Government spends tonnes of money in the name of welfare of people especially, senior citizens but the experience with the system touted to be providing relief to abandoned old-age people is horrific and heart wrenching in some cases. Sometimes implementation of schemes becomes more important than the mere existence but a lesson is yet to be learned by all the stake holders in the society.
An elderly woman (identity still unknown) in her mid 70s was found wandering near Ranchi College few days back. Starved and tired the unfortunate woman reached the Common Room for Boys at the college on June 27 and waited under the sky for relatives or well-wishers until she took last breath on the subsequent day. The woman was helped by people living nearby the college with food and water but she had little strength to even gulp a glass of water. People living in the area tried to contact police helpline (100) but to no avail and she finally succumbed not to weakness but to the institutional apathy and an ignorant society.
“We saw the women lying on the pavement and helped her. We gave her blanket, food and in the meantime we called Dial-100 to seek help but when no help reached. We took the woman to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences the next day. She died as soon as we reached the hospital,” said Surendra Gari, a street-side vendor living behind the Common Room for Boys.
The incident brings the spotlight on Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s announcement of providing relief to senior citizens made on August 15 last year. Soren had announced that the State government will set up old-age home in every district however as the State will begin preparations for next Independence Day abandoned the most vulnerable section of the society is still waiting for the government’s greatest gift at this stage of their life.
“Eight old-age homes, including one at Ranchi, are under construction whereas three more are proposed in this financial year,” said Secretary Social Welfare, Rajeev Arun Ekka.
Besides, Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP), the centrally sponsored programme, is also aimed at providing relief to old-age people in distress. But the scheme which intends to have a holistic approach to the security of senior citizens is a far cry in the State. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment initiative conceptualized for empowering older persons is progressing at snails pace in Jharkhand. The programme intends to provide care to older persons-destitute, infirm and widows-- of 60-years and above through Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) and effectively address the social malaise of abandoning old-age people.
“It is in very nascent stage however we have written to all District Welfare Officers (to take steps to bring NGOs on board),” pointed out Ekka.
Nonetheless, the Secretary admitted lack of coordination among different constituents of district administration and admitted the need to strengthen cooperation among constituent units for the success of welfare schemes intended for older persons.
“In future we can use the old-age homes as a helpline to provide assistance to older persons. We will consider this idea (of establishing helpline old-age homes),” concluded Ekka.