aligns with SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being.
- India formulated the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) in 1999 and is a signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002).
- As of December 2023, India has 153 million elderly individuals (aged 60 and above), projected to rise to 347 million by 2050, accounting for 20.8% of the total population.