Welfare of 12 crore Senior Citizens of our Country.

First International Day &7^th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2012.

                                           (Stop Elder Abuse)

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road(East) Dist. Thane. 401107. T.No. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

To                                                                                        Date: 15-6-12.

Shri M.K.Alagiri,

Hon. Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers,

Department of Pharmaceuticals,

Shashtri Bhawan, A Wing, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,

New Delhi-110001.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Welfare of 12 crore Senior Citizens of our Country.

1. National Policy of Older Persons announced by Government of India in January,1999 lays down that Health Care needs of Older Persons will be given High Priority and the Goal should be affordable health services, very heavily subsidized for poor and graded system of user charges for others. The Policy declared the Older Persons as respected Citizens requiring strengthening of their legitimate place in the Society and to take all actions to help them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity and Peace. It recognized the Older Persons as a Resource of the Country. It sought the cooperation of all government & non-governmental Organizations for this.
2. Many Senior Citizens in Our Country are poor, having no/insufficient income. Income of other Senior Citizens also has decreased due to less interest rates & inflation. As life span of Senior Citizens is increasing day by day, they have to maintain this longer life span with the help of Medicines with less income and more necessity of treatment due to natural ageing process beyond their control. Senior Citizens have done a lot for the Society in their Prime Time and Society has now to  consider some ways & means to respect and do at least something for them so that they can pass their last spell of life happily, peacefully and usefully. Justice C.S.Dharmadhikari has observed that facilities provided to aged are not by way of charity or bounty but is remuneration for their past service (to the Society).
3.  As price control of all medicines by all Pharmaceutical Companies is under your control and as making available essential medicines at reasonable prices to all segments of Society, keeping in view socio-economic conditions and declared objective of providing better health care is to be ensured by your Ministry and as Senior Citizens need more medicines due to various diseases due to ageing, which is beyond their control, we request you to consider their plight sympathetically and direct Pharmaceutical Companies to give some concession by way of 50 %(as in fare by transport, air, railways etc) in ever increasing cost of medicines to all Senior Citizens, as they need every month lot of medicines for age related chronic ailments at this age, when their income is very less or no income.Ministry of Health has advised that the provision of cheaper medicines is not their subject.
4. As per recent reports, a study by the Cost Audit branch of the MCA found that drugs like Calpol manufactured by Glaxosmithkline, Corex Cough Syrup by Pfizer, Revital by Ranbaxy Global, Omez by Dr Reddy's Labs, Azithral by Alembic and several others were being sold at a mark up of up to 1,123% over the cost of production. Worried over the findings of the study, India's Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily has written to you seeking appropriate action on curbing this practice of pharma companies. He has forwarded a copy of the study to you. As we consider you as our Minister for all our Medicine Needs, we request you to take some immediate steps to remove such abnormal costing of medicines also. Such high profit earning is nothing but ABUSE of ELDERS.
5. We shall be obliged, if our request is considered favorably and all Pharmaceutical Companies - manufacturing & distributing agencies all over India & abroad supplying medicines to India are advised to give some concessions to Senior Citizens.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Copy forwarde d for necessary early action to

i)                     Shri Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secrtary, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers,

Shashtri Bhawan, A Wing, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi-110001.

ii)                  Shri Devendra Chaudhary, Joint Secrtary & Grievance Officer, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Shashtri Bhawan, A Wing, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi-110001.

Separate que for Senior Citizens in Hospitals for all purposes.

First International Day &7^th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2012.

                                           (Stop Elder Abuse)

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 RashmiUtsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane.401 107.  M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

To                                                                                               Date:  15-6-12   ShriGulamNabiAzadji,

Hon. Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India,

Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi-110 011.

Respected Sir,

Sub: Abuse of your Elders at local levels.

Senior Citizens of the entire Country are grateful for giving National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE). We would request you to give details of its implementation so far & strategy for early implementation.

We shall also be obliged, if proper detailed instructions are issued to Ministries of Railways, Defence etc having separate full-fledged Medical Departments, so that they also start working on this Scheme for their retired employees. 

