Telangana: Senior citizens say can't dial '100' for errands

Hyderabad: During the current pandemic scare, while the state government and city police have been advising senior citizens, especially those above 60, to stay at home and dial '100' for any emergencies or even to purchase groceries, many of the senior citizens are finding it unfeasible, but are left with no other option.

Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) M Mahender Reddy had tweeted a few days back stating that the elderly were advised to stay at home and should not even step out for essentials. "During #Lockdown people of age group above 60yrs are requested, not to come into public spaces as they are at higher risk from #Covid19. They shall be advised to #StayHome and will not be allowed to come out even fo ressentials. Can #Dial100 to get the things done, If living alone," read his tweet.

However, senior citizens question how they can depend on 'Dial 100' for small but essential requirements.

Mandadi Krishna Reddy, managing trustee, Elders Clubs International Foundation, said these restrictions will be beneficial for the 10 per cent population but not for the rest. Most of the elders stay alone as their kids are settled in other cities or country. Many elders above 60 still work and for them this won't be beneficial." There are other essential needs also to be taken care of, besides food by the government viz., medicines and banking work. If the government is serious, it should distribute free food, free medicines and should credit some amount in their accounts for miscellaneous expenses, he added.

B Prasad, 72, who resides in East Anandbagh alone as his only son stays in United States for his studies, said, "For any emergency, we can dial '100' and then the police would respond to us. However, there would be several small issues that we need to independently take care of, such as buying essentials. We are not used to technology so as to order online. We don't even like to bother neighbours all the time. We are not even interacting much with anyone these days; so we have to deal with such issues on our own."