<span style="color: #222222;">Today is International Day of Older Persons. The day is observed on 1st October every year to reaffirm the commitment to promoting the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons. The theme this year is, 'Celebrating Older Human Rights champions'.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports the objective of the United Nations International Day for Older Persons is to recognise the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. The theme this year is, 'Celebrating Older Human Rights champions'. <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">According to the United Nations, almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60, and by 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world's population, will be 60 or older. <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by older people is clearly required. <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will confer Vayoshreshtha Samman 2018 for Eminent Senior Citizen and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons in New Delhi today. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot will preside over the function.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of National Awards instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment initially in 2005 and upgraded to the status of National Awards in 2013. <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Awards are intended to showcase the Government's concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society. <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It is also intended to provide an opportunity to the younger generation to understand the contribution of the elderly in building of the society and the nation. </span><br />