Orpheus could only bring back his wife from the portals of Death, although he was all but successful in achieving the impossible.
Old is gold because of the wisdom it acquires but age becomes a bar in the way of using that wisdom for a long while. Old age is accompanied by the waning away of both one’s physical and mental abilities. Senility sets in to ruin the wisdom of the old. It is in this context that the report compiled by the ICSSR – NERC under the sponsorship of the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya is a path – breaking pointer. Old age is inevitable, and with the modern medicare at our disposal, the percentage of the old in the population is on the rise all over the country and especially in Meghalaya. The report points out that while in the decade ending in 1991 the population of the old in Meghalaya was just about 30% of the total population of the state. However, the same went up in the next decadal assessment by 4%. This should make us sit up and think.
Thought leads to action and that is the process which this report christened ‘Ageing in Meghalaya’ should set in motion. Compiled and penned by C. Joshua Thomas and Fiasta T. Diengdoh, the 87 page – long effort should make its producers proud of its excellent get up, professionally worked photographs and wonderful paper quality. Originally named ‘The Magnitude of the Problems of Elderly Persons in Meghalaya’, the report was finally published under its present name for the sake of brevity and balance. Stating the context of the report and what it envisages to achieve, the authors tell us in the preface: “The objective of this sample survey was to assess the general profile of the elderly in the state, their socio – economic status as well as the health and age – related issues. Through this exercise, it is hoped, the department will be able to formulate appropriate policies for the elderly in Meghalaya…”
‘The report, therefore, is not an exhaustive study…’
‘It is generally viewed that being a matrilineal society, in which traditional customs and values are deeply entrenched, the elderly are well looked after in Meghalaya, and so until recently, there has been little focus on the quality of life of the elderly population in Meghalaya.
‘This sample survey, even if it has been done on a small scale, indicates that with changing time, certain problems are affecting the elderly population in Meghalaya too, which deserve attention and mitigation.
The report is divided into seven chapters of more or less equal length. Of these, the last one presents a summary of the report along with recommendations and suggestions for future action. The findings are presented with adequate figures, charts, tables and graphs. That makes the sample survey thorough as well as credible.
Some general details hold good for the elderly in any society anywhere in the country. We know that with an increase in age length the physical and mental capabilities of a person deteriorate. The degeneration sets in generally at the age of sixty or sixty – five. People usually retire at that age, and that gives rise to financial constraints as well. The aged often feel neglected and are sadly aware of their diminishing need and ability. This often leads to psychological problems. These days of hectic competition leave little time for the young who can not sit with the old for a while even if they want to. Industrialisation and urbanisation have spawned nuclear families in which there is very little space for the old. These are serious issues that cry for immediate attention. The immediacy is brought home to us when we realise that in a couple of years senior citizens would comprise one – third of India’s population.
Meghalaya is far from lagging behind here. From 1991 to 2001, the growth in this grey area of population has been from 30% to slightly above 34%, which is more than the national average growth. The old are traditionally looked after and valued in our state. But a gradual erosion of traditional values, coupled with an increase in nuclear families, is changing the scenario fast. Means limited by poverty do not allow many to look after their old properly. This is more of a rural problem than an urban one. Homes for the old are coming up through the initiatives of the government, the missionaries and the N.G.Os. Some of the established organisations try t look into the psychological aspects of old age too.
The report gives us a comprehensive account of what is being done in this field both nationally and locally. The rider is that we are always in need of greater concern and initiatives for the aged.
‘Ageing in Meghalaya’ is an admirable effort that speaks volumes of the sincerity and hard work of the people involved in it. But like every commendable report, it is a bit too dry. We come to know about the aged and their problems but do not get to see their faces. One remembers in this connection the two books by Ms. Bilaris Lyndem on literacy drives in Meghalaya. The use of language in the book often leaves something to be desired.
Notwithstanding all these, ‘Ageing in Meghalaya’ is definitely a landmark publication and should set the ball rolling for greater social reforms.

Prof. P. P. Dhar