Treating the elderly as contributors rather than beneficiaries marks a paradigm shift in welfare policy. Discuss with reference to recent government initiatives.

India's 60+ population is projected to grow from about 10 crore (8.4%) in 2011 to 23 crore (14.9%) by 2036 [1]. Policy is starting to treat older persons as mentors and keepers of knowledge, not only as people who receive pensions and shelter. This is a real paradigm shift, but it is not yet complete.

Nature of the shift

• Old model, the care-recipient: under AVYAY, the state provides institutional care. This includes senior citizen homes under IPSrC and free assistive devices under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana [2].
• New model, participation: the Ministry calls Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan a social movement, "not merely a welfare campaign". It treats seniors as active contributors [1].
• Global backing: WHO names intergenerational contact as one of three proven strategies against ageism [3].

Recent initiatives reflecting it

• 5C model: Connect, Converse, Co-create, Contribute and Continue. It makes elders co-creators of community projects [1].
• Vayo SAATHI: volunteers aged 18+ register on the SCW SAMAVESH Portal or JEEVAN App. They act as friends and connectors for seniors at the grassroots [1].
• Two-way exchange: themes such as 'Teach Me – I'll Teach You' and 'Digital Dada-Dadi' are built on swaps. Seniors share heritage and skills, and young people teach digital literacy and how to spot cyber fraud [1].
• Shared ownership: MoUs with civil-society bodies and a Handbook for States and Districts spread responsibility beyond the Centre [1].

Limits of the shift

• Poverty, not just loneliness: over 40% of the elderly are in the poorest wealth quintile, and about 18.7% have no income [4]. Mentoring roles cannot pay for food or medicine.
• Reach gap: most digitally enabled volunteers live in cities. Migration, however, leaves elders isolated in villages [1].
• Gender blind spot: widowhood and owning fewer assets make older women more dependent [4]. Yet none of the campaign's themes targets them.
• Risk of offloading duty: talk of "shared responsibility" must not weaken the state's own obligations. Services like Elderline 14567, which sends field teams in abuse cases, remain essential [5].

The contributor approach restores dignity and agency to older people. However, it can only add to income and care support, not replace them. Pairing the Abhiyan with wider pension cover, more care homes and measurable outreach targets would make the shift lasting. That would also give full effect to Article 41, which directs the state to provide public assistance in old age.