Objective: An attempt to replace Negativism with Positivity, Criticism with alternatives and Cynicism with Hope

Challenge and an opportunity to Gram Panchayats to facilitate inclusive role for senior citizens.

Introduction: The issue of ageing and senior citizens, with reference to India, is throwing up several concerns and challenges. Innovations and developments in medical technology are contributing to the increase in lifespan. People are living longer and perhaps healthier. The age when one is considered a senior citizen varies depending on the service provision or delivery one is considering.

One of the major causes attributed to the issues of ageing and senior care is related to the changes in family, the primary institution of Society. From the traditional joint family, we have moved to the nuclear family and heading towards an unclear family? Modern lifestyles have, undoubtedly, affected and impacted concern and care of senior citizens both in the family and society.

The oft repeated laments are growing disregard for and disrespect of senior citizens in society. There is apparently a growing apathy, declining empathy and diminishing sympathy in respect of the aged senior citizens.

The government has brought in ‘Maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens Act 2007’ to provide legal support for care by family and relatives. Much can be said about the use of this legal outlet.

Efforts made to find an innovative approach to issues of senior citizens.

Villages in Partnership, a civil society organization has done a field study about senior citizens in 35 villages in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana state.

• Panchayats were invited to hold a meeting of senior citizens in their village’.

• A Senior Citizens Committee was formed.

• A survey was done of senior citizens by village coordinators of Saakshar Bharath.

• A place in the village was allotted by the Gram Panchayat for Senior Citizens Day ACTIVITY centre.

• Traditional Indoor games, books, carpets etc were made available on a matching basis.

The learnings have been instrumental in looking at ageing in a more positive and challenging manner with the goal to reverse the fast-diminishing respect and self-respect as senior citizens.

 

Conclusion/

Implications/ Recommendations

The care of senior citizens in villages must be in the realm of the Gram Panchayat responsibility.

Key Words: Community Resource, Gram Panchayat, The Challenge, Activity Centre

Dr. T. Nagender Swamy is a distinguished rural sociologist, development practitioner, and institution-builder with over five decades of grassroots experience in India and across the world. A Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, he has been a pioneering force in participatory democracy, community development, and voluntary sector engagement. His career spans founding influential organizations such as Villages In Partnership (VIP) and the Consortium of Voluntary Organisations in Mahbubnagar (COVOM), promoting sustainable rural transformation through people-centric models.

 

Dr. Swamy’s scholarship includes groundbreaking work on Gram Swaraj, participatory governance, and watershed development. He has presented at global platforms such as the World Congress of Sociology (Melbourne, Yokohama, Vienna) and collaborated with international development bodies including MCC and CARITAS. As a lifelong advocate for community empowerment, he has worked on leprosy rehabilitation with Baba Amte, cyclone relief efforts, and senior citizen welfare. His contributions extend to numerous government advisory roles at the district, state, and national levels.

 

A thinker, doer, and mentor, Dr. Swamy blends academic depth with field pragmatism, constantly striving to bridge the gap between policy and practice. His life’s work stands as a testament to ethical leadership, civic engagement, and the enduring value of Gandhian ideals in contemporary development discourse.