Population ageing is a process no longer confined to industrialized countries. Many developing
countries are now also experiencing ageing of their populations reflected by the rising share
of the elderly in the total population. Not only are developing countries ageing they are
ageing at a much faster rate and at a much earlier stage of economic development thus placing
them at a greater disadvantage in terms of their ability to respond to ageing developments. The
availability of domestic resources for example to finance ageing pressures on public finances
and public services are likely to be more limited. In addition the political timeframe
available to formulate and implement appropriate policy responses will be shorter. Developing
countries are confronting ageing pressures at a time when social security coverage is still
limited to a minority of the better-off elderly population and when the systems of protection
which have supported the elderly in the past are gradually eroding. Old age is commonly
associated with retirement illness and dependency. Most government jobs have set the
retirement age at sixty. However in a country such as India where no universal social
security exists people tend to work as long as they can: About seventy percent of the elderly
in India still work like the rest of the adults. It is important to recognize the strengths of
the old and empower them rather than to adopt a paternalistic attitude that can have
devastating impact on the self-esteem of the elderly citizens. This study takes a close look at
silver workers in Vadodara India who are working in their retirement age. By undertaking such
a research the government and civil society will be enabled to provide a better work
environment for the silver workers.
