By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 2: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday said that the government was striving to make the lives of senior citizens comfortable and blissful.
Extending his best wishes to the senior citizens on the occasion of 30th International Day for Elderly People, PM Oli said, "The government will always try to create a favourable environment for the elderly where they can embrace strong mentality, optimistic belief and an active lifestyle."
He also stated that the government, via various ministries, departments and organizations, was working duly to make sure that the senior citizens of Nepal did not face any difficulties or felt helpless. "It is their right to live an easy and comfortable life, receive proper treatment when sick and other facilities," he said. Stating that it is because of ‘our parents that we get to step in this world’, the Prime Minister said, "I humbly request everyone to not disregard their parents' role in their life and be civilised. It is our culture and tradition to respect elders and love juniors, and we should always stick to this."
He further said that the senior citizens were almost like a university. "They're the storehouse of knowledge as they are well informed about every field, including geography, administration, economy, history, traditional and cultural diversity, among others," he added. "We should focus on appreciating their knowledge and experiences by handing them over to the upcoming generation."
Prime Minister Oli also reminded that the constitution had ensured all the rights of senior citizens and the government was fulfilling its promise of increasing the social security allowances of the elderly people.
He also appealed the local levels and administrations to ease the distribution of allowances to the senior citizens amid the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As senior citizens are more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus infection, the government has requested them to not step out of their houses. So I request the local levels and banks to provide the allowances to the senior citizens at their doorsteps," said the PM.