The Indian Constitution offers every citizen the many rights to safeguard them against any kind of exploitation. Sadly, 86% of Indian senior citizens do not know about the rights which can help them live a respectable and dignified life. Let us be more aware about these to find our place in the community. The 5 most important Rights of Senior Citizens in India are:

1) Article 41: Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases The State shall, within the limits of economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want.

2) Article 46: Promotion of educational and economic interests The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

3) Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: The Act aims at providing maintenance to senior citizens in order to prevent their destitution. It also seeks to protect the life and property of the senior citizens.

4) Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 Under Section (20) of Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956: Parents are entitled to claim maintenance from their son as well as their daughter if they are unable to maintain themselves. This right extends to both natural and adoptive parents. However step parents having their own children cannot claim maintenance from their step-children.

5) Muslim Personal Law: Under the Muslim personal law, both son and daughter are bound to maintain their parents who are poor if they have means to do so. Since the concept of adoption does not exist in the Muslim community, the personal law is silent on the right to maintenance of adoptive parents. ~ It is important to understand all our rights and responsibilities. Senior members of the society are a blessing to the community and our country. We must always respect and care for them; help them walk shoulder to shoulder with the young generation. Remember- We, too will be old one day.