Rights of Older Persons

Population ageing is a serious and silent challenge for India. The largest growing segment of its population is those over 60 years of age; the speed is so rapid that by 2050, 19% of its population (319 million) will be in that age group. However, the entire focus of the government and society is on the demographic dividend that it seems to have currently. Other important demographic facts are that women and the oldest old will be the largest segments of the old population. As is evident in the cursory glance that both segments will enter old age with accumulated disadvantages, so is the fact that none of the systems – social security, health, livelihoods, education, care, designs, infrastructure, innovation, science, and technology – give it the appropriate consideration as the numbers demand. Conversely, if 319 million older persons in India are denied the right to life, liberty, equality, and fraternity in whatever degree, there will be serious human rights violations. If we aspire for a world where we intend to leave no one behind and build back better, then it is time that we sit up, take notice, and give the challenge its due attention.