It is observed that in spite of your Ministry`s instructions to all Stake Holders to ensure that elderly patients are not subjected to long waits and visits to different counters for medical tests & treatment, many Government, Municipal and Charitable Hospitals, Dispensaries, Laboratories, Consultants are not giving any preference to Elder patients and make Elders to wait for long time. Some have provided separate counter for Case Paper & receiving Medicines but not for examination by doctors or pathological tests etc and elders have to wait in que for going to various doctors, X-ray rooms, ECG rooms, pathology department etc for various ailments and checks. We shall be thankful, if proper detailed instructions are issued immediately and reiterated periodically, as one of the important components of Health Policy is information, communication and education of all concerned.

There is absolute and urgent need of special instructions and training to doctors and all medical staff to treat Elders with respect and care, as present attitude at many places is ``you have already lived long and no useful purpose will be served by investigations and treatment.`` Some (considerable number)    doctors and staff misbehave also. In addition to instructions to all Stake Holders, there is necessity of Mass Media Programme to increase awareness of public as well as doctors, staff, care givers etc on various aspects of health problems of Elders. They deserve respect, care and sympathy. A Charter for Senior Citizens for all their Health Care Needs is necessary. Health Ministry should advise private hospitals, private practitioners and consultants also about necessity of looking after Elders on similar lines. Improper treatment of Elders by Government, Municipal and Private Sector is an ABUSE of ELDERS.

With number of Senior Citizens increasing and facing various ailments due to ageing and not being able to get proper medical aids due to less or no income at this age, it is necessary that Ministry of Health initiates fast measures to rationalize cost structure of medical requirements of elders including cost of medicines. As per recent reports, a study by the Cost Audit branch of the MCA found that drugs like Calpol manufactured by Glaxosmithkline, Corex Cough Syrup by Pfizer, Revital by Ranbaxy Global, Omez by Dr Reddy's Labs, Azithral by Alembic and several others were being sold at a mark up of up to 1,123% over the cost of production.
Worried over the findings of the study, India's Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily has written to you seeking appropriate action on curbing this practice of pharma companies. He has forwarded a copy of the study to you. As we consider you as our Minister for all our Health Needs, we request you to take some immediate steps to remove such abnormal costing of medicines. Such high profit earning is nothing but ABUSE of ELDERS. We would also request you to use your good offices with manufacturing & distributing agencies all over India to give sufficiently high concessions like 50% (as in fare by transport, air, railways etc) to all Senior Citizens, as they need every month lot of medicines for age related chronic ailments at this age, when their income is very less or no income.

We shall be thankful, if immediate action on these three abuses is taken and action taken with copies of instructions issued for separate ques at every stage of taking treatment advised at an early date. A line in reply to this representation in terms of para 66 of Office Manual will be very much appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Non-working of E/Mails provided at huge Public Cost to Government Offices.

To                                                                                                              Date:   12-6-12.

Shri Rajeev Kapoor, Grievance Officer and Joint Secretary (AT & A)

Department of Personnel and Training, Room No. 193, North Block
New Delhi.110001.          T. No. 23093668 . E/Mail: jsata@nic.in

Sub: Email Management in the Government of India and working of DARPG Grievance Portal.

1. It is observed for last several years that large number of Government Offices provided with Computers & E/ Mail connections at huge public cost do not use them nor take action on E/Mails received from Public. e.g. Office of Chief Information Commission, Delhi and many others.
2.  E/Mails of many offices given in their Public Web Sites do not function for long periods but no action is taken to reactivate. e.g. Offices of State Information Commission, Mumbai & Navi Mumbai and many others.  Failure Notices of 2 pages come.
3.  Some offices refuse to accept E/Mails from Public and 2 page Failure Notices come. e.g.     i) darpg@nic.in        Address rejected.

            ii) min_sje@sb.nic.in    Same Reason.

           iii)  soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in   Same Reason.

          iv) All ministers and Secretaries except Chief Minister & Chief Secretary of    Maharashtra       @ Maharashtra.gov.in         User not known.

           v) Municipal Commissioner and his officers of Mumbai Municipal Corporation on      mcgm.gov.in  and many others.   Rejected. Very large number of examples with 2-3 pages Failure Notices can be produced in support of such rejection.

4. Hardly, there is any government Office, which uses E/Mail for replying to E/Mails or conveying any urgent matters to citizens. e.g. Dates of Hearing for RTI Matters.

