Connecting with the lonely

OLD people often find themselves in situations where they are lonely. Even as the world deals with this state of affairs, there are statistics about this problem in the UK: more than 90 lakh people out of a population of 6.56 crore say they are always or often lonely. The British Red Cross study has found that the elderly and disabled, 17-25-year-olds, migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable to feeling secluded. In what would definitely be cited as an example of enlightened governance, Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed the country’s first ever Minister for Loneliness who will be responsible for a national strategy to combat loneliness. An additional charge has been given to Tracey Crouch who will work with the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, businesses and charities and establish a fund to find innovative solutions to loneliness in communities. 

Loneliness is a sad reality in India too. The ties of centuries-old traditions of family and community are snapping under the weight of modern values. The shrinking space in the new socio-economic order and demographic transitions across the country are easing out the older generations. A study by the Agewell Foundation in 2017 contended that 43 per cent elderly were victims of psychological problems due to loneliness and other relationship issues. Almost half of the elderly people were not taken care of by their families.

It is the age where electronic connections count for more than real-life ones. Today, virtual friends, fake identities and cold accounts are what we get as companions — warm real friends and relatives seem characters from the past or fables. This trend is the fount for sad, lonely kids, adults and elderly, longing for simple acts of kindness and companionship from all age groups. The challenge that our society is confronted with is of reconnecting with real people. The Minister for Loneliness will have much to do, and the world will be taking cues from this lead role.