Marking ‘International Day of Older Persons’ this year, HelpAge India pushed forth the importance of inter-generational bonding through its HUG – Help Unite Generations campaign. Emphasizing the need for love, care, respect and friendship between both the young and old, it marked the day across India. In the national capital, the Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Hamid Ansari, highlighted the increasing gap in inter-generational ties. “The Indian society is undergoing rapid urbanization under the impact of industrialization and globalization. Traditional values and institutions are changing resulting in weakening of inter-generational ties. Transition from rural agrarian setup to urban industrial way of life, migration from villages to cities and increasingly abroad, forces the young generation to leave their elderly alone back home”, he said.

Similarly across India, inter-generational walkathons, signature campaigns, street plays, inter-generational meets and various other event were organized, to bring home the fact that it is vital for both generations to bond and be support systems for each other.