Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
The countries doing best in the Index have social and economic policies supporting the older people’s capabilities. And do not rely on families to support their relative own. India has second highest population of elderly people in the world, projected to rise to 12 per cent of the total population by 2020. We are an aging population. 80 per cent of our elderly are in rural areas with 40 per cent of them have no official social security (i.e. no PF, gratuity, pension , etc). 73 per cent of deaths among the elderly are related to heart diseases, smoking and cancers. 20 per cent of doctor’s visits, 30 per cent of hospital days and 50 per cent of bedridden days are ascribed to elderly patients.
Rapid urbanization has overtaken the traditional value-system of our people and shifted their socio-economic priorities. Sons and daughters find no time for the senior citizens in their family. The elderly, who have provided their services and support, feel unloved and neglected at this phase of their life. Their deteriorating physical health and other geriatric illness add to their difficultire.se Their often poor financial condition, lack of affordable health care and the general neglect by the society has propelled many NGOs to step in and bring in elder welfare programmers and advocate for elder friendly policies. Some of the NGOs prevalent in India and located in various cities are as under:
All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation (AISCCON) operating from Mumbai is the largest national organization brings together and represents senior citizens acr5oss India. It has Federations/Associations affiliated to it from 14 states in India.
The Federation of Senior Citizens Organisation of Maharashtra (FESCOM) is working for the welfare of society in general and senior citizens in particular.
Help Age India is a leading Non-Profit Organisation in India caring for disadvantaged elderly senior citizens and raising resources to protect the rights of India’s elderly and provide relief to them through various interventions.
Dignity Foundation operating from Mumbai for the cause and care of the elderly persons and is running day care center and Old Age Homes.
Harmony for Silvers Foundation is the concern of Tina Ambani working to enhance the quality of life of elderly in India.
Silver Inning Foundation is a social Entrepreneur organization working for cause of elders. It is also contributing towards creating Elder Friendly World where aging becomes a positive and Rewarding Experience.
In our State we have a fully fledged Social Welfare Department, as a citizen charter to develop a society which offers conductive and stimulating atmosphere for the growth and development, in a safe and protective environment, ensuring dignified life to all the vulnerable groups such as children, women, elderly people, and persons with disabilities, members of SC, ST and OBCs. For elderly it works in providing social security to elderly people. The main schemes are; Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) is a state sponsored scheme and under the scheme men above the age of 60 years and women above the age of 55 years are paid pension at the rate of Rs. 200 PM including some other categories.
Under National Social Assistance programme (NSAP), the schemes applicable to provide monetary pensions to elderly are Indira Gandhi National Old Age pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS).
All measures under taken by government or NGOs are not enough to provide a solacing life to elders and we have to realize that elders is our force and guides to give a right direction owing to their experience of life. Before parting the inspirational message to world leaders and governments by great personalities such as;
Archbishop Desmond Tutu “As we get older, our rights do not change. As we get older, we are no less human and should not become invisible”.
Clint Eastwood, an American actor, director, producer, composer, businessman and politician to the aging persons “As we grow older, we must discipline ourselves to continue expanding, broadening, learning, keeping our minds active and open”.
Who are responsible to take care of elders happened to be our parents, surely we, so few lines of an inspirational song should be taken as a ‘Mantra’ for attaining salvation and they are “Maat Pita Key Charno Mein Charoun Dham Hain-Aaja Aaja-Yahi Mukti Ka Dham Hai”.
(Concluded)