KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has urged one and all to hold the senior citizens in reverence as well as to emulate their good values and works, arguing that they are repositories of experience and wisdom.

In press statement issued by Office of the President on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons here today, President Bhandari wished peace, prosperity and dignified life to all the elderly people across the country.

Suggesting to utilising the wisdom, experience, skills and social contributions of senior citizens for nation-building, Bhandari argued that senior citizens were the invaluable asset of the nation.

"The importance of the International Day of Older Persons lies in the fact that new generation enables an environment where in the elderly people are revered, their contributions are acknowledged and their achievements are celebrated," the President said in a message.

Furthermore, the Head-of-the State in the message underscored the need for the elderly people to transfer good values to the younger generations. She also commended the provisions for social security schemes for the senior citizens incorporated in the constitution of Nepal.

The United Nations' International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually on October 1 to recognise the contributions of older persons and to examine the issues that affect their life.

According to the census 2011, the population of the senior citizen in the country comprises 8.14 per cent of the total population.