Is Old Age a holiday or a pain?
Most of us want to retire early and live the so-called happy dream, but then, is it practical and sustainable, especially in India?
Is retired life easy or after a point we tend to actually get tired?
Most of us want to retire with loads and loads of money and sit on the beach having a pina colada while enjoying the sunset, but then, is this a possibility or is it just a mirage?
India is not only about the metros and the fancy Malls, 65-68% peps are in the rural areas, out of which, many of them fall or let's say 'Falls' in the poor and under privileged categories. But then, as the song sings, Don't Cry for me Argentina, I would say, Dont Cry for me India.
We as a country have progressed in a lot of fields including sending and shooting rockets in space, but then, is social welfare for older people a priority in the larger landscape of the social welfare buffet or is it just a side dish?
In my opinion the Eldercare sector is somewhat growing but then not in the way it should be, the entire ecosystem has to work as one machinery otherwise we will keep identifying the faulty parts and keep doing damage control.
Off late lots of smaller startups have entered this sector, which is good, but then while on one hand the bigger brands and the professional agencies are doing good work, however the single person and single room shops may not be the ones to follow any standards.
Fortunately or unfortunately, India is at the cusp of Elderly Care growth, but then, is it going to be only about money or will there be a genuine concern for ageing?
For an inclusive Ageing process, we need to create avenues for seniors to keep feeling involved in community or create systems where they are able to spend constructive time which can give some sense of active ageing, otherwise the overall happiness index of senior citizens may go down.
If after 30 years of retirement there are people who connect with you, that means we are valued, I guess that's why the armed forces have some discipline and structure.
Pankaj Mehrotra
