Right to live with Dignity

Average lifespan of a person is 70-75 years. There are people who stay alive till the age of 90 or more. The fact is that we cannot arrest the natural process of ageing . With the advancement of age, body’s limbs start weakening slowly. Bones and muscles become weak. Hairline recedes. Wrinkles appear on face, Reflex action slows down . We cannot resist this change.. Some people refuse to accept that they are getting old. They try to look young desperately. They will dye their hair regularly, undergo cosmetic surgery at frequent intervals to remove wrinkles from face. No matter, how hard they try to hide their age, the fact remains that they cannot remain young foreever. It is better to accept the transition from youth to old age gracefully. Nobody is immuned from this natural ageing process. More than the physical appearance, old age brings about transformation in lifestyle of a person. He no longer enjoys the same status and power that he used to while he was young and at the peak of his career. While young, he is too busy with his business or his job to spare any time for his children, when he retires, he has all the time in the world but his children are grown up by then and they are busy in their profession with the result they don’t have the time to spare with him. He becomes lonely in his own house. If he does not have enough of savings, he will become financially dependent upon his children. With the advancement of age, he can also be afflicted with health related issues which will increase his medical expenses manifold. Unfortunately, unlike countries such as US,UK etc wherein state undertakes responsibility to provide financial assistance to elderly people, Indian government does not provide any social security to old and helpless people. Under the circumstances, they become extremely vulnerable to exploitation by the society. It has been estimated that 10% of Indian population fall in the age bracket of 61 years and above. That means, assuming current population of the country as 10 billion, there are 1 billion people who are estimated to be old. With globalization, the urban Indian population is fast embracing western culture and values with the result, joint family system has disappeared and is replaced by nuclear family resulting in separation of families and weakening of family ties. The influence of western culture has also eroded traditional Indian values and culture with the result old people no longer enjoy the same respect and care in the society as before. They have become strangers in their own homes. It is futile to expect Indian government to do anything worthwhile for them considering the type of politicians and beaurocrats who are ruling Indian states. Non Government organizations (NGO) working for the cause of elders are working in isolation and therefore not very effective. They should work together with other organizations or groups like Mohalla committee , sensitize the society and community about the issues of elders like loneliness, security and medical care. All NGOs should come forward and develop suitable strategy jointly to address larger issues of old people in our country. Government officials should also be made to participate in this project. First and foremost, state level survey should be undertaken to estimate the population of old people, and to understand their day to day problems so as to know what kind of rehabilitation work can be planned. It may vary from state to state, district to district. The survey will give an estimate of funding required for rehabilitation work such as separate colony for old people at subsidized rates with appropriate security arrangements,medical facilities including hospitalization and regular medical checkups, canteen facilities, domestic help for groceries etc. A trust should be formed to manage the affairs of such colonies. Corporate companies should be approached for funding of such projects. Deduction on income tax should be allowed to corporates on such donations to encourage participation.

A separate tribunal should be formed to look into complaints of neglect, physical injury,mental cruelty or other matters requiring redressal without delay for faster decisions and actions. Suitable amendments should be made in the legislation to protect the rights of old people. For example, if a senior citizen wishes to transfer the property in the name of his son or daughter by way of gift, he can do so provided the transferee gives to the transferor an undertaking that the transferee will provide basic amenities and maintenance on a monthly basis and if the transferee fails to do so, then the transfer of property will be deemed to be made by fraud, coercion or under undue influence and will be declared void at the option of transferor.

Medical expenses which is very high in India take a heavy toll on savings in old age. Most of insurance companies in India do not want to give health insurance to people over 60 years and in some cases where the scheme is available, the insurance premium is very high. Most of retired people do not have any source of income and they cannot afford to pay such high premium. The health insurance scheme is highly biased in favour of insurance companies. Govt of India has recently announced a tax saving scheme wherein an individual is liable to get Tax deduction under section ...on the premium amount paid on health insurance scheme taken by him for his aged parents. This is a good scheme and govt deserves to get congratulations for this scheme.

In view of the complete absence of social security system in our country, young generation must understand that a day will come when they will step into shoes of their parents and they will also have to face the same difficulties as their parents are facing today. If they don't show any love and respect towards their parents, their children will also not pay any respects to them when they grow old. They must show compassion, respect and love towards their parents. They should start financial planning right at the start of their career so that by the time they retire, they have enough of savings so as to lead comfortable life for the rest of their life.