Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 17: Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a thought-provoking seminar under its ‘Common Interest Conversations’ program. The event was presided over by the Club’s senior most patron, Dr Karan Singh, and chaired by senior advocate Zaffar A Shah.
In his welcome address, Club secretary Nasir Hamid Khan emphasized the role of community in supporting senior citizens and improving their quality of life. He highlighted the Club’s initiatives, including the proposal titled ‘Cashmere Cradleland’, which addresses critical societal challenges such as digital addiction, drug abuse, mental wellness, eldercare, and women’s issues. The proposal, crafted by a group of eminent women including retired IAS officers, judges, doctors, and educators, seeks to transform 139 acres of land at Tattoo Ground, Srinagar, into a comprehensive wellness and development hub.
Dr Karan Singh, speaking on ‘Multiple Dimensions of Ageing’, lamented the neglect of the elderly and called for rethinking retirement age, highlighting that many individuals remain capable well beyond 60. He stressed healthy lifestyle choices, moral grounding through religious values and the importance of retaining mental acuity with age.
“The neglect and abuse of elderly citizens is a tragedy as every religion teaches us to respect and serve our parents. With life expectancy now growing to unprecedently, I saw no reason why people should be retired at the age of 60 when they still had a lot of good years left ahead, said Dr Singh.
Zaffar Shah addressed the growing relevance of ageing issues, attributing elder neglect partly to the breakdown of joint families and migration of youth. He advocated for the establishment of neighborhood-level social centers for retirees.
Dr Zubair Saleem of Moul Mouj Foundation shared data revealing that nearly 45% of elders are financially dependent on their children, and 50% suffer from some form of abuse. He urged families to avoid covert neglect and adopt healthier lifestyles.
The seminar concluded with Dr. Karan Singh honouring two vibrant nonagenarians – M Amin Kathwari (94) and Dr Abdul Majeed Siraj (92) – with the ‘Active Nonagenarian’ Awards.
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