They have emerged as the most powerful political constituency in the country because there are 97 million people in India who are above 60 years, according to Sheilu Srinivasan, a social scientist.
Senior citizens across the country complaining of loneliness, helplessness and feeling discarded by their children need not worry anymore. They have emerged as the most powerful political constituency in the country because there are 97 million people in India who are above 60 years, according to Sheilu Srinivasan, a social scientist.
“Political parties framing legislations with emphasis on senior citizens stand to harvest rich electoral dividends,” Srinivasan said in Chennai on Saturday.
The Dignity Foundation headed by her launched a three-day Retirement India Expo 2011 in Chennai on Saturday with active participation of senior citizens, corporate entities, banking and housing financial companies and corporates specialising in old age related issues.
“This is the first of its kind expo in the country and is a prelude to mega events featuring senior citizens to be held in places like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore,” said Janaki Raman, the event manager. The Chennai expo has been organised like a carnival where senior citizens can network with corporate and organisations who will help and guide them to make retirement life a pleasant experience, said Raman. More than 2,000 senior citizens crowded the Chennai Trade Centre for a variety of needs and requirements.
Venkitachalam, a former railway employee had come accompanied by his wife Jayanthi to find out a suitable accommodation in Chennai suburbs where there is connectivity, proximity and privacy. “We need a telephone connection as well as round-the-clock proximity to a hospital,” said Venkitachalam. All his three sons are employed in USA where they have settled down for good.
Suresh Bhagwat, director, Paranjape Sxchemes, a Pune based realtor, was at hand with a series of proposals to suit the needs of couples like the Venkitachalams. “We have a range of houses to choose from. The budget starts from Rs25 lakh and all these houses are meant exclusively for senior citizens. The units have been built by integrating connectivity, proximity and privacy factors,” said Bhagwat.
Aged people who have been ditched by their wards can have a secured roof over their heads and three square meals a day, all for Rs3,000 per month. “There are consultants in this expo who will guide and help such people,” said Srinivasan. She said the business in old age is mind boggling. “Till date no one has done any studies to find the exact worth of the business in old age,” she said.
The expo is not about finding a suitable accommodation or a day care centre for the aged. “There are prospective employers looking out for thousands of senior citizens for part time jobs. Minimum requirements are graduation, reasonably good health and an urge to work. They are being offered good salaries,” said Srinivasan.
Both she and Janaki Raman are of the view that there is more fun in being a senior citizen.
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