Background

Ageing is a natural process. It is inevitable. Thanks to the development in modern science and technology and health care delivery systems, life expectancy has increased considerably. Resultantly there has been a steady rise in the population of older persons in the country. At present the number of elder persons i.e. 60 + in the country is nearly 100 million. This entails increased expenditure on the upkeep of an ageing population. Thus the well being of the ageing population is a matter of universal concern. So the matter of social concern, therefore, is how we meet this increasing burden of increasing dependency of the ageing population.

Erosion Of Traditional Values

It is universally known that the traditional norms and values of the Indian society laid stress on showing respect and providing care for the aged. The adage ‘old is gold’ holds good even today although it may not be ‘absolute’ any longer. As the society in India is rapidly changing due to the process of urbanization, population explosion, a little more work opportunities available because of globalization and higher aspirations among the youth, who are roaring to touch the skies in the phenomenally fast changing scenario. All these factors have led to the erosion of the joint family system and the emergence of nuclear families which fact ultimately ends up marginalizing the elderly in their respective families. As a result of which a large number of parents are being neglected by their families exposing to lack of emotional, physical and financial support.

In the present scenario, these older persons are facing a lot of problems in the absence of adequate social security. This clearly reveals that ageing has become a major social challenge. Hence there is a need to provide for the economic and health needs of the elderly and to create a social milieu, which is conducive and sensitive to emotional needs of the elderly.

Use Of Experience & Wisdom Of Elderly

The former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, while referring to ageing populations observed: “ Trees grow stronger over the years, rivers wider and like with age, human beings gain immeasurable depth and breadth of experience and wisdom. That is why older persons should not only be respected and revered but they should be utilized as the rich resource to society that they are”. Senior Citizens are a treasure to our society. They have worked hard all these years for the development of the nation as well as community.

They possess a vast experience in different walks of life. In fact, the experience of the senior citizens should be utilized by the youth of today in taking the nation to greater heights. Excluding the ageing population from the job opportunities simply on the ground of age does not seem to be justified any more. This is all the more true when age is not perceived as an impediment, for example, with supreme political power. The age factor, for instance, is of no consequence in occupying the pivotal position of the king or the queen in a political system. Nor is there an upper age bar for a person to become a President or the Prime Minister of a country in a political system. Such a notion is percolating in other service sectors as well.