Senior Citizens' Rights, Dignity Take Centre Stage At August Kranti Programme

Mumbai: The August Kranti commemorative programme, held at Ravindra Natya Mandir on August 14, brought attention to the often-neglected issues faced by senior citizens. The event, organized by Kaval Katija, featured doctors, legal experts, writers, and theatre personalities discussing ways to protect the rights, dignity, and emotional well-being of the elderly.

Beyond medical care, the conversation expanded to legal security, mental health, social inclusion, and a sense of purpose. Chief guest Dr Rajiv Rao, Dean of D.Y. Patil Medical College, emphasized the necessity of empathy in healthcare for elderly patients, urging medical education to prepare doctors to address emotional and social vulnerabilities.

Legal expert Tushar M. Khairnar highlighted statutory safeguards for seniors and stressed the importance of raising awareness about available legal mechanisms, especially in property and family disputes. Addressing loneliness, Prof Smita Ghate spoke about inner happiness, purpose, and emotional resilience, distinguishing between living alone and feeling lonely.

Cancer survivor, writer, and researcher Valmika Ahire shared her experience of cancer recovery, advocating creative writing as a means of emotional expression and healing. Theatre and cinema personalities Kayyum Kazi, Mujeeb Khan, Anil Munghate, and Ravi Wadkar discussed how theatre and storytelling can foster intergenerational empathy and provide seniors with meaningful engagement.

A Marathi play portraying the realities of senior life set the stage for an interactive discussion on the often overlooked aspects of ageing. The event concluded with a message of intergenerational solidarity, featuring handcrafted flowers made by street children and books symbolizing hope and community support. The programme aimed to raise awareness about senior citizens' rights while fostering a more compassionate approach to ageing.