5. All ministers, MPs, MLAs, Secretaries and Officers etc should be available to Public on internet. Post Offices in many places like Mira Road deliver letters after more than a month or two even from Mumbai to Mira Road and after 3 months from Rail Bhawan to Mira Road!! It is therefore absolutely necessary that internet E/Mails should remain available to Public for quick contact of their Highest Leaders & Public Officers and those provided must use it for all communications and receiving E/Mails from Public! 

6. Internet has advanced like anything. Can some software programme not be used to ensure that Authorities giving Failure Notices can bring such unhelpful working to the notice of concerned authorities like DOPT and similar State authorities to take up suitably for remedying these serious lapses affecting the interest of Public? Can such Authorities giving Failure Notice not correct E/Mail addresses in which some minor error is done by senders, as all E/Mails are registered and easily available to such Authorities instead of sending big big Failure Notices? Kindly, do needful, as possible and necessary.

7. It is observed repeatedly that writing a Grievance in your Portal is very tiresome and complicated for Citizens and methods require to be simplified. Even after writing less than 4000 characters, written material gets evaporated in air(!) with the following:          Description should be less than 4000 characters      Special Characters are not allowed in Subject description

Can not such written material be allowed to remain for correction by citizen, just as particulars of individual remain? Only code number may be fresh.

To-day, I wrote in Portal about E/Mails 4 times and all the four times,  this Notice came, though characters were less than 4000 and except fullstop., no other abbreviations or special characters were used. Even the indication above writing space indicated that characters were less than 4000. Why not have an automatic devise, which may not accept more than fixed characters or why at all have any limit of characters? Why have  a restriction for special characters at all? If absolutely necessary, show in each Grievance Recording Page which special characters should not be used. Kindly, simplify the procedure of recording Grievances.

8. While seeing Status Position, original Grievance should be shown or indication given as to where original grievance is available.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 th June, 2012.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 th June, 2012.

UNO has now recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day as International Day on December 19, 2011. United Nations General Assembly has officially recognized Elder Abuse as an a global social issue which affects the Health and Human Rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, (WEAAD), was first instituted by The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) on June 15, 2006 to create awareness and sensitize the Government and the Civil Society to eliminate/prevent elder abuse at both micro and macro level. Elder abuse, perhaps the last taboo, is widely unrecognized and grossly under reported around the Globe, according to the studies undertaken by many INPEA members from numerous countries.

Established in 1997, INPEA has lead the way in raising awareness and urging NGOs, grassroots organizations and governments to action. Today, INPEA, together with the Global Coalition on the Rights of Older Persons is working towards a new U.N. Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. It has defined Elder Abuse as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, and financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multispectral & multidisciplinary approach. Governments and Most Powerful Fourth Estate viz Media are two main sources on which depend the well being of Elders and strengthening of their legitimate place in Society & helping them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity & Peace.

In India, Government had laid down comprehensive and Well-thought National Policy of Older Persons, 1999, (NPOP,99) covering all aspects of life of Elders with clear directives to implement it by preparing Annual & Five Year Action Plans by each Stake Holder. Policy envisaged that Senior Citizens are a valuable resource for the Country and to create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, to protect their rights and to enable their full participation in Society. This Policy is not implemented fully and sincerely even after 13 years by Central & State Governments and other stake holders, resulting in  Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India  in light of INPEA`s above definition! A list of Provisions not implemented by various Ministries was given to the concerned Minister by name but no action is taken to implement these provisions. There is no negotiating machinery with registered Associations of Senior Citizens, though Policy Makers had laid down formation of an autonomous registered National Association of Older Persons at National, State and District levels. They do not recognize even the All India Senior Citizens Confederation working at grass root levels for last for more than 10 years, having affiliated Federations/Associations in 28 States/UTs having more than 12 lakh members. Neither Nodal Ministry nor any other Ministries or States are endorsing copies of circulars affecting Senior Citizens to any registered Associations!! Even Revised Policy submitted by Government appointed Review Committee consisting majority of Members from various Ministries/States to Minister of Social Justice on 30-3-11 is lying pending with the Ministry of Social Justice even after more than 14 months!! Most progressive State like Maharashtra has not even adopted Policy, 99 so far even after 14 years!!

