KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel has said the senior citizens versed with knowledge, skills and experiences are the source of information for us and enabler of societal development.

Extending best wishes to all Nepali people at home and abroad for their good health, longevity and dignified life on the occasion of the National Senior Citizens Day, 2082 BS, he empathized the need of respect and proper protection of the senior citizens – the source of love, affection and compassion.

The President extended best wishes for the successful marking of the National Senior Citizens Day with expectation that the day will encourage all to facilitate the dignified life and livelihood of the senior citizens.

He urged one and all to show respectful behaviour to senior citizens while stressing the need for the families, society, organizations and three tiers of government to collaborate for the transfer of knowledge, skills and experiences of the elderly generation.

The Head of the Nation also called for the concerned sides to enhance effectiveness of the various government-sponsored facilities and entitlements for social security and protection of senior citizens.

Meanwhile, in a message delivered on the occasion, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav said the senior citizens should be accepted as a source of awareness rather not the burden.

He highlighted the need to develop senior citizen friendly infrastructure, augment social security, foster community assistance and improve mental health of the elderly to keep their glory intact.

The government has been celebrating Senior Citizens Day on Poush 11 (December 26) as per the Bikram Sambat calendar every year with the aim of increasing respect and awareness towards senior citizens and their plight.

With the slogan ‘Our Shared Campaign: Respect and Honour for Senior Citizens’, the National Senior Citizens Day, 2025 is being celebrated by organizing several programmes today.