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Key Points

India's National Conference on Ageing highlighted the need for policies ensuring dignity and security for senior citizens. Experts emphasized the urgency of addressing healthcare, financial security, and social inclusion for the elderly. A proposed "ease of living" charter aims to improve daily life for seniors while preserving family-based care. With 35 crore elderly expected by 2050, India must rethink ageing as both a challenge and opportunity.

Key Points: India Conference Proposes Ease of Living Charter for Senior Citizens

  • Experts warn of India's urgent need to prepare for an ageing society
  • NITI Aayog proposes an ease of living charter for elderly citizens
  • Only 20% of seniors have health insurance, raising financial concerns
  • Community-based care models rooted in family values recommended
2 min read

Conference on Ageing in India opens with call for 'ease of living' charter for senior citizens

Experts push for policies ensuring dignity and security for India's ageing population, addressing healthcare, financial security, and social inclusion.

"Shall we create a charter of ease of living by senior citizens, and then we work on it and we make life easy for these little things that work? – Vinod K. Paul, NITI Aayog"

New Delhi, August 1

The inaugural session of the National Conference on Ageing in India on Thursday opened with a strong pitch for a dedicated "ease of living" charter for the elderly, aimed at ensuring dignity, security and active participation of senior citizens in society.

During the session, experts cautioned that the country must prepare urgently for the demographic shift towards an ageing society.

Delivering the special address, Vinod K. Paul, Member (Health, Nutrition and Education), NITI Aayog, said, "Shall we create a charter of ease of living by senior citizens, and then we work on it and we make life easy for these little things that work?"

He added that empowering families to take care of their elders should remain the foundation of India's approach.

In his inaugural address, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), noted that ageing is both an inevitable reality and an opportunity for India to strengthen its social fabric.

"We all are ageing, and that is a process and a reality. But in the Indian context, there are certain issues, certain challenges, and more importantly, there are certain opportunities. I think that needs to be understood," he said.

National Conference on Ageing in India was organised by the Sankala Foundation, supported by NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and NHRC.

The session began with welcome remarks by Devendra Kumar Nim, Director (Programmes), Sankala Foundation, followed by the release of the report "Ageing in India: Challenges and Opportunities."

Speaking on the report, Bharat Lal, Secretary General and CEO, NHRC, India, said, "The report will help us basically in just flagging issues, just to an advocacy. Let's make awareness more."

He pointed out that India will have nearly 35 crore elderly people by 2050--one in every five citizens--making ageing a critical policy challenge. "Only one in five elderly people have health insurance, making them vulnerable to out-of-pocket expenses... Seventy-eight per cent of Indians have no pension... financial fraud, phishing and identity theft among elderly people are rising," he said, while stressing the need to evolve community-based care models rooted in India's family value system and supplemented by global best practices.

The session concluded with the presentation of mementoes and a vote of thanks by Malvika Kaul, Director (Research and Communications), Sankala Foundation.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
While the intentions are good, I'm skeptical about implementation. We've had senior citizen policies before but ground reality hasn't changed much. First fix the basics - better pavements, priority queues that are actually enforced, and stricter punishment for financial frauds targeting elders.
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Ananya R
The statistics are alarming! 78% without pension? We need urgent reforms in social security. In our joint family, we care for grandparents but many nuclear families struggle. Community-based care models + tech solutions could be the way forward.
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Michael C
As someone working in geriatric care, I appreciate the focus on dignity. Simple things like age-friendly public toilets, larger font sizes in official documents, and sensitization training for service staff can make a huge difference in daily life for seniors.
K
Kavya N
The family value system mentioned is our strength, but we can't ignore the changing social structures. Many elders live alone as children work abroad or in other cities. We need robust elder care infrastructure along with preserving our cultural values.
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Siddharth J
Digital literacy programs for seniors should be part of this charter! My father wants to use UPI but finds it confusing. If we can teach our elders to safely use technology, it would greatly improve their independence and quality of life.

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