Time to Reimagine Elder Care, Dignity and Inclusion India is undergoing one of the most profound demographic transformations in its history. For decades, we have celebrated the demographic dividend of a young nation. Today, however, another equally significant reality is unfolding before us, the rapid growth of the elderly population. Ageing is no longer a…
On August 21, the world observes International Senior Citizens Day. It is not the kind of occasion that usually dominates headlines. There are no grand celebrations attached to it, no constant reminders on television or social media. It often passes quietly. And perhaps that is precisely why it matters. India is home to over 150…
India is standing at the threshold of one of the most profound demographic shifts in its history. By 2050, one in every five Indians will be over the age of 60. Advances in healthcare have helped us live longer, but they have also exposed us with various challenges. Among the many challenges confronting older adults…
In a narrow lane in the old city of Varanasi, 79-yearold Chandrika Prasad Grandpa had spent a lifetime in daily wage labour, only to find himself bedridden, nearly blind, and going hungry in old age — his ration card discontinued, his hip fractured after a stray cow knocked him down, and his son nowhere in…
I Jyoti Agarwal n 2022, on an August day, in a small hall in Mumbai, Ratan Tata, aged eighty-four years old found himself among other elderly people and recent graduates. No inspiring speeches, celebrities, or grand philanthropic ventures took place at the event. Instead, it signified the beginning of a new venture, called Goodfellows, which…
Nearly two decades after Parliament passed India’s only Law specifically for older people, the bill’s fundamental flaws continue to lie unresolved as the judiciary strains the existing legislation to bridge them – a new bill to correct these issues has been pending in Parliament since 2019. India’s population of individuals aged 60 and above was…
With West Bengal joining the scheme, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY now covers every state and Union Territory in India. While the world’s largest government-funded health insurance programme has expanded financial protection and healthcare access, improving service quality and equitable access remains the next priority.
Kerala’s 2026 Elderly Budget acknowledges rapid ageing by allocating ₹46,236 crore toward pensions, healthcare, and elder support systems, making ageing a central policy priority. It offers a scalable framework for India, though its success relies on Kerala’s strong social infrastructure and governance model. India is a country of the young. Or so the story goes,…
