April 10, 2002

    The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya had a meeting with the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan in Madrid on Tuesday (April 9) on the sidelines of the World Assembly on Ageing. Dr. Jatiya apprised him about various measures taken by the Government of India in promoting the care and welfare of the elderly people. They also discussed various other matters of mutual interest.

    Dr. Jatiya also called on the Queen of Spain. He also held consultations with delegations of various other countries attending the World Assembly and exchanged views on empowerment of the week and marginalised sections of the society and the aged. He told them that the Indian family has traditionally given to its aged members honour and dignity, and the ‘ashram system’ inherent in Indian culture views the ‘sanyasth’ stage as an integral part of human life. Dr. Jatiya’s views on traditional Indian family system providing for care and consideration of the aged evinced keen interest both among the delegations with whom he exchanged views as well as at the World Assembly which was addressed by him as the leader of the Indian delegation during the plenary inaugural session.