There was a time when a family’s prosperity shone in the smiles of its elders, and their presence was a cherished blessing. Today, those same elderly people—whose prayers once protected their families—often find themselves alone and neglected in the twilight of their lives. The darkness now clouding their eyes is not merely from age, but from the indifference of loved ones. In the tangled jungle of modern relationships, many seniors become homeless in their very own homes.

The once-bright eyes of parents—torches that lit up their households—have been dimmed by solitude. Millions of India’s senior citizens face not only the hardships of ageing but also the silent torment of abandonment. Now, more than the weight of years, it is the absence of compassion that aches the most.

Recent stories from across India cast a stark light on these silent tragedies. In Mumbai, an elderly woman, once the heart of her home, was driven to beg for food by her daughter-in-law’s cruelty and isolation. Her own grandson was forbidden from even meeting her. In Delhi, a 70-year-old widower lost everything after his children forced him to sign over his property, only to abandon him, leaving him dependent on charity.

The pattern repeats in countless villages: In Uttar Pradesh, an elderly man, beaten by his nephew over a property dispute, was thrown into the street—his plea dismissed by the police as ‘just a family matter’. In Bangalore, a 68-year-old woman lives at the mercy of her son and daughter-in-law, yet is made to feel rejected by family, society, and herself—each day a fresh punishment. Farther east, in Odisha, a 72-year-old widow shivers in tattered clothes inside a leaking hut, surviving on a meagre pension, neglected even by her neighbours.

Such stories reveal a harsh truth: for many elderly Indians, it is not fragile bones but the coldness of loved ones that wounds the most. Behind every sad story lies a broader breakdown—families pursuing riches, careers, or their own egos, severing connections with ageing parents. The strong foundation of the joint family system is crumbling. The elderly, once respected, now yearn for care, companionship, and even the basics of survival, as their children chase dreams far from home.

The government has made efforts—schemes like the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana exist. But a monthly pension of ₹200-500 barely makes a dent in today’s expenses. Most government programs remain out of reach for the vast majority: nearly 90 per cent of those in the unorganised sector retire without any pension, their futures reduced to mere statistics.

India is on the verge of a demographic transformation. By 2025, nearly 158.7 million Indians, or 11 per cent of the population, will be 60 or older. By 2050, that number could double, bringing immense socio-economic challenges if not addressed with urgency and empathy.

The time for half-measures has passed. A comprehensive and robust national response is needed:

- Provide targeted tax exemptions for the elderly,

- Establish geriatric care centres in every major city,

- Offer free public transport and modern old age homes in every district, with accessible medical, recreational, and relief services,

- Launch grassroots awareness campaigns at the panchayat level,

- Ensure full transparency in disbursing pension benefits.

Yet, government action alone is not enough. Society, too, must reclaim its responsibility—restoring respect, love, and protection for the ageing. India owes a profound debt to its elders, the architects of its progress. If urgent steps are not taken, the twilight of their years will continue to be marred by loneliness and despair, rather than reflection and dignity.

The moment to act is now—before the setting sun of old age disappears forever beneath the horizon, leaving another shadow on the conscience of our nation.