Brinda Runghsawmee
13 July 2007
opinion
Port Louis — The ministry of Social security has set up a unit for the Protection of the elderly. This is a laudable initiative indeed. The officers working in this unit are well-trained and genuinely care for the old people.
It's true that some elderly people in Mauritius are being abused by their children or relatives. They are not being cared for: having their food, their bath at the proper time; are being insulted and even not getting their pension. This is what Mr Edoo from the ministry of Social security said on television.
But there is the other side of the story when an elderly is not the victim of abuse from close ones. I'll tell you a story. Mrs X is almost 80. She is a strict vegetarian. She wants her children to care for her and they have to become vegetarians. They live in her house. She imposes her rules on them: she fasts a lot; she prays a lot. What if her children follow other faiths and live their lives as they wish? But she won't allow it. Then, for those children, who have never tasted freedom in their parents' home because females cannot choose for themselves: their parents choose their careers, husbands, beliefs.
The females have to leave their mum's house or else they'll become mad. They decide to live their lives. They care for their mum differently. The woman is often complaining: she's not eating properly. Her daughters tell her: "I'll bring vegetarian food for you every day."
But the elderly upright woman refuses: "How can I eat food cooked by non vegetarians!"
The poor woman gathers an army of sympathisers round her: "My children neglect me; they are selfish. When I need to go to the bank, they say they can't get permission from their boss!"
The elderly woman forgets to add that her daughters have begged her to open a joint account so that whenever she needs money, they can withdraw it for her. But she is afraid her daughters will steal her money!
Who are the victims? It makes you think: a nasty person can be anybody: child, adult or elderly.
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