Srinagar, July 1 -- A civilized society is not defined only by the opportunities it creates for the young, the ambitious and the able-bodied. It is also defined by the protection it extends to its senior citizens who have once contributed towards the building of the nation and now require support beyond the normal family structures. In that sense, the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana is more than a welfare scheme; it is a statement about the kind of country India wants to become.

As per the estimates, the population of the country's senior citizens was approx. 10 Crores in 2011 and is projected to rise to 23 Crores in 2036. The traditional family structures are transforming the country. Migration, emergence of nuclear families, smaller househo...