The senior citizens, those who are above 60, are fast increasing in India. At present they constitute 8 % of the population, which comes to about 9.6 crore, but which may increase to about 32.4 crore by 2050, according to the report of the Help Age India, an organisation dealing with the old age people. Out of these, about 4.8 crore will be those above 80 years of age.

The aged in India are mostly ignored. Government servants and those employed in PSUs etc. get statutory  pension, but that also is stopped for those recruited after 01-01-2004. The pension being paid through PF scheme is mostly below Rs.1,000, which now government has ordered to have a minimum of Rs. 1,000. Though some state governments like Kerala has fixed an old age pension, though nominal, for all those above 60, most of the state do not have even  such a universal pension. The Help Age India has demanded that at least Rs.2,000 should be paid as minimum pension.

The elderly people require sufficient health care, which also is, completely lacking in India. Take for example the old widows of Brindavan, who are left with nothing except alms. They are living in pathetic conditions. Crores of old people live or exist in that way.

The government has to look in to the matter and ensure that the elderly people are cared and their misery is removed.