April 2011

According to 2011 census, there are 10 crore people above the age of 60 in India. A figure good enough for government and like-minded institutions to focus on the needs of senior citizens. Loneliness, safety, abuse, neglect, health are all major issues of concern, which families and government need to address with compassion. With nuclear families on a rise, many children do not have enough time to look after their ageing parents. As a result many of the aged land into old age homes, either out of force or by choice. While these old age homes provide shelter to the aged, they cannot make up for the family. Hence, a concerted effort should be made by children to willingly take up the responsibility of their ageing parents, and, an old age home should be considered only when someone does not have a family to fall back upon.

We all age. Therefore, a mental and physical preparation to ensure that our autumn years are healthy, happy and productive must begin early in life. And adults should work towards it. There are many ways to make the post retirement years joyful and fruitful. The April issue of One India One People “Silver Innings”, tries to address some of the concerning issues of senior citizens and also shows many ways of living happily ever after.

In our lead article, ‘Ageing gracefully’, Prof. N. K. Chadha, Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, says that old age is not a phase of decline and loss, nor does successful ageing begin at 60. How a people age is determined by their lifelong behaviour and choices—many of which are adopted early in life. If approached properly, old age harbours many opportunities for positive change and productive functioning, he adds.

Dr. Mala Kapur Shankardass, a sociologist working as Associate Professor at Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, in the article ‘A safety net for the aged’, writes that abuse, neglect, violence and other crimes against senior citizens are on the rise. While a strong legislation is needed to address these issues, taking precautionary measures, better vigilance by the police and monitoring by welfare organizations can go a long way in providing security to senior citizens, she says.

Dr. Olav Albuquerque

Lawyers Krrishan Singhania, Dr. Olav Albuquerque and Madhur Kabra  in More teeth to the law, highlight the drawbacks in the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. They offer suggestions to make the legislation more effective. 

Where there’s a WILL there’s a way, writes Nilam Pawar, a practising advocate at the Bombay High Court. She simplifies some of the legal jargons associated with the execution of a WILL and stresses the importance of executing a will. This is especially relevant to senior citizens. She also speaks about the pros and cons of the reverse mortgage scheme for senior citizens.

Old age homes have been around for decades, especially for the aged who have no one to fall back on. In ‘A home away from home’, Anshika Swaroop, a student of Journalism at Harkisan Mehta Foundation Institution of Journalism, Mumbai, visits an Old Age home to understand the emotions of the aged living in these homes.  She writes that, with the disintegration of the traditional Indian family, old age homes are becoming a familiar feature even for those coming from better economic backgrounds. While these homes are a necessity today, they lack heart, she feels.

When you find a purpose in life, there can be no dull moment, exhorts Dr. S. D. Gokhale, Hon. President, International Longevity Centre–India and an eminent international social scientist, administrator, researcher and writer. He says that people can make their post-retirement years constructive and happy in umpteen ways. He shares experiences of people who have made their late years golden.

Few elders too share their views on ageing gracefully in the article ‘Adding life to the years’. They tell us how senior citizens can make their autumn years joyous and productive.

Modern grandmas are doing things that were an anathema to them during their youth. In ‘Grandma comes of age’, Soma Mitra tells us how, by consciously adapting lifestyle changes to keep up with their grandchildren, these new age grannies are learning hobbies, sporting the ‘happening look’, and living their life to the fullest.

The ‘Know India Better’ section features ‘Amritsar: The fabled city of Golden Temple’. Amritsar, which literally means ‘pool of nectar’ is famous for its magnificent Golden Temple, a symbol of spiritual freedom. The city founded in the second half of the 16th century by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, is host to a unique religion and the venue of one of the most horrible massacres during India`s freedom struggle.

In ‘Face to Face’, veteran journalist P. K. Ravindranath confabulates with 83-year-old A. R. K. Pillai, Founder, Indian Development Foundation (IDF), dedicated to leprosy and tuberculosis eradication, who relentlessly works for a better tomorrow with a band of like-minded volunteers. Pillai tells how IDF has built up a huge cadre of committed social workers all working for a happy, contended society, freed of want and hunger to lead a life of self-respect and dignity, and without any communal, casteist or religious inhibitions.

Great Indians – we feature –

Kanjibhai Desai, The Socialist Zamindar (1886-1961) – He dedicated his entire life to the cause of the nation, first as a freedom fighter and post-independence, as an active participant in the developmental programmes.

Mario Miranda, The graceful illustrator (1926-2011) - His inimitable illustrations made Mario Miranda one of the most renowned and loved cartoonists of India. Anyone who saw his sketches for even one time could not help but become an admirer. That was the pull of his work.

Colonel N J Nair AC, KC, The best soldier in field craft (1951-1993)-Colonel N J Nair is the only Indian to have received country’s two highest awards, the Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra. He was a great leader. He lived and died true to the slogan of his unit “Duty, Honour and Courage.”

In the ‘General’ section –G. Venkatesh, a freelance writer speaks about the relevance of the Bhagavad Gita even in the post-modern era. He tell us how the 18 chapters in the Gita help the deluded to understand the state of their minds, and the advisors and mentors amongst us to structure our approaches to healing, motivating and living a responsible life.

And also read our regular columns and other features. To book a copy, email to oiop@vsnl.net or call Nagesh Bangera, OIOP Subscription-in-charge at 022- 2353 44 00.

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