Today the youth are enjoying the benefits of a so called economic boom because there was an yesterday, when the elder generation had "dhaana, and dharma" in their life system coupled with "We and ours" rather than "I"and "mine" which is only heard now a days added with "me and mine". two children of a father/mother will fight each other saying he/she is mine only. So the elders are out of the picture for 'good'. Only absent riddle here that today's youngster with credit cards, EMIs and 'week end' and seasonal 'holidaying and clubbing' doesn't realise a tomorrow when they are going to become the yellow leaf at which they are jibing today!. In the present widely prevalent context of 'loner or couple' elders withone of their offspring in "US of A" and the other in "Italy or Australia", the sick and weak has no family or relatives to fall back or care as in the good old days of joint families which were done away with as evils of the days by special incentives!. The blessings used to be showered in yester years "ayushmaan bahva" is a veritable curse today with toddling oldies commonly crossing 100, 105 etc and nearing the so called "purna ayu". The blessing should be "iccha marana siddhi" or "Die at your will".
All near and dear ones too abandon the elderly who is bereft of funds. As a matter of fact,relatives eagerly wait for their departure as they are taken as burden. It is unfortunate that a mother who has borne sons who are individually doing well in life, are unprepared to take responsibilty of rotating their mother between them. There are hardly any old-age homes and even if they exist,the living cost is prohibitive.Perhaps they are designed with commercial angle meant for NRIs seniors. Wonder,if any social worker maintains record of OLD AGED PEOPLE in their respective vicinity.However they manage to get govt.alloted accomodation and other priveleges. Its a pity that WEAK always becomes a Soft Target and is crucufied. Look forward for the day when a strong legislation is brought into effect with proper monitoring and accountability. Amen!
All near and dear ones too abandon the elderly who is bereft of funds. As a matter of fact,relatives eagerly wait for their departure as they are taken as burden. It is unfortunate that a mother who has borne sons who are individually doing well in life, are unprepared to take responsibilty of rotating their mother between them. There are hardly any old-age homes and even if they exist,the living cost is prohibitive.Perhaps they are designed with commercial angle meant for NRIs seniors. Wonder,if any social worker maintains record of OLD AGED PEOPLE in their respective vicinity.However they manage to get govt.alloted accomodation and other priveleges. Its a pity that WEAK always becomes a Soft Target and is crucufied. Look forward for the day when a strong legislation is brought into effect with proper monitoring and accountability. Amen!
According to Hindu tradition, widows don't inherit their husbands property- only the sons. As such, widows must depend on their son/s for sustenance during her old age. To many, death seem a much more welcome option than a life of misery, humiliation and neglect. And I'm not making this up- everyone knows! Govt crated no 'aged' policy because they've assumed that the traditional system will carry-on unchanged, and the aged will be taken-care of by the children. Wrong! Only the few enough lucky enough to have good sons and caring daughter-in-laws.
I can forsee the problems for the old aged whereever they are. In India, there is still hope so long joint family system works, where aged parents can still get respected; but it is sad when I see old parents brought to the U.S.A. to basically baby-sit the children, and in some cases, I have noticed the old men got to work and fend for their spouses also. With no Health Care system available for them, it is really hard on them. Though there exist Senior Citizens Associations, but these have become more political than helping resolve problems for the aged. We can only pray for them to enjoy their remaining years happily.
>>And they need to step up and demand their rights. So is it time for an American Association of Retired Persons-style organisation in India? "That's still a ways away," says Rath. "Old people still deny themselves. You ask your father for Rs 3,000 to buy jeans and he will give you the money. You ask him to buy himself two undershirts. And he will say no need. That attitude needs to change first."
Even i am like that. I am not even 35 yet. We just don't want to splurge money. Its not denial like they think.
"But Dey at AIIMS says the Hindu concept of rebirth can also be an obstacle", this is out of context pulling of religion in to unwanted territory. We can choose similar arguments about other religions or we can find better support in Hinduism. But that totally irrelevant. I do not know why "secular" people are so communal.
