Dear Esteemed Members,
As we approach 1 October, the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP), I find myself reflecting on a simple yet profound fact: we are living longer than earlier generations. For many of us, reaching our seventies, eighties, or even beyond is no longer an exception. It is increasingly common.
The theme chosen for UNIDOP 2026, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”—could not be more timely. The United Nations is asking governments and societies to look beyond merely adding years to life and to consider how those additional years can be lived with health, dignity, security, purpose and happiness.
The global population aged 60 and over reached about 1.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050. The population aged 80 and over is growing even faster and is expected to reach about 265 million by the mid-2030s. Global life expectancy also reached 73.5 years in 2025, an increase of 8.6 years since 1995.
These figures show that longevity is no longer merely a personal achievement; it is a major social transformation. Health services, pensions, housing, transport, employment and social security systems will all need to adapt to a world where people routinely live much longer.
But there is an important distinction between living longer and living well. A long life is truly valuable when it includes good health, independence, meaningful relationships, financial security and the freedom to make our own choices. This is why prevention, healthy lifestyles, lifelong learning and social connections must be integral to ageing.
For us in India, this challenge matters even more. Our country is ageing amid rapid economic, technological, and social change. In cities such as Mohali and Chandigarh, we can already see a growing community of active, educated senior citizens. Many of us remain physically active, continue to learn, travel, volunteer, mentor younger people and contribute to community life.
Our experience with the Mohali Senior Citizens Association is a good example. We have members who regularly attend seminars, participate in cultural and social activities, take an interest in technology and current affairs and willingly offer their time and experience for the benefit of others. Through initiatives such as our educational work and community activities, we demonstrate that retirement does not mean the end of life.
At the same time, we must recognise that not every older person enjoys the same advantages. Longevity can be difficult when accompanied by poor health, inadequate income, loneliness, lack of family support or digital exclusion. The rapid growth of online services also means that older people need greater awareness of and protection against cyber and financial fraud. A truly age-friendly society must therefore ensure not only healthcare but also social protection, accessible public services, safe housing, digital inclusion and opportunities for meaningful participation.
The UN theme also invites us to rethink how society views older people. We should not be seen merely as welfare beneficiaries. We are a reservoir of experience, knowledge and wisdom, with much to contribute—to our families, our neighbourhoods and the generations that follow us.
Perhaps, therefore, the message for us as senior citizens is a simple one: let us not measure our lives solely by the number of years we have lived, but by the value we continue to add to them.
Let us remain curious, keep moving, keep learning and keep meeting people. Let us share our experience with the younger generation without imposing it on them. Let us care for our health, protect our financial and digital security and above all, remain connected with our community.
A longer life is a gift. Let us make it a gift not only to ourselves but also to those around us.
On this International Day of Older Persons, let us celebrate not our age but our possibilities. We may have fewer years ahead than behind us, yet those years can still be among our most meaningful.
Let us age gracefully and enjoy a longer and more fulfilling life.
Yours as ever,
Brig JS Jagdev