The silver economy makes about 8.6% of India’s population, with such a significant number, their voice and opinion is also of utmost importance.

The government has come up with various initiatives, in diverse fields to help the senior citizens voice their opinions and participate in the decision making in one of the largest democracies of the world. Some of these include –

1. Participate in decision making by using their right to vote
2. Participating in citizen welfare assoications  – Elderly council Pune (right to form associations – article 19)
3. Participating in social audits, carried out by the government to ensure transparency – Pune has an elderly citizen association that acts as an advisory body to PMC.
4. Participating in gram panchayat – to keep their opinion

Other include

1. Pension scheme – to give the financial independence to senior citizens in old age, so that they are empowered to make their own decisions.
2. SAGE portal – encourages youth to think of the problems faced by the youth and come up with innovative solutions.
   E.g., – Good fellow app, by Shantanu Naidu
3. SACRED – for re-employment with dignity
4. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana – This component offers assisted living devices to senior citizens who qualify and suffer from age-related disabilities. These devices help improve their bodily functions and enable them to overcome their disabilities.
   A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, which would then help senior citizens partake in decision making.

Therefore, the senior citizens also deserve a life of respect and dignity and these schemes empower them to do the same.