Don't raise age bar for concession, senior citizens urges railways

 The speculation gathered steam as previously it was decided not to bring the rail travel concession back after it was stopped during Covid.

A senior citizen group has written to the railway's ministry, requesting not to increase the cut-off age of senior citizens for travel concessions. Recently, there were reports that the government was considering increasing the cut-off age to 70 years for males and 65 years for females. The speculation gathered steam as previously it was decided not to bring the rail travel concession back after it was stopped during Covid.

The senior citizen group has said that the average life expectancy for males is less than 70 years as per 'SRS (sample registration system) Based Abridged Life Tables, 2015-19', which was recently released by the registrar general and census commissioner's office. As per the SRS report, the national average stood at 69.7 but for males, it was 68.4 while for females it was 71.1.

Prior to the pandemic, the cut-off age for the concession was 60 for men or transgender, and 58 for women. Concessions were given in all classes in the basic fare of mail and express trains; not to mention, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Duronto group of trains. The concession was 40 per cent for men or transgender and 50 per cent for women. The concessions were not admissible in passenger trains.

Silver Innings Group, an NGO working for issues of senior citizens, has asked Union minister of state for railways Raosaheb Danve to reconsider the decision. “We have written to the government to reconsider the issue based on the data received through RTI and SRS report. The standing committee has said that the concessions should be restored,” said Silver Linings Group founder president Sailesh Mishra.

As per RTI's reply to Mishra, the number of senior citizens, who availed concessions in the three-year period before the pandemic, is 11.11 crore in 2017-18, 12.02 crore in 2018-19 and 12.07 crore in 2019-20. In the same period, the revenue missed due to concessions stood at Rs 1,492 crore for 2017-18, Rs 1,636 crore for 2018-19 and Rs 1,667 crore for 2019-20.

Asserting that the decision to stop concession during the pandemic was reasonable as the railways were financially-hit, Mishra reasoned, “But, now things have opened up and trains have been restored to their original schedule. It is a huge loss for senior citizens in urban and rural areas as railways are the fastest and cheapest mode of transport for them.” If public employees and elected representatives can get relief in their travel, why should senior citizens not get any relief? Earlier, the age difference was five to seven years between husband and wife. If a male will not be able to travel, how will a female go? Because the cut-off excludes most males as per their age, people in rural areas will suffer more, Mishra underscored.

Sailesh Mishra from NGO working for the elderly said, "We have written to the government to reconsider the issue based on the data. If public employees and elected representatives can get relief in their travel, why should senior citizens not get any relief?

Post courtesy : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-dont-raise-age-bar-for-concession-senior-citizens-urges-railways 

#Silverinnings #Seniorcitizens #Railways #India #Discount #Concession #Pandemic #Oldage #SaileshMishra 

Travel & rediscover yourself - A new mantra for Fifty Plus !

Travelling itself is a delight for one and all. It is a channel to unwind from your daily routine. It is a golden opportunity for you to detach from life’s tensions and worries. So, why not take this opportunity to actually travel around, rediscover and energize yourself?

Picture Courtesy: http://heeraholidays.com/speciality-tours-golden-age/

So, let us begin our unique journey into the world around to know the real you which lies within…

There are several ways in which you can relax and refresh yourself. You can travel with a group of close friends whom you meet in the park, your residential area or in the Senior Citizen’s group. You may travel with your long time friends (College or school buddies) as well for a change from daily routine. According to Adam Siddiq on Lifehack.org, travelling helps to know diverse lifestyles and cultures. Adam has quoted, “To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” – Danny Kaye; Adam says that it is a way to rediscover yourself, make lot of friends and experience the inter-connectedness of humanity. Moreover Katie Leimkuehler states on Lifehack.org that travelling helps to broaden your perspective.

It is a very creative and mentally satisfying way to experience various cultures, lifestyles and learn on the go! It helps you to look at life from an altogether different angle at your silver age (A creative term for old age)! The travel experiences make you learn about the place where you stay; you also get a chance to mingle with the local residents while finding your way to a tourist spot. And, within sometime you start becoming familiar to the place and people. In turn, those local residents too, become friendly with you. You can begin to live a renewed life when you travel for couple of days. Such a renewed span of your life turns you into a refreshed, energized person. And you happily return to your daily life with immense satisfaction which is very essential for your good health - mental and physical.

According to ineedmotivation.com, a quick walk is helpful for being physically fit. And, light exercises with your doctor’s consultation and advice is also a great way to be healthy. Apart from this, it states that actual interaction with friends and visiting some new places with them is essential to lessen boredom. These smart ways can help you fight boredom, loneliness and depression.

In addition to these, there are certain hobbies which you can enjoy even on the go! Those are hobbies like painting, paper-art like Origami or paper quilling to engage yourself in a creative way. While, bird-watching or playing games like chess, carrom while travelling with your friends are also lovely ways of being active.

So, enjoy your silver life with evergreen and refreshing travel destinations…and equally active, refreshing friends!! Get set go!!

By Sneha Tipnis

About Author: 

Sneha Tipnis is a freelance writer from India. She has been writing for online writers’ platforms like writersbureau.com, Triond, Authspot and Bookstove.  She writes content for websites, brochures, blogs and social media updates. She’s an English Literature Graduate and Masters in Educational Technology – Computer Applications (MET-CA). She has worked in the e learning industry for a year pertaining to Masters Degree. She’s a student of The Writers Bureau  (A renowned Writing College in UK), Manchester, London.

You can connect with Sneha on her blog: goldentipsmumbai.blogspot.in , Google+, LinkedIn and Facebook page Thoughts, Feelings and Expressions.