THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, June 15: The Palamu District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) on Monday observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, with a programme chaired by DLSA Secretary Rakesh Ranjan.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed globally on June 15 to raise awareness about the mistreatment, neglect, abuse, abandonment and marginalisation of elderly persons.
According to court sources, Principal District and Sessions Judge Ram Sharma, who is also the Chairman of the DLSA, had directed the observance of the day across the district.
2026 Theme Focuses on Effective Prevention
Addressing the programme, DLSA Secretary Rakesh Ranjan said the theme for this year’s observance was aimed at moving beyond awareness and towards concrete action.
“The theme of the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is ‘Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work’,” said Ranjan.
He stressed that senior citizens deserve respect, care and protection.
“Elders command respect and care. They are the priceless heritage of the state and the country. Any neglect of an elderly person is unacceptable,” he said.
Many Cases of Elder Abuse Go Unreported
Sources at the event highlighted that a large number of elder abuse cases remain unreported. According to studies cited during the programme, only a small fraction of incidents are formally reported.
The abuse faced by elderly persons can be physical, psychological, financial or emotional. Financial dependence often increases vulnerability, making many senior citizens susceptible to neglect and exploitation.
Participants noted that elderly people are sometimes viewed as a burden despite their contributions to families and society.
Old-Age Pension Emerges as Key Concern
Recalling a recent programme in Chainpur, Ranjan said that more elderly women than men attended the event, and most of them raised concerns about old-age pension benefits.
“There were more elderly women than men at the Chainpur programme. Their primary concern was the old-age pension,” Ranjan said.
He added that when participants were asked about health-related issues, very few raised concerns beyond pension matters.
“I asked the elderly participants about any physical ailments. None of them mentioned health issues; they only spoke about pensions,” he said.
Need for Healthcare and Legal Awareness
Sources emphasised the importance of regular health check-ups for senior citizens, including eye, ear, dental and other age-related healthcare needs.
The DLSA also used the occasion to spread awareness about legal protections available to elderly persons.
“We informed senior citizens that there is a legal framework to ensure they live with dignity. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, protects elderly people. No senior citizen should feel abandoned or rejected,” Ranjan said.
DLSA Calls for Greater Sensitivity Towards Senior Citizens
According to participants, the programme went beyond a symbolic observance and focused on creating awareness about the rights, welfare and protection of elderly citizens.
Discussions during the event also highlighted the need for stronger family and community support systems, with speakers noting that financial security often plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of senior citizens.