SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Frail in limb, their health having seen better days, these heroes have left most of their lives behind. Many of them may not have too many years of sunshine left and yet look at the manner in which they participate on every occasion that democracy demands, most of them octogenarian, nonagenarian, and even centenarians
In their 80s, 90s and 100s, they have been blessed to see the best of Goa. And then as some say, “cursed to see her going downhill”.
But then their limbs are frail but not their will. Even now, in their twilight years, they keep voting for a system that will do right, do well and do just. A system that will see opportunity, economy, and growth at each one’s door. A system where fields will be verdant and plentiful with the bounty of nature, where there will be fish at sea, where health care can be accessed at home, where their properties are safe, where there are no robberies and above all a system which is clean, non-corrupt and treats all Goans as equal.
And to do this, they come out to vote in the panchayat, municipal, Zila Parishad, Assembly, or Lok Sabha elections, some using their grand or great-grandchildren for support, some on walkers, some on wheelchairs and as we have seen, still others who are simply lifted by their younger relatives straight to a polling booth.
And why are they different from those who sit in their air-conditioned spaces posting on Instagram or Facebook their views on how our state and country should be run? The difference is these. The elderly heroes you see in the pictures above- and there are many more- still believe that democracy is in the people’s hands and if people don’t water it and nurture it with voting and choosing well, the plant of democracy will die.
These respected elderly are not just voters. THEY ARE LIFE GIVERS
But what does the state give back to them? Many of them have to fun from pillar to post to check if their old age pensions have come. Some have to regularly certify that they are living but even to do that is not very easy given their immobility and lack of resources to get the paperwork done
Goa’s elderly are also increasingly lonely with their children and grandchildren who have moved abroad. When they need urgent medical treatment at 2 in the morning, many are helpless. But Goa’s spirit of humanity sees to it that the community and neighbours are like extended family.
But with many village homes getting empty of residents as their move out, the social support is shrinking too. But the system that these elderly vote for does not have helplines, or doctors on call who can do house visits instead of asking the sick to somehow get to the health centre or hospital.
Even insurance schemes are for the healthy, not the really needy
There is discrimination even in the health insurance system. Why can’t our elderly 75-plus citizens have easy access to a health insurance system which is built for them, knowing that many of them will need the insurance? Most insurance schemes are about profit and they work for the healthy. Our senior citizens need a system of governance where they get access to the best health care, free of charge or have an insurance system that is highly subsided with no hidden surprises and costs, which is lifelong and can cover any emergencies.
Remember when a 100-year-old goes in a wheelchair to vote, she is not voting for an MLA who will pay for her hospital expenses, transport, and lifelong medical costs. She is voting for a government system that has a well-developed policy where she will be entitled to smoothly receive health benefits at every step without having to plead with any politician.
Don’t our seniors deserve even a bit of security?
The attacks on the elderly, at times murderous, and at times fully fatal are increasing. We have seen shocking incidents in Varca and other parts of South Goa in the recent past where the elderly has been killed, with their own kin being prime suspects. They deserve a dedicated system that has their back with people coming to their area, checking up on them, keeping local informers who report back any potential threats, and so on.
Thus when we see the elderly walking, being carried sitting on wheelchairs, or with walking sticks dragging themselves to vote, they’re no less than our soldiers who go to war. Soldiers protect the borders of our country. The elderly, who vote in the manner they do, protect the soul of our democracy. The least governments can do, and should do is to look after them. Don’t they deserve it?
