AGARTALA, October 21 (TIWN): To mark the International Day of Older Persons 2014 a posthumous body and eye donation ceremony was organized by Government Pensioners’ Association Tripura at Government Pensioners’ Association premises, here today.

While speaking in the ceremony, Minister for Social Welfare & Social Education Bijita Nath said that each year so many lives are lost while waiting for an organ transplant. Not everyone is lucky enough to receive an organ donation as it is still considered a taboo in Tripura due to many religious misbelieves.

India has a rate of less than 0.2 donors per one million population. An estimated 500,000 people die each year in India because of shortage of organ transplants in gigantic proportions, the minister mentioned.

One of the major reasons being touted by experts is the lack of awareness. People need to be educated that organ transplantation from brain-dead patients is a part of medical treatment, she said.

Bijita further said that another major problem faced in this aspect is that most Indians are superstitious about organ donation and believe that donation of a posthumous body's organs is an evil practice and that an individual’s soul will not rest in peace if the body parts are mutilated. Though it is an emotional issue for families, yet they need to be counseled that organ donation of their loved ones can give a fresh lease of life to so many people, she added.

During the ceremony a total of 17 persons donated their body and 29 persons donated their eye. Since 2006, a total of 28 pairs of eyes were deposited by voluntary donors and these were successfully implanted in 23 people, who can now see the world.

The day is also celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.

The day is celebrated every year to make certain the welfare of elder persons as well as to enroll their significant involvement in the society to get promoted from their knowledge and ability. The Plan of Action on Ageing was adopted by the World Assembly on ageing to encourage the society development for all ages. The day is celebrated worldwide to examine issues, promote public awareness and focus on which type of behavior can help older men and women throughout their life, Bijita further said.