Sir,

Senior citizens occupy a sizeable population in India, thanks to longevity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this group of people had to undergo tension and stress due to their age-related problems. Aged parents living with their children had to adjust to the set of rules and the little freedom they had, thus lost.

Most of them, even today, are unable to go for a walk or make a short trip to their friends and neighbours to share their feelings or visit temples; thereby confined to homes. They also complain that watching TV channels continuously make them sick. Except a small percentage of people, who live independently, have some freedom, but they have none at home for interaction.

Ultimately the aged people are unable to find people or friends or family members for interaction to reduce their tension except some telephonic conversations with their near and dear ones.

During this pandemic an interesting observation is that several Old Age Homes are receiving enquiries for enrolment by seniors to escape loneliness.

In the light of the above, neither the Government nor the society have any alternative structure to engage seniors. The country needs Senior Citizen Centres to enable them to gather at one place for social interaction and sharing their views in this hour of crisis.

The Government can make use of their experience for the good of the society by using their valuable services wherever necessary. Most of the seniors are educated and retired and are willing to extend a helping hand in the field of education, health, spiritual and welfare activities. Engaging them in welfare programmes will definitely bring a plus point to the Government.

As a first step, the elected representatives like MLA or MP can open one or two Senior Citizen Centres in their jurisdiction with their grant and help of local donors and voluntary organisations. Let the MLA and MP of Mysuru start a Centre in city on an experimental basis and if successful, others will emulate.

– Rtn. Y.N. Sanjeeva Rao, Jayanagar, 16.8.2020

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