Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
Ageing is a continuous, irreversible, universal process, which starts from conception till the death of an individual. However, the age at which one’s productive contribution declines and one tends to be economically dependent can probably be treated as the onset of the aged stage of life. National Elderly Policy defines people in the 60+ age group as elderly. It is always said many times that we need to respect our elders. In fact, this is a phrase that most children hear throughout their lives. Elders bring so much to the world. They offer their experience, their wisdom, and their knowledge. For centuries, cultures across the globe have looked to older people in the communities in order to provide them with knowledge and wisdom. In times of trouble or when we need some advice and direction, we always rely on older people to impart their great wisdom on us. Their valuable contributions to communities create better places to live. A community is known by the way it treats its vulnerable section of society, the elders. Traditionally, in India, it has been a part of our culture for the society and the family to care for elders. Senior citizens are held in high esteem and given priority and respect in all matters. By virtue of the long experience, they carry; they can well be christened as treasury troves of society. But it is felt that owing to transformation in our attitude it is hard reality that between the broad smiles, behind the cheerful exterior and in those moist, rheumy eyes of our elders, lies an untold story – A tale of loneliness, anxiety, fear and uncertainty that senior citizens leave untold. Senior citizens do not get the attention and help they deserve. All India Senior Citizens Federation estimates that seven out of every 10 senior citizens in the country live in poverty. Of the more than 100 million senior citizens, 70 million have retired from the unorganized sector and have no pension or social security.
To recognize their achievements, to raise awareness about issues affecting them and to show appreciation to seniors, President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan in 1988 dedicated 21st August to older adults and their issues and the day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1990 as ‘World Senior Citizen Day’ now observed globally.
The day encourages supporting senior citizens to live their lives to the fullest and as independently as possible.
With age comes different lifestyle choices and requirements, and this is especially true for senior citizens. For seniors, this can be a daunting and sometimes overwhelming task. But if the right fit is found, it can be extremely beneficial to the individual’s overall standard of living. Some opportunities that are catered towards this age group offer plenty of great opportunities but when we traverse the pages earmarked for such opportunities in India, we find such facilities and programs by the governments on papers just to show case that they are much concerned about this category of society.
The present government squeezed the oldies pocket especially those retired from government services during the corona when money was much required by this fraternity to meet up with corona complications by confiscating four DA installments. Withdrawal of concessions on Railway fare to senior citizens is one of the shameful bounties of the present Government on the pretext of Corona whereas crores are spent for creating vote banks.
The French asset management company, Natixis Global in its Global Retirement Index Report has ranked India at the lowest position in a survey about the best place to retire after work among a list of 43 countries.
The ranking was based on eighteen indicators which had four essential factors in mind such as: The material means to live comfortably in retirement, access to quality financial services to help preserve savings value and maximize access to quality health services and income, and a clean and safe environment.
While India ranked the lowest, Iceland and Switzerland topped the list.
If we traverse the pages of legal weapons available that can come to the rescue of abandoned parents, we find: Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956. Section 20 of the Act entitles parents to claim maintenance from their son and daughter, if they are unable to maintain themselves.
Muslim Personal Law also speaks of bounden duty on son and daughters to maintain their parents if they are unable to do it. Section 125 of The Code of Criminal Procedure 1873, also provides relief for deserted parents to seek maintenance through Court.
In 2007, the Parliament passed the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. The Act makes it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents, by monthly allowance.
It also provides a simple, speedy and inexpensive mechanism for the protection of life and property of the older persons. The Act makes it mandatory on the State Government that it must ensure that all government hospitals and hospitals partly or fully funded by the government arrange separate queues for senior citizens and provide beds for all senior citizens. Additionally, every district hospital must have special facilities for senior citizens. Every district must have at least one old age home for senior citizens who are poor and needy.
Here the Government has a responsibility to embrace, uphold and protect the rights of senior citizens, as enshrined in the Act. But alas there is absolutely nothing on ground that a senior citizen should feel proud of. Come what may, we must strive for the intergenerational connection, so that younger generations can benefit from the experience, knowledge and wisdom of older citizens. Bridging the intergenerational gap also helps us to ensure that there is continuity in knowledge production.
(The author is President, Senior Citizens’ Club Udhampur).
