Fatehpur: Joint family breaking up, old age homes on the rise, dreams of the elderly shattered

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Fatehpur: Indian life and culture have a special place in the world. The concept of treating the whole world as one family “Vasudhaiva Kutumpakam” is India’s contribution. But ever since Indians have started blindly following the glittering and flamboyant lifestyle of the western culture, the joint family lifestyle in India has started to disintegrate. Our elders are forced to bear the brunt of this.

Due to the increasing trend of the nuclear family, the head of the family or the foster child is forced to bear the burden of living in an old age home, being humiliated and disrespected by their children. Today the situation is becoming such that having a joint family is not only difficult but impossible. At the same time, old age homes are increasing and the number of destitute elderly in them is increasing day by day.

The happiness and prosperity of human life is being lost only in the glare of the West, where everyone is busy collecting money for his children and wife and being irresponsible to the parents who take care of his life. For every happiness, you have sacrificed your happiness.

Mavaiya Old Age Home is located in Bhitora Development Block of the district on the banks of holy Ganga river, this old age home is built on the tapobhumi of Rishi Bhrigu in Mavaiya village near Bhrigudham. The place is just four kilometers away from the city headquarters. This old age home is managed by the District Social Welfare Department. Its warden is Neetu Verma. This Ashram also gets support from GPS Foundation Lucknow.

Warden Neetu said that at present a total of 80 old men and women are living in this old age home. Proper arrangement of breakfast, lunch and evening meal is made for all the elderly. The food menu is constantly changing. Periodical health tests are also conducted. Musical instruments are also arranged for entertainment. The elderly are taken to cultural events in the district to change the atmosphere. But it is true that the happiness one gets with family members or one’s children is not found here, yet every effort is made to provide a family-like atmosphere to all the elderly living here. So that all elders can feel a family atmosphere. I also enjoy being with these elders. Amidst all this, the absence of family members and relatives is not felt.

Elderly Ram Sagar Gupta narrated his story and said that he has two sons, both of whom are employed. One is on a JE post in Railways in Delhi and the other is in a good position in a private company in Bangalore. It has been almost twenty years since the wife passed away. Both are happy in their respective families. I’m told that too, but I don’t like it there. Will have to live as a burden for brides. That is why I thought it better to stay here. Here I have complete freedom and spend the day happily with everyone.

An eighty-year-old woman has her own pain. They say that there is no agriculture at home. There was a daughter, ten years ago she somehow got out of the responsibility by yellowing her hands. I somehow managed to survive by working as a laborer with my husband. My husband also passed away three years ago. After that I became helpless. There was no wealth, so they were not ready to have a daughter-in-law. After that the villagers kept him in this ashram and left. It feels good here. Life has to be spent somehow.

President of Satya Narayan Seva Foundation, Dr. Alok Srivastava, who is also a government doctor and continues to cooperate extensively in social service through social organizations. He said that health checkup of all the elderly is done regularly by me and my organization. Those who are mildly ill are treated there. If a person is serious, he is admitted to the district hospital and treated.

Smita Singh, director of Nari Smita Foundation, who started the work of feeding hungry people in the name of Roti Ghar during the Corona period, has been doing social service with a dedicated spirit ever since. Through her organization, she is also helping in food arrangements by coming to this old age home. They believe that elders are like our fathers. It is our responsibility not only to respect them but to be with them in every sorrow and happiness. The head of the family is like a tree that gives shade and fruit to the family throughout life. A family can be happy only with their happiness.

Maharishi Swami Vigyannananda, the founder of Bhrigudham Ashram, said about the evil effects of a divided family that due to such family practice, most of the elders and parents who come to the home lose their support. In spite of everything, the elderly become helpless. The happiness of the whole family is not in luck. Children are alienated from the cultural heritage they receive from their grandparents, who continue to inherit their tales and stories from heirs in a joint family. Children do not develop sense of respect. The results of which are often seen in the society.

The new generation shows insensitivity and does not cooperate with troubled elders. On the other hand, when a single family is in trouble, there is no benefit of the experience of the elderly and no one to console. The blessings of the elders reach the children. An understanding of family and social obligations and responsibilities is also not developed in children. In such a situation man is also becoming like a machine. That is why there is a great need to restore the ancient way of life and culture of Vasudhaiva Kutumkam and joint family in India. So that the entire family can get security and respect.