FEATURE

Senior Citizens and their Citizenry

October 5th 2014, FPJ weekend supplement carried a front page story “THE UNSEEN VIOLENCE THAT IMPACTS CHILDREN” by Amrita Nandy. Then there is a small highlight “Amrita Nandy says that violence against children by their own parents and near and dear ones is the hidden violence that nobody talks about.”

 It was an article of around 1250 words. The article was completely devoted to the vulnerability of senior citizens, especially women. The highlighted portion displayed on the main body of the article was no were found. There was neither , even a passing reference to children or ‘violence that impacts children’, as the title claimed. Thus my hunch is, the paper did not carry the story meant under the above referred title. There appeared to be a mix-up. Kindly correct me, if I am wrong.

 Of course the idea of writing this piece was, not to point out the visible error, but to comment on the story that was carried rather than the title.

 There was clear articulation of the writer’s thought on the problems faced by senior females in and around Bhubaneshwar.

 It is true that seniors both men and women are increasingly becoming vulnerable due to the disintegration of undivided families. The career dominated life of most Indians, both men and women, is the single most important factor that contributed to the state of affairs. Of course there are seniors with no issues of their own, which no doubt did not increase their responsibility during their working life, of bringing up their children.

 The article, in question, wrote mostly on women belonging to middle class, with reasonable source of income and possessions like owned flat etc. These parents had their children working abroad earning US $. So money wouldn’t be an issue.

 In a multi polar, WTO driven world, two children living in Berkeley in US and Brisbane in Australia and parents living in Bhubaneshwar, could be a fact of life. This situation has, probably, come to stay. But what is the way out?

The article talks about various measures that could help senior citizens live an improved, secured and happy life to some extent. Living in Old Age Homes, regular meeting by groups of seniors, NGO involvement in bringing these seniors together etc. are some of the avenues of living with some degree of happiness, stability and security.

This section of society fortunately are endowed with some means, both physical and financial and hence can command a certain standard of living. But there is also a huge section of seniors, who are at the mercy of multiple elements, whose existence is near pathetic and they have no source of help. Society needs to have a look in, into the lives of these hapless victims of time and circumstances.

Reverting to the article in question, it can be safely articulated that there is enough scope to improve the mental and physical health of these senior citizens.

There are enough imaginative ways to enjoy the late innings of life. A monthly one day excursion, or at times an over-night picnic. Arrange tournaments that does not demand too much physical efforts like table tennis, carrom, chess, antakshari etc. They can even try to organize debates and elocution competitions. Those who are single, can try to live together in twos and threes. This can not only reduce expenses, but also shall make them more secure. Those who were in managerial positions prior to retirement can apply their skills to improve others lives as well. So the possibilities are far too many. We may need to overcome some mental blocks and feel free and be open to suggestions etc.

However what is glaring in these writings on senior citizens, and their there are 'n' number of them, is that   they do not try to peep into the altruistic dimensions of humans.

 We all need to recognize that all that we have, some expended and some saved for the monsoon and winter, has come from society out there. Even those we have inherited from our parents, if any, were not their own. They too have got it from society. We all have come naked and go naked. We brought nothing and can take nothing. But we can certainly leave our footprints wherever we go. Some of us may have monetary resources, some may have landed possessions, and some may have both and some may have neither. But the fact is that all of us, have some time at our disposal. From Brack Hussain Obama to the scavenger on the streets of Bhubaneshwar, all of us have the same 24 hours. No more no less. Upto 60 you were occupied, earning livelihood or monetarily employed. At 60 you are free of any encumberance on your time. Ask yourself, can you spend some time for others, who need some help?

 Of course there are any number who would say, ‘I have worked for 40 years of my adult life I want to rest now. Sure you need to relax. But, sir/madam, you can’t relax for 24 hours of the day and 365 days of the year. Surely some part of this hours & days you can take out to try to give to others. And avenues are hundreds. Look around and you will be pleasantly surprised, if you are a positive person, to find the number of activities that can make your life more meaningful. Suddenly you will realize that living for others is far greater, far pleasing and mentally elevating, than living for yourself. There are government schools, schools for specially abled, orphanages, government hospital wards, help desks in public service areas, and many other places where your time is needed. See daily newspapers, for stories of unusual people and happenings and let your imagination go wild. Suddenly you could be a Buddha waiting to happen. 

                 

J.SHRIYAN