Policy had expected that Media will play a very important role by highlighting the changing situations of Elders and identify emerging issues and areas of action. Media was expected to promote the concept of active ageing and dispel stereo types & negative images about this last spell of life cycle. Media was expected to provide individuals, families & various groups with information and educational material, which will give better understanding of the ageing process and of ways to handle problems of old age, as they arise.

The position of Senior Citizens even after 13 years of laid down Policy is that they are abused in Family, Society and their own Country for whose freedom and present Prosperity, they had worked very hard during their working life.

Help Age India felt the need to understand the issue of elder abuse, its nature and extent of prevalence across cities, perceptions of the elderly and other stakeholders and carried out a deep study of the problem. This study having both quantitative and qualitative components was carried out by Sigma Research, based on which the report has been prepared. The fieldwork for the study was carried out during May 19-26, 2011. The study has identified the nature and extent of elder abuse and its existence and reasons for the same.

According to some of its Findings,

1.      More than two third (72%) of the elderly stay with son, while more than one tenth (13%) are living with daughter.

2.      Three fifth (60%) of the elderly consider verbal abuse as elder abuse while more

than two fifth (48%) feel physical abuse constitutes elder abuse.

3.       More than one third each of the elderly feel that elder abuse constitutes emotional abuse (37%), showing disrespect (36%) and economic abuse (35%).

4.      Nearly one fifth (19%) of the elderly feel neglected with 20% of the elderly in the age group of 60-69 years feeling so.

5.      More than two third (72%) of the elderly feel neglected sometimes while 17% feel

neglected everyday.

6.       Feeling of being neglected stems from the family related factors such as family

members not interacting and being busy in their own lives/ work. 

7.       More than one fifth (22%) of the elderly have experienced any type of abuse.

8.       Verbal abuse is the most commonly reported abuse faced by the elderly from lower socio economic strata while it was neglect reported by the elderly from higher socio economic strata.   

9.       It is observed that higher cases of elder abuse occur among elderly after 70 years. This trend was also observed among the higher socio economic strata.

10.   In case of emotional abuse, mental torture was reported the most with Mumbai

recording the highest (84%). ‘Speaking in loud voice’ is the highest percentage of

abuse in case of verbal abuse

11.   Abuse is reported more from the family members, with daughter in law and son

emerging as the major abusers.

12.   Half of the elderly from the lower socio economic strata reported facing abuse

because of lack of emotional support. Last year among the elderly from higher

socio economic strata, property issues emerged as the most common context for

abuse

13.   More than two third (68%) of the elderly from the lower socio economic strata did not take any action when they faced abuse.

14.  Most (98%) of the elderly reported not filing a complaint against abuse faced.

15.  One fourth of the elderly who took action (25%) reported discussing about the abuse faced with others in the family or in the neighbourhood or community.

16.  Among the elderly who registered complaint, two fifth (40%) reported that nothing concrete came out of it. One fifth of the elderly reported that as a result of the complaint, the police carried out home visit.

17.   More than one fourth  (29%) of the elderly in the lower socio economic strata as

compared to nearly half of the elderly (48%) last year (from the higher socio

economic strata) expressed willingness to take concrete action.

18.   Unwillingness to take any action against abuse stems from the perception among the elderly that - ‘it would lead to further abuse’ and ‘sense of shame in the community’.

19.   Awareness about laws, policies and programmes against elder abuse is low

among the elderly from lower socio economic strata.

It would be observed from above that many of Senior Citizens in our Country are abused by governments and family members, resulting in Increased depression, timidity, anxiety, longing for death, confusion, self-neglect, vague health problems, mounting resentment, unusual fatigue, withholding of food or medicines, hostility, unresponsiveness etc and need the help and sincere efforts by Government and Media to get them proper treatment and facilities to create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, to protect their rights and to enable their full participation in Society and helping them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity & Peace.

