Elderly in Rural India:A Sociological Analysis

Abstract

India is the second largest country in terms of aged population.Statistics reveal that 80% of India’s elderly live in villages. With thetechnological breakthrough and the advancement in the medical field.the life expectancy of elderly has increased by four to five years. But alonger life does not mean a necessarily a happier one. Studies showthat despite the growing numbers among the elderly rural people almostall the economic social and health indicators point to the rural being
far poorer and less healthy than that of their urban counter parts. Thispaper makes an attempt to study the process of ageing in rural India. Italso highlights the triple jeopardy faced especially by the women inrural India. The author has also emphasized on how quality life can beensured to these groups of people by following the emancipationperspective. This would rightfully guarantee that the aged are notexcluded from society.