Minister calls for end to abuse of elders

Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh has called for an end to elder abuse in T&T. He was at the time delivering the feature address  during an Indian Arrival Day dinner at the Esperanza Shiv Mandir in central Trinidad. Indarsingh said he was very much saddened to learn how the elderly nationals are being treated in certain circles. He said some in society are now caught up in a web of disrespect, individualism, greed and selfishness.

The former labour union leader said he has been bombarded with horror stories of elderly abuse at his constituency offices. “Over the past two years as an Member of Parliament, I know it was existing but I did not know it was existing on such a widespread scale. “This is after their tremendous sense of sacrifice the younger generation seems to be hell-bent on having them either will over their property and belongings and in certain instances benefits as pensioners on their behalf.

“It is sad to say that persons within the community are coming to my office for help, crying out for assistance. “I am saying to you as a community after 167 years we have a responsibility to ensure those who would have given their blood, sweat and tears and made tremendous sacrifices to enjoy the current status we enjoy as proud members of the East Indian community.

“We also have a significant responsibility to ensure that those who would have made tremendous sacrifices their lives would be in some level of comfort and respect,” Indarsingh said.