The Truth: We’re Failing the Very People Who Never Failed Us.

Close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breathe.

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Remember the warm embrace of your grandmother, the comforting scent of her sari or any of her favourite outfits, the wrinkles on her face that seemed to tell a thousand stories. Can you hear her voice, soft and melodious, as she sang you to sleep? These memories, so precious, so vivid — they’re the foundation of who we are.

Now, open your eyes to the harsh reality many of our elders face today.

Picture Mrudu Aai (Indian Name), a woman who could be your own grandmother. Her hands, once strong enough to knead dough for your favourite sweets, now tremble as she reaches out for a touch of human warmth. The eyes that lit up at your every achievement now gaze blankly out the window of an old age home, waiting for a visit that may never come.

How many times have you thought about visiting your grandparents but put it off because life got “too busy”?

How often have you scrolled past posts about abandoned elders, feeling a pang of guilt, but then quickly distracted yourself with the next viral video?

We’ve all been there.

We’ve all made excuses.

But it’s time we faced the truth: we’re failing the very people who never failed us.

Think back to your childhood. Remember the times you skinned your knee and ran crying to your grandfather? He didn’t just patch you up, he made you laugh, turning your tears into giggles. Now, in his fading years, who’s there to comfort him when he’s in pain?

And what about the children who never knew such love? The ones in orphanages, whose eyes light up at every visitor, hoping this might be the day someone chooses them? We drop by on holidays, distribute sweets, take a few photos for social media, and leave feeling good about ourselves.Seriously?

But what happens to these children when the lights go out and the visitors leave? Who holds them when nightmares strike?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, to think, “What difference can I make?”

But again here’s the beautiful truth: you can change someone’s world with just your presence.

Imagine being the reason an elderly person smiles today. Picture yourself becoming the constant in an orphaned child’s life, the one they can count on, week after week. It’s not about grand gestures or hefty donations. It’s about showing up, consistently, with an open heart.

To those who have distanced themselves from their parents, I urge you to reconsider. The hands you’re avoiding once guided your first steps. The voice you’re ignoring once cheered your smallest victories. Your life, your success — it’s all built on their love and sacrifice. Is it really too much to give some of that back?

And for all of us who claim to care, it’s time to transform that care into action. Next weekend, instead of binge-watching that new series, why not visit the local old age home? Bring a board game, or just your willingness to listen. You might be surprised at how much wisdom and laughter you’ll find there.

For those eager to help children, consider becoming a mentor or a regular visitor at an orphanage. Be the adult you needed when you were young. Show them that they are worthy of love and attention, that their dreams matter.

Remember, in helping others, we help ourselves. We rediscover our capacity for deep, meaningful connections.

We create a world where love isn’t a fleeting emotion but a sustained action.

Let Mrudu Aai’s story be your call to action. Let it awaken the dormant compassion within you. Reach out to the elders in your life, to those who need you. Be the bridge between loneliness and love, between abandonment and belonging.

Because one day, we too will be old. We too might find ourselves searching for a kind word, a gentle touch. And in that moment, we’ll understand the true value of the love we’ve given — and received.

Don’t wait for tomorrow.Love now.

Care now.Be the change you wish to see, starting with those who shaped your past and those who will inherit your future.

After all, isn’t this what makes us truly human? Isn’t this what life is really about?

Your small acts of kindness, your consistent presence — they can light up someone’s world. So, what will you do today to make a difference?