Dedicated to honouring senior citizens and equipping them with tools for healthy, secure living, the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, Government of Odisha, organised the state-level celebration of the International Day of Older Persons 2026 today in Bhubaneswar.
The day’s activities began early at Indira Gandhi Park with an invigorating yoga and wellness session organised by SSEPD officials. Senior faculties from the Art of Living, Harapriya Mishra and Pritish Kumar Mishra, guided elderly participants through tailored physical exercises, breathing routines, and mental wellness techniques designed to promote lifelong vitality.
The formal inauguration took place at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan, featuring key SSEPD leadership including Commissioner cum Secretary Brunda D., SSEPD Director Parul Patwari, and Additional Secretary Deepak Routrai.
Addressing the assembly as Chief Guest, Babu Singh, MLA for Ekamra, emphasised that senior citizens deserve recognition every day for their lifelong sacrifices and societal contributions. Citing the lines of Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi, “Mo jibana pache narke padi thau jagata udhar hou”, Singh highlighted the selfless nature of elders. He urged a revival of intergenerational storytelling between grandparents and grandchildren to preserve core human values and family unity.
Providing technical expertise, Chartered Accountant Arun Kumar Sabat delivered a session on financial literacy tailored for senior citizens. Sabat offered advice on tax planning, reverse mortgages, safe lending, and estate planning to safeguard assets and prevent family disputes. To preserve capital, he recommended avoiding volatile stock market trading in favour of professionally managed mutual funds and Gold ETFs. He further encouraged elders to use their savings to travel and invest in the future of their grandchildren.
The celebration concluded with a cultural performance by the Sweta Padma Cultural Group, directed by Music Director Sitansu Sekhar Rout. Singers Tansen Singh, Subhash Das, Srikar Padhi, Prasanta Samal, Anindita Das, and Chhanda Mishra rendered traditional and popular songs, bringing the event to a cheerful close.
The SSEPD Department continues to advance its core mission of advancing dignity, social security, and comprehensive welfare initiatives for senior citizens across Odisha.
