Most of us envisage a straightforward life for the city’s senior citizens — one that consists of a morning walk a Nana Nani park, followed by yoga and discussions on the day’s work over a steaming cup of tea.
However, this simple life has lately between under threat due to a recent spate of murders. Though it may have left a few perturbed, there are some who believe that the problem can easily be checked by just following a few precautions at the home ground.
Environmentalist Bittu Sahgal believes that many people forget to show kindness to those we employ. “We need to realise that they need to be treated fairly,” he says. Being on good terms with neighbours, he adds, is equally important. “After all, we need to look after our own safety. And the best way to do that is to live with those near you like one big happy family.”
Actor Kirron Kher too believes that an important issue that emerges from recent casesis the treatment meted out to hired help. Kher believes that if they are well looked after, security will not be a problem. “I grew up around two servants who accompanied us everywhere we shifted in the country. I remember when a guest once tried to give one of them baksheesh, he refused downright, saying that he was a member of the family. Where do we find such people today?”
However, Kher also feels says most of the help who surround us today are the temporary kind who keep shifting and come from outside the city. “Watchmen, for instance. The aged are at the mercy of watchmen provided by security agencies that have no clue about what they are doing.” Kher points out that earlier, one never thought twice about sitting in a cab.
“And today, we note the number of the taxi, before sitting. Mumbai’s just not the same safe city anymore,” she sighs.
So, do we all take precautions like investigating where our servants come from or registering them with the police station? Not theatre personality, Dolly Thakore, at least.
“Somehow, I am not scared. I certainly don’t have the best security in my housing society — every day there’s a new watchman or a lift man. The one concession I have made for safety is the double door at the entrance to my flat.”
Thakore isn’t the only one who doesn’t think much of the safety issue. SS Tinaikar, former municipal commissioner, believes that the murders were exceptions and there’s no real reason for senior citizens to panic. “Senior citizens are not at any greater risk than others. My wife and I live alone and, at times, keep the main entrance ajar,” he says.
Tinaikar, however, maintains that he has never hired an unknown domestic help and trusted him/her blindly. “I hire them through a trusted network of people who can vouch for their conduct.”
Tinaikar also swears by the close-knit community in the housing society he has lived in for 30 years. “We are all very close and know that we’ll always be there for each other in times of need. That’s more than enough security any of us can ever ask for,” he says.As Sehgal sums it up, “As we age, we need people we are close to around us — be it our neighbours or the domestic help. This is the only way to keep safe.”
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