World Senior Citizens Day - 21st August 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Senior Citizens Day is celebrated every year on 21st August with the aim of honouring the elderly around the world.

An Overview of the News

• This day acknowledges the contributions of senior citizens and raises awareness about the global issues they face.

Growing Elderly Population in India:

• India's elderly population is rapidly increasing, projected to reach 193.4 million by 2031 (Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections, July 2020).

• This marks a significant rise from the 103.8 million senior citizens recorded in the 2011 Census, which constituted 8.6% of the total population.

Importance in India:

• The observance of World Senior Citizen Day in India is particularly important due to these demographic shifts, which are reshaping the nation's social landscape.

• The growing elderly population underscores the need to address critical issues such as healthcare, economic security, and social integration for older adults.

Government Initiatives:

• The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to enhance the well-being of senior citizens.

• These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population in India.

History of the day :

• The United Nations General Assembly had announced to celebrate this day on 14 December 1990.

• International Senior Citizens Day was celebrated for the first time on 1 October 1991.

• In the US, President Ronald Reagan signed this resolution on 19 August 1988, and on 21 August 1988, International Senior Citizens Day was celebrated for the first time in the United States.

• Ronald Reagan was the first person to introduce Senior Citizens Day.