What is the basis for an elderly person not being honored?
According to records, the longevity celebration ceremony at the Do Xa residential group cultural house (Phu Ly ward, Ninh Binh) this year had 27 elderly people celebrating longevity, including elderly people aged 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and over 100 years old. Each person was named, stepped onto the stage to receive congratulatory money and Certificates of Merit, when it was Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan's turn, the head of the residential group read her name as usual. Ms. Lan slowly stepped up, receiving 500,000 VND in congratulatory money according to the regulation for people aged 80. However, afterwards, no Certificates of Merit were awarded.
I waited for a while, thinking they probably haven't had time to hand it over yet. But then they said'finished', I understood that I didn't have papers," Ms. Lan recounted, her voice lowered.
The 80-year-old woman said that she had prepared very carefully for this day. "My children and grandchildren told me to wear ao dai to be beautiful, because this is an important day in a person's life. I also hope to have a Certificate of Longevity to keep as a souvenir, later for my children and grandchildren to see. But in the end, I missed the most important thing" - she said - "The certificate is a recognition from the locality. Everyone has it, only I don't have it, I feel sad and self-pitying".
After the ceremony, the story quickly spread in the residential group. Many people expressed confusion about the fact that a person of sufficient age to celebrate longevity was not given a Certificate of Longevity.
Ms. Lan said that she is still a member of the Elderly Association, still participates in previous activities, and there is no official decision that she is not eligible for longevity celebrations.
If I am not eligible, then why still call my name to receive money? And if I am eligible, then why is there no paper? I don't understand what the regulations are," she asked.
The elderly woman also admitted that she had previously had some personal disagreements with a few members in the branch. However, she believes that these conflicts should not affect common interests.
Ms. Lan said: "The longevity celebration is the job of the State and the locality, not anyone's private matter. If because of personal conflicts I am not given the certificate, then I feel it is unfair," she said.
Omission" or "forgotten
Talking to reporters, Mr. Le Van Loi, Head of Do Xa residential group, confirmed that Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan is still a member of the Elderly Association.
According to Mr. Loi, previously the Elderly Association had made a list requesting the printing of longevity certificates, but Ms. Lan's name was not on this list. Therefore, the locality did not print longevity certificates for her.
Ms. Lan's material benefits are still fully guaranteed according to regulations," Mr. Loi said, adding that the listing is the responsibility of the Elderly Association.
However, when asked about the specific basis for removing a member from the list of requests for printing Certificates of Longevity, Mr. Loi said that it is necessary to work further with the Branch and the Ward People's Committee to clarify.
Meanwhile, Ms. Le Phuong Thuc, Deputy Head of the Elderly Association of Do Xa residential group, said that the list of requests for printing yearly longevity certificates is made by the Head of the Association and reported to the Ward People's Committee.
According to Ms. Thuc, in Ms. Lan's case, not putting her name on the list was a decision of the Branch Head. "I once proposed putting Ms. Lan on the list like other elderly people, but it was not approved," Ms. Thuc said.
Notably, according to Ms. Thuc, so far she has not been provided with any official documents showing that Ms. Lan was deprived of the right to celebrate longevity or does not meet the conditions to be honored.
Regarding the incident, leaders of Phu Ly Ward People's Committee, Mr. Hoang Cao Liem - Chairman of Phu Ly Ward People's Committee informed Lao Dong Newspaper that they have grasped the incident and will conduct specific inspection and verification.
From Ms. Lan's story, the question can be raised: Is this an isolated case or are there many elderly people whose rights are affected by personal conflicts at the grassroots level?
