Fight ageism, HelpAge India

As a country develops, the population would also become more educated. With more knowledge, more people focus on their careers rather than start a family. Inevitably, birth rates will fall and the country would face the problem of a graying population. This is illustrated clearly by countries such as Britain and Singapore.

As India is developing rapidly, birth rates are expected to fall. In a matter of a few years, India would also face the same problem as other developed countries- a graying population. With more senior citizens, cases of ageism would naturally rise too. To help older people facing age discrimination from others, HelpAge India was set up in 1978. HelpAge India is part of HelpAge International. HelpAge International helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives.
Similar to HelpAge International, HelpAge India is a secular and non-profit organisation. Ever since it was set up, it has been protecting the rights of India’s elderly and providing relief to them through various interventions.
HelpAge India has worked closely with the national and local government of India to create laws and policies that protect the rights of the elderly. On top of raising awareness in society about the issue of ageism, HelpAge India also help the elderly to become aware of their own rights so that they are able to play an active role in society.
Other than dealing with issues of age discrimination, both HelpAge International and HelpAge India also provide relief to the elderly living in areas affected by natural disasters. For example, in 2008, after the floods, HelpAge International and HelpAge India went to Bihar (an eastern state of India) to assess the needs of the elderly and develop a relief response.
As quoted from Richard Blewitt, Chief Executive of HelpAge International, “Older people remain among the poorest and most vulnerable groups in our society. Yet, despite this chronic poverty, the majority of these older people support themselves and continue to contribute to their families and communities.”
Since we have the facts about age discrimination faced by the elderly in India and throughout the world, governments and the younger generation should start supporting non-profit organisations such as HelpAge International and HelpAge India. With their support, ageism will no longer be an issue in the future.