Senior Correspondent.TOD. Hili
International Day of Older Persons 2026 was observed with due respect and a series of cultural and commemorative programs in Hili on Thursday, organized by the Hili Senior Citizens’ Forum.The program, held at Vivekananda Vidyapith from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., centered on this year’s theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlighting the need to reconsider social systems and infrastructure to better support people living longer lives.
The event was presided over by the noted historian and history researcher Professor Himangshu Kumar Sarkar. It began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp, an inaugural song and the welcoming of guests.Kaushik Mallik, Block Development Officer of Hili, attended as the chief guest. Among the special guests were teacher Narayan Bhattacharya, social worker Mahabir Sarogi and community worker Suraj Das, along with other distinguished guests.
Speakers at the event discussed the significance of International Day of Older Persons and emphasized the dignity, security and active social participation of senior citizens. They also stressed the importance of developing social infrastructure suited to longer life expectancy and ensuring that the experience and knowledge of older people remain part of community life.The program also paid tribute to figures associated with the history of Hili and India’s freedom movement. Floral tributes were offered to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda and freedom fighter Pratap Chandra Majumdar.
The organizers also remembered 117 freedom fighters from the Hili area who participated in India’s struggle for independence, describing the commemoration as an effort to preserve the region’s local history and the memory of those associated with the freedom movement.The cultural program featured students of Vivekananda Vidyapith, who presented a group inaugural song and a Bratachari dance. Performances of music, dance and recitation were also presented by Nilakshi Kundu, Bratindranath Das, Sucharita Pandey, Mita Sarkar, Asmita Biswas, Dharmishtha Saha and artists from Nupur Dance Academy. Mita Sarkar also presented a musical performance.
Students of the school, along with Srabani Sutradhar, welcomed the guests with uttariyas and floral bouquets. The event concluded with a community meal, following a day devoted to honoring older citizens, remembering local history and highlighting the importance of keeping senior citizens actively connected to society.
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