National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson, Justice V Ramasubramanian, has said that India has a rich cultural tradition that advocates care and reverence for the elderly as a fundamental societal value.
In this context, he also cited references from Sangam literature and the Yajur Veda.
Justice Ramasubramanian was speaking at a national conference titled ‘Ageing in India: Emerging Realities, Evolving Responses’, held here.
In his inaugural address, the NHRC Chairperson called for integrating these ancient values and principles into modern policy frameworks to ensure the dignity, protection, and well-being of senior citizens. This, he said, would align with the NHRC’s mandate to uphold human rights.
Emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of the elderly, he highlighted several NHRC initiatives, including advisories, core group meetings, research studies, and suo motu cognizance of cases.
The NHRC, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, the Union Ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment and Health & Family Welfare, supported the Sankala Foundation in organizing the day-long national conference.
The conference focused on protecting the human rights and dignity of senior citizens, while also redefining ageing as an opportunity. It aimed to promote innovative policies, encourage stakeholder dialogue, and highlight scalable best practices in response to the evolving challenges and opportunities of India’s ageing population.
In his special address, Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member (Health, Nutrition and Education), NITI Aayog, emphasized the importance of healthcare and social security frameworks for the elderly. He stated that empowering families to care for their elderly members should remain the foundation of India’s approach.
Earlier, in his keynote address, NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal, while setting the agenda for the conference, said that India is projected to have nearly 35 crore elderly people by 2050, with one in every five Indians being a senior citizen—posing a significant policy challenge.
He stressed the need to develop family- and community-based care models rooted in India’s traditional value system, supplemented by global best practices.
Bharat Lal also cited the NHRC Advisory on the Rights of Widows issued in 2024, which urged state authorities to ensure access to pensions, housing, and healthcare for destitute and elderly widows.
He further recalled the NHRC Advisory on Protecting Older Persons during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which focused on equitable access to vaccination, home-based care, mental health support, and protection from neglect or abandonment during lockdowns.