The Forgotten Citizens: Who Cares for India’s Elderly and Farmers?

The Forgotten Citizens: Who Cares for India’s Elderly and Farmers?

India takes pride in being the world’s largest democracy. We celebrate our economic growth, our space missions, and our digital revolution. But beneath these grand achievements lies a harsh truth – millions of our citizens, particularly the elderly and farmers, remain abandoned by the very system that claims to protect them.

The Heart-Wrenching Reality at Prayagraj Mahakumbh

Recently, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded at the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. An elderly couple, left behind by their own son, sat helplessly among the sea of pilgrims, their wrinkled faces reflecting years of sacrifice and toil. They had nurtured their child, given him an education, and worked tirelessly to secure his future. And yet, in their twilight years, they found themselves discarded like an afterthought. This is not an isolated case – it is a disturbing pattern repeating across India.

Who Gets Social Security in India?

While India has made progress in various domains, our social security net remains glaringly inadequate.

• For Farmers: Those who feed the nation have no guaranteed pension, no substantial health insurance, and are left at the mercy of unpredictable monsoons and market prices. Loan waivers are a temporary bandage, not a sustainable solution.
• For the Elderly: After the age of 70, getting health insurance becomes nearly impossible. The government’s pension schemes provide a meager sum, often insufficient even for basic survival.
• For the Working Class: The income tax burden is borne by a small fraction of the working population, while politicians, bureaucrats, and government employees enjoy lifelong pensions and healthcare benefits.

140 Crore People, Yet a Select Few Are Cared For

In a country of 1.4 billion people, only a privileged few – MLAs, MPs, and government servants – receive adequate social security. Meanwhile, the vast majority, including daily wage workers, small-scale entrepreneurs, and gig economy workers, are left unprotected.

If we are truly a democracy “for the people,” why is social security a privilege and not a right?

How Can We Change This?

1. Universal Social Security: Countries like Japan and Germany provide lifelong pension schemes and elderly care. India needs a structured approach to secure its aging population and farming community.
2. Mandatory Elderly Welfare Policies: Just as companies have CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), individuals should have a responsibility toward their aging parents, legally ensuring their well-being.
3. Increased Social Security Coverage: Expand access to insurance and pension benefits to informal workers, farmers, and senior citizens.
4. Tax Reforms for Equitable Distribution: The tax burden needs to be distributed fairly to ensure that essential services reach the most vulnerable.
5. Public Awareness and Advocacy: We must demand policy reforms, create petitions, and hold policymakers accountable for ignoring these pressing concerns.

Final Thoughts: Are We a Democracy for the Few or for All?

A nation’s greatness is measured not just by its economic prowess but by how it treats its most vulnerable. If India is to truly rise, it must ensure that no farmer dies in poverty, no elderly person is abandoned, and no citizen is left behind in the quest for progress.

It is time for us to ask the hard questions. Will we continue to accept this disparity, or will we demand change?

Share your thoughts. What steps do you think should be taken to secure the future of India’s elderly and farmers?