Monday Musings: International Day of Older Persons: Sound, Fury, and a Harsh Reality

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By Amitabh Srivastava, Edited By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: Since 2002, the United Nations has observed October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme—“Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”—aims to recognize the role seniors play in building resilient and equitable societies. The UN notes:

“Far from being passive beneficiaries, older persons are drivers of progress, contributing their knowledge and experience in areas such as health equity, financial well-being, community resilience, and human rights advocacy.”

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The Political Declaration and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted in 2002, are considered the foundation of global ageing policy. They emphasize creating a society for all ages by promoting health, development, and supportive environments. This year’s theme mirrors those ideals, highlighting older persons as contributors to progress at both local and global levels.

But lofty declarations often dissolve into empty rhetoric. The ground reality in India tells another story.

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Every day, there are reports of elderly parents being stripped of property by their own children, despite the existence of laws meant to protect them. The situation is worsening as the population of seniors rises—through no fault of theirs. Many attribute this longevity to greater health awareness and the yoga practices promoted by Baba Ramdev. 

Yet, for Ramdev and his aide Acharya Balkrishna, yoga also became a launchpad for lucrative businesses. A recent Indian Express investigation revealed how three companies owned by Balkrishna competed for government projects in Uttarakhand—and, unsurprisingly, one secured the deal. Meanwhile, millions of elderly followers continue with nail-rubbing exercises in the hope of regrowing hair, while their real struggles remain unaddressed.

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For most seniors, especially those outside the organized sector, life beyond yoga and hope is bleak. Unlike the minority who receive pensions with yearly increments, many are denied jobs (the preferred age is “under 35”), medical benefits, and even travel concessions once available to them.

The younger generation—whether in Nepal, Sri Lanka, or India—often dismisses the elderly as inefficient, corrupt, and responsible for the mess of the past. They seek to seize control, sometimes tactfully, sometimes aggressively.

Globally, governments from Germany to China to India are worried. If the elderly population keeps expanding while young couples prefer just one or two children, the demographic balance will collapse. Leaders urge younger generations to produce more children, warning of future crises.

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France saw its youth on the streets protesting against a raised retirement age. The government had to roll back the decision. Yet, generational takeovers worldwide have not yielded the transformation people hoped for. In Bangladesh and Nepal, youthful movements brought senior professionals into power, but their hands remain tied. Beyond political upheavals, there has been little real change.

And so, in 2025, society remains in flux. The elderly are increasingly unwanted. The youth, for all its energy, is still unsure of what it truly wants.

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Curated by Humra Kidwai

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