Written By Kashif Shamim Siddiqui
When we talk about elder persons, the image of aging parents immediately comes to mind—especially those who are abandoned or left to suffer in silence. They are the very people who once nurtured us with unconditional love, yet in the autumn of their lives, many face neglect, loneliness, and heartbreak.
Every year, the International Day of Older Persons reminds us of the dignity, wisdom, and sacrifices of our elderly. It is a day meant to honor them—but for countless parents and grandparents, it passes like every other day: unnoticed, overshadowed by loneliness, abandonment, and silent suffering.
From the very beginning of a child’s life, parents dedicate themselves to unconditional love. They sacrifice meals, wear old clothes, work multiple jobs, and endure endless hardships so their children can grow up with opportunities and respect.
Their lives revolve around nurturing, protecting, and guiding. Yet tragically, when the twilight of life arrives, many parents find themselves left behind—forgotten by the very children they raised with sleepless nights and aching hearts.
Across Pakistan, the plight of the elderly is worsening. Old age homes, once a rare phenomenon in our culture, are now filled with abandoned parents. Some were sent away because their children felt they were a “burden.” Others still live in their homes but are emotionally exiled—confined to a room, rarely spoken to, treated like an obligation rather than a blessing.
The most heartbreaking cases are those of abuse, where parents endure verbal assaults or even physical harm from their own offspring.
Even in death, neglect continues. There are stories of children who, upon losing a parent, call welfare organizations to handle funeral rites—outsourcing grief with money, instead of honoring the memory of the souls who gave them life. No final embrace, no prayers whispered, just a door closed forever on the ones who once opened it with love.
But not all is lost. Rays of hope shine through the darkness. Many sons and daughters remain devoted, standing by their parents in every phase of life. Daughters, especially, often remain deeply connected even after marriage—caring with tenderness and love. These children live by the teachings of faith: the Hadith that says “Heaven lies under the feet of mothers” and the Quranic verses that command kindness and honor toward parents. Such children not only gain peace and blessings in this life but also a promise of high rank in the hereafter.
Yet, as society modernizes, human connection seems to weaken. Technology connects us to the world, but often disconnects us from our own families. The younger generation must be taught the true value of parents—through schools, dramas, films, social media campaigns, and community initiatives. Awareness is vital, but more than that, empathy must be nurtured.
We must remember: no success is real if it comes at the cost of breaking a parent’s heart. True success is measured by the prayers of our parents, whispered with tears of joy, not sorrow.
On this World Day of Elder People, let us move beyond symbolic gestures. Let us pledge not to let our elders spend their final years in loneliness or despair. Let us give them the same warmth, care, and love they once gave us—because their happiness is not only our responsibility but also our greatest blessing.
