English Project
About Poetess
Kamala Surayya (born Kamala; 31 March 1934 – 31
May 2009), popularly known by her one-time pen
name Madhavikutty and married name Kamala Das,
was an Indian poet in English as well as an author in
Malayalam from Kerala, India. Her popularity in
Kerala is based chiefly on her short stories and
autobiography, while her oeuvre in English, written
under the name Kamala Das, is noted for the poems
and explicit autobiography. She was also a widely read
columnist and wrote on diverse topics including
women’s issues, child care, politics, etc. Her liberal
treatment of female sexuality, marked her as an
iconoclast in popular culture of her generation.
Poetess’s Personal Experience on “My
Mother at sixty-six
My Mother at Sixty-Six’ is a poem that confesses a
daughter’s fear of losing her mother. Firstly, the daughter,
that is the poet, is surprised to realize that her mother is
aging. Secondly, she notices how the rest of the world
appears young and energetic. This is in contrast to her
mother who continues to age.
Portrayal of Sensational seperation of
mother and daughter
From Reference to the poem “My Mother at sixty-six “Poet
always feared of losing her mother who was old throughout
the poem and in last when she was leaving for the Airport
her mother she said Goodbye in fear that it could be her last
visit to her and next time she could not meet her.
Plight of Old Age – Ugly truth of olg age
people
When we think about old age people what do we first think
they are enjoying their lives in most enlightened way but it is
not the truth there is a dark truth behind them which no one
discuss or in many cases it is not even seen as issue there
are many ways we can show to you some of them are:-
Income
According to a latest study conducted by Agewell
Foundation, 65 per cent of old people are poor with no
source of known income. Good news is that 35 per cent still
have money, properties, savings, investments, inheritance
and above all supportive children.
Lack of awareness
The study reveals that due to lack of awareness about their
rights in old age, many people are compelled to live in
inhuman conditions.
Respect and care
One must maintain close ties with ageing relatives and
friends. Keep abreast of changes in their health and ability to
live independently.
Reasons behind old age homes
Here are some reasons why there is need of old age homes
some five reasons are
1. The basic reason for an old person going to an old age
home is due to the reason that their children or
grandchildren move to metropolitan cities or abroad as
well for pursuing higher studies and they are also
capable enough to adapt themselves for new lifestyle
but unlikely, the old people may find it harder to adapt
such lifestyle and choose to remain back to their
original place due to sentimental feelings.
2. Another reason also stands that the elderly people are
sometimes prone to chronic health issues which are not
taken care of by their children and as a reason for that
they are also not allowed to live at their homes and sent
to such homes.
3. The mindset and values differences are also one of the
reasons for emergence of such old age homes because
many elderly people find it difficult to remain with their
only daughter at her in laws place or due to their ego
clashes with their grandchildren or other people and
staying in old age homes make them connect with their
age groups and have a like minded community.
4. The most important reason for such an increase is that
the old people only strive for peace during these days
and some also leave their homes so that they can get
peace in these homes by not having conflicting
situations arising at any time.
5. Due to an increase in the crime rate in India, most
elderly people find it easy and secure to live in old age
homes when their children are not living with them or if
they are working abroad. The stay in these homes
provides them security by surveillance through CCTV
cameras or anything.
Respecting Elderly Parents
Seniors have plenty of experience in life and they can
teach us about enduring change and handling life’s
challenges. They have a great amount of wisdom and
knowledge to share with us.
It’s important for the younger generation to learn the
significance of respecting elders by listening and
spending quality time with them. We must treat our
elders with respect, even if their bodies or minds are
beginning to fail them. The elderly are powerful,
creating the comforts that younger Americans take for
granted.
There are many ways to respect or make them feel that
they are not lonely are:-
o Ask them
o Be polite
o Take advice from them
o Visit them
o Ask them about tradition and lives etc .
Visit to an Orphanage
During my first year in NCC, I remember it was for the
first time I was visiting an
Old-age home, with my co-cadets as part of the NCC
Day celebrations. We went to an
Old-age home named ‘Snehasadan’ , which had 30
elderly residents. Initially, I thought
The people over there would be experiencing a hard
life. But the environment was a bit
Different than I expected. When we reached there, they
were overwhelmed and I could
See the happiness in their eyes. They looked happy, but
still we can feel their pain of
Not being able to live with their dear ones. But still, it
looked like a big joint family. A
Moment that I can never forget was when one of the
residents cried out heavily with
Pain because he couldn’t believe the fact that his son
deceivingly brought and left him
There. He further mentioned how he still remembers
the moments when his son was a
Kid and how much love he held for his son even now
Data Regarding Miserable State of Old Age People
The study, on human rights of older persons in India,
found that over 23.3% elderly were living in inhuman
conditions and facing violations of human rights and
around 12.9% older persons revealed they were not
getting proper food.
“Approximately, every third elderly in the country is not
getting proper medicine/health care in old age. Every
second older person is not getting due respect or good
treatment from his/her family member/society. 47.4%
older persons were discriminated because of their Age,
they accepted that due to their age they were
humiliated occasionally or treated disrespectfully,” the
study done in November 2017 found.
Role of Youth to Improve the Plight of Aged
People
Our traditions maintained that youth is responsible to
take care of Elders in the family. But unfortunately
family structure has been transforming rapidly, and
most of the time elders in the family are left behind.
Specially those who economically and emotionally
depend too much on kids for their care and safety.
Youth has become more ambitious about their career
and life style. For elderly people who have been left
behind, Government should provide appropriate
provisions for their survival and security.
Positive and Negative opinions on old age people
The Hindu conducted an opinion on old age people from
youth of our country and found some positive and Negative
opinions on them.
Positive Opinion
Arun an B.A Student once visited an old age home and met
with Mr Ross Fernandes and asked him help to get few
details on his project and got all advice from him and told us
that they are very sweet to you when you treat them very
good to you they just need your love and affection no money
no material and they give you all valuable advice.
Negative opinion
Mohit a software Engineer told us that Old Age People are
not useful to our country they are one of the biggest liability
to us they want us to live in there way which is not possible.
They are so rude to you and they don’t get mix well to our
technology and then they say we are so lonely and we are so
poor.
Picture
Bibliography
• About the poetess, Her feeling on poem, - Wikipedia
• Plight of old age – The Hindu
• Respect to Elders – Own
• Data Regarding Miserable State of Old Age People –
Mint
• Positive and Negative opinion on Old Age People – The
Hindu
• Interview with old age home – [Link]
