On October 1st 2009, more than 500 retired persons took to the streets of Bangalore, Southern India, for a day of rallying on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. After a procession in the city’s avenues, there were speeches by activists and lawyers, as well as music and theatre throughout the day.
In the course of their professional lives, these now-retired persons had built the country’s roads, bridges, shopping centres; they had rolled beedis (small cigarettes), cleaned the streets, looked after houses and gardens. They are now at least 70 years old, but some of them still need to work to provide for their needs. The “senior citizens” of Bangalore and Bijapur’s slums have formed the Aikyata Federation, comprising 70 associations and 4000 members. Fedina, a Frères des Hommes partner, supports them.
The mobilisation of senior citizens, both in the streets and during negotiations with authorities, has already led to some progress: a rise in pension from 50 rupees (less than 1 €) to 400 rupees (barely 6 €), reduction of fares on Bangalore buses and the recognition of the right to one meal a day. On October 1st, they reminded the authorities that this was not enough for them to live on. They demanded that pensions be raised to 1500 rupees (about 22 €), a welfare system to cover medical expenses and the title deeds of their houses.
