‘1 in 10 seniors treated badly, Kolkata still has long way to go’: Angelina Mantosh Jasnani – Times of India

Kolkata News
KOLKATA: On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, senior citizens shared contrasting experiences – some of them painful, involving those who are closest, and others of receiving support from strangers.
NGOs and social workers said the city still has to travel a distance to ensure the safety and happiness of its senior citizens. “One in every 10 elderly people is treated badly,” said Angelina Mantosh Jasnani, president of Catholic Association of Bengal. “One of our highest priorities will be to work on helping seniors along with children,” she said.
Kolkata Police, though, has been a saviour for many seniors. Malati Majhi of Burtolla received support from cops after her in-laws drew her into a property dispute following her husband’s death. Burtolla police provided her with legal support and stood by her. Biswajit Goswami (65), former GM at a PSU, was groaning in pain after a fall in Sarsuna when cops took him to hospital. His relatives said the help was God-sent, especially during Covid.

The city has over 20,000 senior citizens registered in the Pronam scheme for 10 years now, with no member witnessing any violent crime. The only crime that some have fallen prey to is online fraud and cheating. “When the visibility of cops increases, criminals and abusive relatives get the message,” said an officer.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was also commemorated with several Kolkata schools engaging in fundraising and volunteering at old-age homes. Principal of Asian International School Vijaylaxmi Kumar said her school raised funds for an NGO helping senior citizens during the last stage of the pandemic.
Rahul Ganguly, PhD scholar in sociology, said, “”Human individual worth is determined by their productivity, and that’s why it has become so easy to neglect the elderly and allow them to become vulnerable to abuse.”

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/1-in-10-seniors-treated-badly-kolkata-city-still-has-long-way-to-go-angelina-mantosh-jasnani/articleshow/92241306.cms