“Ageing is a development issue. Healthy older persons are a resource for their families, their communities and the economy"-states WHO Brasilia declaration on healthy ageing, 1996.

There is a high tide of hope for c­hange in India. This May, across India's immense diversity, 1.25 billion people spoke unequivocally for political stability, good governance and rapid development.

Recently Rajasthan police, rescued 52, then again after few days, 66 children, engaged in bangle-making from Jaipur. All the children were boys in the age bracket of 8 to 14 years.

In his first Independence Day speech on 15th August, Prime Minister of India had announced the National Mission on Financial Inclusion titled, ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’ (PMJDY). Now in less than a fortnight the country is geared up to launch this mega event all across the country with the Prime Minister himself launching it from the national capital.

India is predicted to have overtaken China as the world's most populous nation by 2050. In an already overcrowded world, richer countries are being asked to share responsibility for the problem of this population explosion, which to a large extent is due to poverty. 

The Emergency whose oppressive phase lasted 19 months (excluding two months of the election) is perhaps the worst post independence chapter of the Indian democracy. Most Indians today were not even born when the country had to suffer this monstrosity. I wish to recall some of my personal memories on the Emergency.