Protecting our elderly citizens

We regret to observe that elderly citizens are being ignored and neglected in our society. It was not much different in the past though, but the extent and gravity of the situation now is disconcerting to say the least. Elderly people should not be looked down upon as burdens for society as they are rich in knowledge and experience which could be shared and utilised for the benefit of younger generations. Your esteemed daily published an article on January 5, 2018 titled 'social responsibility to the elderly' that drew painful pictures of negligence towards elderly people in our society.
Again, many look upon the elderly people as a psycho-social problem. There may be some truth in it, but we must look for the factors responsible for it and find out if disregard, disrespect and negligence shown to them by us had any bearing on their behaviour. The state and family should come forward to play a key role to minimize the sufferings of the elderly people. Family members of the elderly people should look after and take proper care of them and the state should undertake the task of ensuring social security and social safety-net for the elderly. The government has declared them as senior citizens, but it should make sure that they enjoy the rights and facilities they are entitled to. Seats should be reserved for them in all social services system like: transport, hospital, restaurants and public places, etc. As a matter of fact, we should feel indebted to the sacrifices made by the senior citizens for making us what we are today.
Md.Refatul Hossain
Deputy Director
Department of Agricultural
Extension (DAE)
Khamarbari, Shariatpur.
[email protected]