Shillong, Oct 1: The population of “elderly persons” is expected to increase by more than double from 71 million in 2001 to 173 million in 2026, an increase in their share to the total population from 6.9 – 12.4 per cent making India the second largest “elderly populated” country in the world, A professor from Department of Education, NEHU Dr A Henia today said.
“The trend clearly reveals that aging has become a major social challenge and there is a need to give more attention to the care and protection for the older persons,” she said adding “The increase in the elderly population is going to be a cause of concern to the government of India in the succeeding plan.”
Henia was giving a brief deliberation on “Problems of India’s Elderly Population in the 21st Century – Role of Education at the “International Symposium on Aging (ISOA-2012)” organized by Department of Biochemistry at NEHU here on Monday.
Pointed out that there has been a steady rise in the population of older persons in India over the past few decades, Henia said, “The life expectancy which was around 40 years or so in 1947 is now closer to 65 years. The same is expected to increase to 75 years by 2026.”
“Expectedly, India will soon have the dubious distinction of being second largest elderly populated country in the world,” Henia said.
Henia asserted, “Such huge stock of non-productive man-power would need government support in term of pension, medical support and homes in their golden age. In order to provide such support the government would require huge sum of money for plan allocation,” adding “Obviously, the expenditure on pension account will go up along with medical treatment and various other subsidies.”
Stating that it is seen that problem of India’s elderly population in the 21st century will continue, Henia suggested,” However to tackle this issue, education can significantly contribute towards change and develop better understanding and harmonious relationship among all.”
According to Henia, besides, education can provide a new vision and hope towards senior citizen, elderly population group as responsible self reliant members of the society.
Henia further emphasized on the need to introduce in the curriculum of formal education systems about elderly citizens in the society.- By Our Reporter
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