DW BUREAU Centre for Advanced Studies in Human Rights (CASIHR) in collaboration with IQAC RGNUL observed International Day for Older Persons on Friday to raise awareness about the rights of the elderly people. Dr. Rattan Singh, Professor of Law, University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Ashwani Kumar Dubey, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court, addressed the faculty and students. Dr Rattan Singh deliberated on the inalienable and universal Human Rights of the elderly. "Human Rights are based on values and the provision of these for older people largely depended on harmony in a family," he said. Dr. Rattan Singh also dwelled on the deterioration of socio-economic systems, dependence and vulnerability of older people and children, erosion of joint family systems and marginalization of the elderly. "Change in the profession pattern of the generation, nuclear families, individualism, isolation and neglect of old people lead to violation of human rights of the elderly," he observed. Ashwani Kumar Dubey focused on the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure safety of older persons.Talking about the decadent system, Ashwani Kumar Dubey referred to the plight of neglected older people who were driven to old age home for shelter. He reiterated that it was the legal obligation of children, "sons and daughters", to maintain and support elderly parents. Prof. Naresh Kumar Vats, Registrar RGNUL, emphasized on the need to bring together government, civil society, international agencies, academia, professionals and media for collaborative action to improve lives of older people. (editor@dailyworld.in)