The state government is planning to conduct a survey to study the problems of the elderly. The news about the survey was announced at the 'Keraleeyam" seminar by Higher Education Minister R. Bindu, who is also in charge of the Social Justice Department. It is estimated that almost one-fourth of the population is elderly. Their number was twelve and a half percent twelve years ago and it is estimated that it will increase to 23 percent in 2025.

This is the general situation not only in Kerala but also in the country. The number of elderly people increasing with increasing life expectancy is a demographic problem all countries in the world are facing. Developed countries have better social security schemes for them. Here, however, there are no plans worth mentioning. Smaller schemes and benefits are occasionally announced for electoral purposes but there are very few schemes aimed at old age protection as a permanent system. Therefore, the elderly are a weak neglected segment of the country.

People who are over 60 years of age are considered senior citizens. There are pension and other security benefits for the protection of retirees working in government departments or organized sectors. However, the lives of the vast majority of the other categories are full of problems. There are many people around who are suffering from diseases and without anyone to look after them. Although it is very late, the government's decision to conduct a survey about the elderly gives hope. Steps should also be taken to complete the survey in a timely manner. A program can only be successful if there is a clear plan and a sense of the goal. The state government needs to have an elderly policy. Based on that, senior welfare programs should be designed. Due consideration should be given to the opinions of the experts who made valuable suggestions in this regard at the Keralaeeyam seminar.

If we do not want the elderly to become a burden as they fall into the category of senior citizens, they should be able to utilize their skills for the benefit of the country. Many of them may have rendered valuable services to society and the country during the good times of their lives. Minister Bindu's announcement to start research skill centres to tap the skills of the elderly is a good step. There are a lot of educated young people here. The government is obliged to fulfil the aspirations of those who are waiting for a job. The industrial sector needs to grow hundreds of times to create massive employment opportunities. Unfortunately, the state lags far behind other states in this field. A good proportion of the youth are behind the aspiration of a government job but there are certain limits to it. Even the demand to increase the pension age is not considered due to the fierce opposition of the unemployed.

Things will become easier once we realize how to put the skills of the elderly to good use. It cannot be assumed that all the problems will be solved once the Welfare Commission for the Elderly comes into existence. It should not be rendered useless like many other commissions. There is a need to find out which areas can benefit from the services of the elderly and a comprehensive plan for the same need to be devised. The elderly should be transformed into an active presence in society.