Senior citizens to observe August 16 as Black Day

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Sailesh Mishra

12 August, 2010

After 63 years of independence and democratic experiments there are segments of people, who are not treated at par with others, there is injustice and discrimination meted out to them.

AFTER 63 years of independence and democratic experiments there are segments of people, who are not treated at par with others, there is injustice and discrimination meted out to them. One of the most neglected and ignored segment of the society is that of senior citizens.

Elders are not considered as part of the mainstream and as soon as a person reaches 60 years of age, he is considered ‘retired’ and good for nothing. Government and civil society are not bothered about this experienced and skilled group of people.

For several decades, governments at the Centre and in the states have been neglecting the problems of senior citizens. Just look at the plight of elders and gross indifference of our rulers:

Out of 10 crore older people, 66 per cent go hungry every day, 90 per cent have no social or health security, 37 per cent are lonely and neglected.
National Policy on Older Persons – announced in 1999 – Not a single state has fully implemented this policy so far.
Only three states out of 35 have effectively implemented the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act – though three years have passed.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme has been implemented by only a few states.
There is no comprehensive medical or health care for old people even after 60 years.

Several sincere and serious attempts to get governments involved and to listen to our problems and demands have failed. Should we take it lying down any more? No, we should make our needs and demands known to public and pressure the rulers to take notice.

Therefore, a protest day, on an all India basis, will be observed on August 16. Nearly thirty states and national level organisations connected with senior citizens from all over India are taking part in this massive movement.

There will be protest activities in every city, town, district and panchayat to highlight the indifferent attitude of the governments to our concerns and to press our following major demands:

Health insurance for all senior citizens without any age related restriction or that due to pre-existing health condition.
Immediate implementation of the maintenance and welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act all over the country.
Cover all Below Poverty Line (BPL) inmates of old age homes including the terminally ill under fully subsidised health insurance and pay those eligible the old age pension.
Truthful and honest implementation of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme in the country and there should be a payment of minimum of Rs 500 as pension.
Fifty per cent concession in railway and state bus fares for all senior citizens.
There should be an exclusive ministry and national commission for older persons at the Centre.
As India is signatory to UN ‘Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002’, we hereby demand to implement/adopt all the principals of Madrid plan in NPOP (National Policy of Older Person).
Uniform age of 60 years

All senior citizens are requested to actively participate in observing the protest day to voice our above said demands.

What you have to do on the protest day?

Wear a black band through out that day
Write postcards of protest an send them to President, Prime minister, MOSJE, CM’s, municipal corporation of state.
Participate in any rally, procession, walkathon, human chain, signature campaign, public meeting, submission of memorandum to local MP’s, MLA’s, etc that may be organised by your local senior citizens’ or pensioners’ association.

The entire exercise will be peaceful, dignified and devoid of any violence – keeping in line with the expectations of the public from senior citizens.

We request all stake holders including NGO’s, academicians, institutions, students and senior citizens themselves to come ahead and protest against the neglect and abuse of senior citizens by Central and state government.

On August 16, 2010, thousands of seniors citizens are going to assemble for protest meet at Azad Maidan, near CST station from 2 pm to 4 pm and submit memorandum to the Chief Minister and Governor of Maharashtra,.

Senior Citizens National Protest Day, Maharashtra supporting organization are-