Rising Abandonment of Elderly in India

In India, a disturbing trend of elder abandonment is emerging despite the cultural expectation that children care for their aging parents. Many elderly individuals, like Amirchand Sharma, have been left to fend for themselves after being deemed burdensome by their families, with some resorting to living in gutters and public spaces. This phenomenon is exacerbated by longer life expectancies, urbanization, and the erosion of traditional multigenerational living. Shelters like the Saint Hardyal Educational and Orphans Welfare Society now house hundreds of abandoned elders, reflecting a growing need for support systems. As courtrooms fill with cases of parents seeking help from their children, the societal fabric that once revered the elderly is unraveling, leading to a hidden crisis within the country. The situation raises urgent questions about the care and dignity of India's aging population.