The International Day of Older Persons 2021, under the theme ‘Digital Equity for All Ages’ was observed at the office of the District Welfare Office, Kohima on 1st October 2021.
On the occasion, the ‘Distinguished Senior Citizen Award’ were conferred to Vasasüle Metha and B.K. Sachü, both retired private school teachers, in recognition of their contributions to the society as teachers and mentors of students.
The District Welfare Officer, Kohima, Akali Sema gave the welcome address and keynote speech wherein she said that one of the objectives of observing the day throughout the world was to take steps to honour and accord respect to the senior citizens. She also explained about the relevance of the theme ‘Digital Equity for all ages’, especially in the context of the pandemic, where the accelerated digitization has been a challenge for the off-line or elder generations. She said it was important to create access and meaningful participation of all in the current situation.
Speaking briefly after receiving the award, Visasüle Metha, who served in Kohima English School, now Mezhür Higher Secondary School for about 36 years said that it was always a pleasure and a blessing to teach the young students their basic ABCs when they first started school, whom she considered as her own children. She thanked the department for honouring her with the award, which she felt she did not deserve or ever expected.
Also speaking on the occasion awardee B.K. Sachü said he was in the teaching profession and associated with it for about 54 years. Sharing his thoughts on the present world where in a lot of countries peace was lacking, he said that human beings were created in the image of God and if we neglect that, we are nothing.
The citations of the awardees were read out by Neikesonuo, UDA, while Rev. James C. Neikhrienyü, Senior Pastor of Baptist Mission Church gave the invocation prayer. Vote of thanks was pronounced by Welfare Inspector, Zahebeituo Kire.
(Wepre Kronu, APRO)
