Concerned over the plight of elderly and to improve their collective situation, Delhi Government will launch a series of sensitisation programmes to educate the citizens on how to care and integrate elderly in social engagements. According to the Government, one out of every 10 in Delhi is an elderly citizen.
The Delhi Government’s main objective is to create awareness among citizens that the elderly are the most beneficial in society as they are a huge storehouse of knowledge which can be effectively used to keep them engaged in their daily engagements. A large number of agencies, including DTC, education, civic bodies and police are being roped in to carry out a series of campaigns to educate citizens on how to care and integrate elderly in social engagements.
During a brainstorming on Thursday on how to integrate elderly in and outside day-to-day family activities, experts drawn from the city administration, Delhi Police, academicians, self-help groups, civil society and retired senior bureaucrats and Army officials were of the view that they should not be treated as a burden on society, rather efforts be made to streamline their knowledge and experiences in guiding the younger generation to face future challenges.
The experts were of the view that the breakdown of the joint family system, the pressure on the young to earn a living, rising economic aspirations and fast pace of life have all contributed to the isolation of elderly in society. They said that the elderly seemed to have lost their relevance. Some said that many families viewed them as a burden and felt old-age homes as a better option for them.
Principal Secretary (Department of Social, Women and Child Welfare) Satbir Bedi said the issue before society was to see how to make the lives of the elderly fruitful, happy and relevant till their very end. She said a synergy was required of all stakeholders — Government and NGOs, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), police, schools and colleges to bring about an awareness on issues concerning the elderly and provide them help in participating vigorously in social activities.
Former bureaucrat Bhure lal said there were instances where one’s own children had become a security threat to their elders. He said both the young and the old should know how to adjust with each other. He said there was an urgent need to go for emotional integration of elders in the society.