A. K ARORA
Government of India formulated a National Policy on Older Persons followed by enactment of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The Act binds the States for establishment of Old Age Homes, Provisions for Medical Care, Protection of life and property and many more provisions for the welfare of senior citizens. However the Act was not extended to our State, thus depriving the Elders of the state of the benefits which flow from the various provisions of the Act. So far we do not have any such our own State Act nor any State Policy. Thus the whole resp onsbility lies on our Civil Socirty.
The response which the civil society has been giving to various NGOs is before us and the we are confident that without waiting for the Govt. to come forward the civil society shall handle the problem. The Association for welfare of senior citizens is pursuing the Shrine Board also to come forward in this respect.
As stated above the celebration of Elders Day is to bring awareness amongst the youth for their responsibilities towards their Elders as also to avail the benefits of their rich experience and to intersopect their contribution to the cause. As is known to all of us awareness is very important aspect in all the fields of activity. Print and Electronic Media are the right sources to come forward for this purpose. With the latest technology these medias are very powerful and awareness can reach the remotest corners.
We have an State Academy of Art and Culture which can definitely play an important role for creating awareness amongst the people. The various dramas acts, plays, skits etc. leave a deep impression on the minds of youngsters. We expect that the Academy shall come forward in this respect and fulfill their responsibility towards a noble cause.
Social security is very important for the Elders and Policy Deptt. is the epitome for creating a sense of security amongst the Elders. Area SHO should know the details of all the elders living in the area. Occasional phone calls, providing instant alarms, priority to the elders whenever they report to the Police Station, posting of police men on the roads where there is volumenous traffic to guide the elders as also to help them cross the roads are a few to quote. This aspect is very important in the present scenario when the elders are only left at home while their children are either out of the country or out side the state pursuing their career, there being bleak prospects of a good career in our state.
Awareness for welfare of the Elders amongst the youth is equally important. Print and Electronic media is morally bound to take care of this aspect. Any elderly abuse, any crime against the elders, any laxity with the Govt. agencies for not taking care of the elders etc. should be highlighted in the media. In the present times the Media has an important role to play. With the modern technology the news is spread to the farthest corner of the country in a jiffy.
Every developed country takes care of the health of their Elders. A policy needs to be laid down in this respect. Health insurance for the elders is an important aspect. It leaves an elder a free mind to live without any stress with regard to his health. There is no such policy with our state Govt. even for their employees. Various Insurance companies do have health insurance policies but for a limited period of life. While on the one hand we are expecting longer life span and on the other hand the age limit. This needs to be looked into seriously. Merely giving some travelling concessions that too in Indian Railways, 0.5 per cent more interest on the fixed deposits, and may be a few more are not the ultimate soloution.
Concluding the Association feels strongly that the State Govt. must frame a State Policy in this respect as also either extend the central Act or enact its own Act for the welfare of the Elders.
(Concluded)
(The author is a President, Association for Welfare of Senior Citizens.)
