This has reference to the article “Kashmir’s Neglected Elders “given by renowned and learned writer Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Sahib published in Greater Kashmir, on July 27th. In fact I feel happy to know that a learned personality has shifted his usual writings towards this social problem. The great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has stressed upon the care and attention of the mother first and then of the father. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in a reply to person who was the first person most to be taken care of father or mother. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) repeated thrice that mother, mother and mother and then the father.
The Holy Quran also has defined categorically the obedience towards parents, it reads as:-
“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but him,
And thy ye be kind, To parents, whether one
Or both of them attain old age in the life,
Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them,
But address them in terms of Honour.
And out of kindness lower to them the wing
Of humanity, and say My lord bestow on them
Thy mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.”
(Holy Quran Chapter 15-Part 23-24)
The above Quranic saying thus makes the Youngsters responsible and fixes upon them the duty of care and attention of parents. But “ALAS” we have forgotten!. In Kashmir elders used to be a source of inspiration. They out of their experience, knowledge used to be a source of learning for youngsters which is no more existing in present day nuclear families.
We have neglected elders we have become losers. The vanishing of old and traditional joint family system has deprived the youngsters of love, affection and obedience towards elders.
The elders with their specific polite and delicate way of talking used to inculcate habits of obedience and loyalty towards elders. They out of experience used to narrate short stories of moral values, which the youngsters would respond with patience and sometimes used to put questions which the elders would reply to their satisfaction thus sense of respect would prevail among the youngsters towards their elders.
But unfortunately due to so called modernization that whole system is lost. Which resulted in the negligence towards elders, and young ones also have lost that atmosphere.
Of Course the elders have been left without proper and due attention, sons and daughters have preferred to go abroad and leave parents at the mercy of Almighty. The parents who put their all efforts together to provide better education to their children in making them Doctors, Engineers, have been left alone. It may be mentioned here that Govt. had taken an initiative for the care and welfare of old age people. A concrete double storied building named as “Old age Home” had also been constructed somewhere in Bemina area, but all in vain. Though it is obligatory on the part of Govt. to ensure welfare programme for old age as claiming to be a welfare state. Yet they seem to be unconscious about this programme.
However, it would be appreciated if a well-established NGO comes forward to take up this programme, with the financial support of Philanthropists and Govt as well.