.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 th June, 2012 in Maharashtra

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 th June, 2012 in Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the second most populous State of India  after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India. Maharashtra is the richest state in India, contributing 15% of the country's industrial output and 13.3% of its GDP (2006–2007 figures). Maharashtra is the world's second most populous first-level administrative country sub-division. As per the 2001 census, Maharashtra had a population of 9,67,52,247 inhabitants making it the second most populous state in India, Senior Citizens being 84.64 lakhs. Now, the total population is more than 12 crores and Senior Citizens more than 1.2 crores. In 2012, Maharashtra reported a revenue surplus of  152.49 crore,  with a total revenue of 136,711.70 crore and a spending of 1,36,559.21 crore. Maharashtra is the second most urbanised state with urban population of 42% of whole population. Maharashtra is India's leading industrial state contributing 15% of national industrial output and over 40% of India's national revenue. Inspite of such prosperity, 1.2 cror Senior Citizens of  the State, who are not looked after well by the State, Municipal & Panchayati Raj Institutes, Society & Media.

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, (WEAAD), was first instituted by The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) on June 15, 2006 to create awareness and sensitize the Government and the Civil Society to eliminate/prevent elder abuse at both micro and macro level. Elder abuse, perhaps the last taboo, is widely unrecognized and grossly under reported around the Globe, according to the studies undertaken by many INPEA members from numerous countries but no cognizance is given to this Day in by the State. UNO has now recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day as International Day on December 19, 2011. United Nations General Assembly has officially recognized Elder Abuse as an a global social issue which affects the Health and Human Rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

Established in 1997, INPEA has lead the way in raising awareness and urging NGOs, grassroots organizations and governments to action. Today, INPEA, together with the Global Coalition on the Rights of Older Persons is working towards a new U.N. Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. It has defined Elder Abuse as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, and financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multispectral & multidisciplinary approach. Governments and Most Powerful Fourth Estate viz Media are two main sources on which depend the well being of Elders and strengthening of their legitimate place in Society & helping them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity & Peace.

In India, Government had laid down comprehensive and Well-thought out National Policy of Older Persons, 1999, (NPOP,99) covering all aspects of life of Elders with clear directives to implement it by preparing Annual & Five Year Action Plans by each Stake Holder including the State Of Maharashtra. Policy envisaged that Senior Citizens are a valuable resource for the Country and to create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, to protect their rights and to enable their full participation in Society. This Policy is not even adopted by Maharashtra even after 13 years, resulting in  Deplorable Abuse of Elders in Maharashtra in light of INPEA`s above definition! Large number of representations were made to the State Authorities for adopting and implementing the National Policy, 99 but no action is taken to implement it. There is no negotiating machinery with registered Associations of Senior Citizens, though Federation of Senior Citizens` Organizations of Maharashtra (FESCOM) is working since 1976 and now having 2000 associations affiliated to it with 900 associations in villages and more than 100 associations exclusively for women. State Council was also required to be formed. Even copies of circulars affecting Senior Citizens are not endorsed to any registered Associations!! The following issues will show as to how Elders of the State are abused by taking no action and create a dobubt as to whether such a Powerful & Prosperous STATE exists at all!!

i)                    Not adopting & not implementing National Policy, 99 even after 13 years.

ii)                Not Celebrating International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) & not giving  

 Vayoshestha Sanmans:  Nodal Ministry has issued repeated instructions to celebrate 1^st October as International Day of Older Persons (IDOP)  and sent  a list of 10 Sanmans given by them every year, which they give in celebration of IDOP. Our State is not doing anything and should give similar Sanmans at State/District/Panchayat-Municipal levels.

iii)                Integrated Programmes for Older Persons (IPOP)- Revised Scheme effective from 1-4-2008: Nodal Ministry has advised that as against National Allocation  to Maharashtra for this purpose in year 2008-09 of Rs 150 lakhs, only Rs 49.92 and against NA for 2009-10 of Rs 75 lakhs, only Rs 47.07 were released as per State Demand.  Para 6 of the Revised Scheme has made Panchayati Raj Institutions & Local Bodies as main implementing Agencies. No instructions are  issued to these agencies, resulting in no Day Care Centre, Physiotherapy Centres etc (16 schemes) for Senior Citizens in Maharashtra.

iv)                Involving Panchayati Raj Institutions & Municipalities For Welfare of Senior Citizens: Panchayati Raj Institutions (and Local Bodies) are to be encouraged to initiate & participate in all schemes of Welfare of Elders, address local level issues & needs of the ageing population and implement programmes for them. No instructions are issued  tol Local Bodies so far.

