How funny it is, isn't it, that when we are young, we dread 'seniors' (remember those early days in the hostel? Boys' hostels are the worst, though girls' are no less notorious!), while as we grow older every month and each year, we are aware that we are the senior (citizens) now, and rather glory in the fact, right?
Indeed, seniors (or senior citizens, if you must have it) are quite sassy and savvy these days. With the tremendous advances in the medical field, life is tolerable. Mostly, hence, life is of the "God is in his heaven/All is right with the world" variety. There is "entertainment, entertainment, entertainment" everywhere, online, offline, and politics, cricket and the filmy gossip add spice to routine lives!
I would like to insist, however, that this kind of comfy life is a boon the urban upper middle class, and, of course, the rich enjoy. Such very lucky (but very few) can even think of a brand new hobby, a foreign trip or meditation, et al.
Unluckily, however, the majority of Indians who do not belong to this ambit lead a very difficult life as they age. Imagine the life of the elderly if they are poor villagers or much worse, 'bpl' urbanites. Imagine how difficult lives of lonely men and women in small towns must be. As urbanisation and digitisation grow, many such, and more and newer, difficulties emerge for the majority of seniors, and they need truly urgent solutions.
True, India has the much celebrated "demographic dividend". Yet the number of the elderly is markedly significant as well. As welfare measures shrink across the world, and as humane bonds and ties loosen over generations, there is an absolutely urgent need to address the seniors' issues. Hope this Senior Citizens Day would begin the search for some solid solutions so that seniors do not suffer sordid days in their remaining lives!
Pratima@ Futures, says common sense, do not make themselves, you have to create them!
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