Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 11: For the first time in nation’s history, an Indian institution ‘HelpAge India’ won the prestigious ‘2020 UN Population Award’ in its ‘institutional category’. The United Nations every year honours an individual or institution for outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health. This honour comes in recognition of the organization’s outstanding contribution to population issues and awareness, in its efforts in the realization of older person’s rights in India since 1978. The United Nations Population Fund, India held a felicitation ceremony today and presented the award, which included a Diploma Certificate, a gold medal and a monetary prize. HelpAge India has been working for the cause and care of disadvantaged older persons to improve their quality of life for over four decades. It receives this recognition for its impactful work with and for disadvantaged elderly. It works in 125 districts spread across 25 States in India and voices concerns of elders so they can lead secure and dignified lives. Addressing ageing issues and concerns in India at the award ceremony today, Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin, Representative of UNFPA India said, “This is a moment of immense pride and joy for all of us working here in India, especially for those of us who are working in the field of ageing and care of the elderly.” In his acceptance speech, Kiran Karnik, Chairperson, HelpAge India said, “It is an honour, on behalf of HelpAge India, to receive the UN Population Award 2020, a first for an Indian non-profit in this category. We are particularly happy to see ageing concerns being brought to centre-stage.” HelpAge India runs one of the largest mobile healthcare programs through its Mobile Healthcare Units spanning the country, providing free healthcare services to 3 million free treatments to vulnerable and destitute elders. In an effort to meet the challenges faced by older persons in India in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic UNFPA partnered with HelpAge India to address the special vulnerabilities and risks that the elderly are facing.
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