Rights of older persons in India

RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS IN INDIA
Rights of older persons are the entitlements and freedom claimed for senior citizens i.e.above 60 years of age.
The 2001 census has shown that the elderly population has crossed the 100 million mark.
It has been found that many older people in India are not aware about the human rights of older persons,due to high prevalence of illiteracy and lack of awareness.This being one of the major reasons of violation of the older persons rights in India.
Surveys have found that every 6th person living in urban areas in the country does not get proper food, every third old person does not get proper medicine or health care in old age and every second old person does not receive due respect or good treatment from family member or society.
In today's situation of urbanization where women are joining the workforce the roots of joint family system are eroding very fast.Majority of the older people have spent most part of their life with their joint/extended families are on the verge of isolation and marginalization in the old age.. In rural areas the older members of the family i.e. people who are above 60 years of age are respected more and are considered a strong part of the family as the joint family system is still in their roots. In villages 46.91% of the older men and 50.1% of older women are from joint families. In rural areas 13560 out of 29000 rural elderly have joint families.
FACILITIES FOR OLD PERSONS IN INDIA
1. IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH
Many government and also private hospitals provide concessions to the older persons in the treatment of the diseases like cardiac problems, diabetes, kidney problems, blood pressure, joint problems and eye problems. There is also a condition for separate queue for reservations of bed in the hospitals and many more such things.
2. IN THE FIELD OF TRAVEL
Indian railways give 30% concessions in the ticket prices to all the persons aged 60 years and above. It is 50% for women aged more than 60 years. They have to show their age evidence.
There are also conditions of lower birth for older persons and also separate counters for booking and cancelling tickets to avoid rush in the counters.
Indian airlines provide 50 % concessions in its economy class, terms and conditions applied.
Whereas Air India provides 45 % .older persons in wheel chairs are allowed to board the plane first.
3. IN THE FIELD OF BANKING
Indian government gives high rate of interest to its older persons on certain saving plan which are run by the post offices and other private bank.
4. IN THE FIELD OF HOUSING
Government provides housing facilities like old age homes and recreational or educational centers. These centers provide the older persons with trainings to spend their free timings in various activities in which they are interested in. Most recreational centers have fitness clubs, yoga centers, parks, spiritual sessions, picnics, food fests for the health and entertainment of senior citizens. Some old age homes also have libraries other activities like music classes, arts and crafts, quizzes, indoor games. These activities help the older people to lead life in a totally new spirit and they also help improving the health and mental stability.
DIFFICULTIES FACED BY OLDER PERSONS IN THESE AREAS
1)physical and mental health
2)community care
3)social care
4)Housing;
5)Transport;
6)Employment;
7)Income;
8)Education And Leisure;
9)Utilities And Consumer Protection;
10)Access To Information; And
11)Decision-Making
<references>
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2011/Study%20on%20Human%20Rights%20in%20india.pdf
http://www.gits4u.com/renew/snrctz1.htm

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu