The Hidden Plight of Elderly Isolation in Kashmir
Srinagar: In a snug living room, adorned with lace curtains, Atiqa Begum sits in one corner, her legs draped by a quilt. A gas heater, positioned at the center, exhales comforting warmth that counters the crisp chill seeping through the windowpanes. Surrounded by family, the room is filled with the murmur of distant conversations — not among the family members sharing the space, but emanating from the digital devices held by each one.
Amid the quiet tapping of fingertips on phone screens, Atiqa’s eyes wander from one family member to another, a subtle longing in her gaze. Atiqa, who is in her early 80s, remains a silent observer – a poignant silence echoing the unspoken reality of a generation experiencing a unique form of isolation, one that exists amidst the company of
VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE
loved ones.
"I feel a bit lost, even when everyone's around. I miss the days when we would talk face to face, share stories, and feel the closeness. It's not the same, just being in the same room but lost in devices." Atiqa said.
"I don’t know how am I supposed to pass my time. Ever since he left, I feel lonely," she added, while looking at the picture of her late husband that hung prominently on a wall.
As social interactions have increasingly migrated to virtual spaces, older individuals may feel left behind, struggling to navigate a realm that seems foreign and impersonal. The prevalence of social media, video calls, and online platforms becomes a stark reminder of a technological and generational gap prevalent in our society.
Studies define loneliness as the emotional state or subjective experience of feeling isolated, disconnected, or lacking meaningful social connections. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than onethird of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and