v)                  No Instructions are issued to Media, Trusts, Charitable Hospitals/State & Municipal Hospitals , NGOs , Civic Authorities, Corporate Sector etc for looking after the welfare of Elders.  No Nodal Officer at State level is nominated to deal with all representations/matters pertaining to Senior Citizens.No replies are being given to representations from Senior Citins & their Associations.

vi)                Annual Report of work done in the State for its Elders is not prepared. At present any good work done for Elders by State is not known to large number of Senior Citizens. An annual report for all work done for Elders in the State should be prepared and brought out in Media on every International Day for Older Persons. This will not only monitor various actions by all authorities but boost morale of Elders of Maharashtra.

vii)               Medical Treatment in Municipal Hospitals in Mumbai:  As per State GR no. 2006/navi-20 dt 12-12-06, free treatment is to be given to all Senior Citizens in all Municipal Hospitals.  3 major Hospitals of Nair, KEM & Sion are defying the State Orders for last 5 years and do not give free treatment to Senior Citizens inspite of G.R.

viii)         Free Movement of Rickshaws in entire MMRDA Area:  As per Notification in Extraordinary State Gazette dt 25-2-08, all Rickshaws & taxies were allowed to ply in entire MMRDA area but these orders are not yet implemented even after 4 years for rickshaws, resulting in Senior Citizens and all citizens have to walk with luggage/heavy school bags at all check nakas for change over from one side RickshawsStand  to other side Rickshaws Stand at considerable distance at Dahisar Checknaka. In Mira Road- Bhayander Area, Rickshaws are not running on meters even after giving them the rate of Rs 12 etc  and they charge exorbitant rates for even short distance

ix)                Web Site for Senior Citizens: There is no separate Web Site for Senior Citizens of Maharashtra. Present State Web Site is cumbersome and difficult to get information easily.

Policy had expected that Media will play a very important role by highlighting the changing situations of Elders and identify emerging issues and areas of action. Media was expected to promote the concept of active ageing and dispel stereo types & negative images about this last spell of life cycle. Media was expected to provide individuals, families & various groups with information and educational material, which will give better understanding of the ageing process and of ways to handle problems of old age, as they arise.

The position of Senior Citizens even after 13 years of laid down Policy is that they are abused in Family, Society and their own Country for whose freedom and present Prosperity, they had worked very hard during their working life.

Help Age India felt the need to understand the issue of elder abuse, its nature and extent of prevalence across cities, perceptions of the elderly and other stakeholders and carried out a deep study of the problem. This study having both quantitative and qualitative components was carried out by Sigma Research, based on which the report has been prepared. The fieldwork for the study was carried out during May 19-26, 2011. The study has identified the nature and extent of elder abuse and its existence and reasons for the same.

According to some of its Findings, more than two third (72%) of the elderly stay with son, while more than one tenth (13%) are living with daughter. Three fifth (60%) of the elderly consider verbal abuse as elder abuse while more than two fifth (48%) feel physical abuse constitutes elder abuse. More than two third (72%) of the elderly feel neglected sometimes while 17% feel

neglected everyday.  Feeling of being neglected stems from the family related factors such as family members not interacting and being busy in their own lives/ work. 

It is observed that higher cases of elder abuse occur among elderly after 70 years. In case of emotional abuse, mental torture was reported the most with Mumbai recording the highest (84%). ‘Speaking in loud voice’ is the highest percentage of  abuse in case of verbal abuse Abuse is reported more from the family members, with daughter in law and son emerging as the major abusers. Most (98%) of the elderly reported not filing a complaint against abuse faced. Among the elderly who registered complaint, two fifth (40%) reported that nothing concrete came out of it. One fifth of the elderly reported that as a result of the complaint, the police carried out home visit. Unwillingness to take any action against abuse stems from the perception among the elderly that - ‘it would lead to further abuse’ and ‘sense of shame in the community’.  Awareness about laws, policies and programmes against elder abuse is low among the elderly from lower socio economic strata.

It would be observed from above that many of Senior Citizens in our Country are abused by governments and family members, resulting in Increased depression, timidity, anxiety, longing for death, confusion, self-neglect, vague health problems, mounting resentment, unusual fatigue, withholding of food or medicines, hostility, unresponsiveness etc and need the help and sincere efforts by State Government and Media to get them proper treatment and facilities to create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, to protect their rights and to enable their full participation in Society and helping them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity & Peace.

.