New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to the centre and the state governments on a plea seeking establishment of at least one old age home in every district across the country with minimum palliative healthcare facilities.
The apex court social justice bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit issued notice on a PIL by advocate Sanjeeb Panigrahi which sought direction for a survey of all existing old age homes in India and setting up of at least one old age home in each district.
Though Panigrahi made several pleas, but the court restricted the scope of its notice to just one on the setting up of at least one old age home ensuring minimum health care facility per district.
Referring to ancient Indian scriptures' preaching that "one who always serves and respects elderly is blessed with long life, wisdom, fame and power", Panigrahi's plea said: "With nuclear families springing up and the focus more on the individual than the family, elders' care is taking a beating.
"There is clear departure from the traditional concept of the respect and care for the elderly."
The PIL said that health awareness and healthy ways of living have increased the life span and today more and more people are joining the grey population (the elders).
He said in the absence of proper care of old aged people, "the notion of disability and ageing are often synonymous and it has also led to stigma and a negative perception of ageing".
According to the 2011 census, the population of senior citizen in the country was 10.38 crore, which is about 8.6 percent of the total population in the country, it added.
Referring to the report of the UN Population Fund, the PIL said: "The elderly population will constitute 20 percent of the population by 2015."
The PIL also quoted the 2011 survey of the Central Statistical Office, which said that "the prevalence and incidence of diseases as well as hospitalisation rates are much higher in older people than the total population".
"It also reported that about 8 percent of older Indians were confined to their home or bed."
Seeking the setting up of senior citizens' commission on the lines of national commission for children, advocate Panigrahi's PIL stated: "Though the number of health problems in old age has increased in recent times, no focus has been given to have trained people to provide quality geriatric care.
"There is a need to give emphasis to geriatric medicine in undergraduate medical as well as paramedical courses."
"Geriatric dentistry should also be developed as a separate, independent specialty at the post-graduate level. The research in Geriatrics and Gerontology needs to be further encouraged," it added.
Sisodia claims amid CBI investigation: Message came that come to BJP, we will close the case; AAP calls Sisodia a descendant of Maharana Pratap
After allegations of corruption in Delhi's new liquor policy, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who came under the CBI investigation, has made a big allegation against the BJP. Sisodia said that
Bengal Chunav Hinsa: PM Modi expresses concern over violence in Bengal after election results, talks to Governor over phone
The phase of violence has continued since the results of the assembly elections in Bengal. BJP houses and party offices of alleged BJP activists are being vandalized and arson in different areas.
Like Anushka Sharma, will Alia-Ranbir keep their child away from the limelight? Know what the actor said
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are going to be parents soon. Both are very excited about their new journey. On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor is currently busy promoting his film Shamshera. He is seen
Boycott Chinese Products: Even BJP will not be able to oppose the demand of Kejriwal, but experts expressed concern
Arvind Kejriwal, who has become a shrewd player in politics, has been making such demands from time to time, which sometimes is not possible even for the central government to fulfill, but due to
China gave a stern reply to NATO after calling itself a threat
After threatening China at a meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels, China has accused NATO of defaming it.
Modi-Shah will also campaign for Shiv Sena in Lok Sabha elections, a list of star campaigners released
Lok Sabha Election 2024. All political parties are continuously releasing the list of their candidates and star campaigners for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Shiv Sena has also released a list of
Gaiety marks 'Ugadi' celebrations in Telangana, Andhra
Hyderabad, March 21 (IANS) 'Ugadi', the Telugu New Year, was Saturday celebrated in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with traditional fanfare and enthusiasm.The first 'Ugadi' after bifurcation of
Threat of attack on Taiwan: Expert said - China will attack Taiwan as soon as it is capable of defeating America
China has become a big trader, but it does not have dollars and western bonds. The average age of China's population is also increasing rapidly. The day President Jinping feels that he can defeat
IND vs NZ Playing 11: India's 11 players are fixed but Kiwis can change their tactics in the semi-finals, know the possible playing 11
The first semi-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is between India and New Zealand. These two teams are meeting in the semi-finals for the second consecutive time in the history of the ODI
26/11 Attack: Terrorist Mir interrogated, Pakistan is not giving permission to America, China's protection
Pakistan has China's open support for terrorism. For this reason, he puts a stop to the inclusion of terrorists involved in all terrorist incidents, including the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, in the list