This refers to your editorials Rethinking Old age to the benefit of all and Innovative Saving Products for seniors that appeared in ET dated 13th and 14th July 2017 respectively. In this regard to quote the adage that old age is a curse is very appropriate. Seniors are not wanted by the family, the society and the least by the Government is becoming true these days and unfortunately their percentage of presence is on the increase and it is around 6% of the population thanks to the increase seen in the lifespan. The cost of living particularly the health expenditures has gone up beyond the imagination of the old people and their earnings potentials. The approach of the government to seniors has also been adding miseries as the concessions enjoyed by the seniors in the form of additional interest, tax incentives,and other concessions are gradually vanishing or being curtailed drastically.Technology plays its own adverse role in taking away their charm of living. Th fast erosion of values and ethics seen in the society also affects them emotionally in addition to poor health and financial conditions. It is high time the Government introspects seriously and do something concrete to mitigate senior Citizens' suffering and enable them to lead a dignified life in their advanced age. Lip sympathy is of no use.
Dr T V Gopalakrishnan
(Edited version of this appeared in ET dated 15/7/2017).
